Tag: mental illness

Women and Mental Health: Breaking the Stigma and Seeking Support

Published on by The April Diaries1 Comment

Mental health is an integral part of our overall well-being, and it’s something that affects all of us, regardless of gender. However, women often face unique challenges when it comes to mental health, and it’s important to address these issues to ensure that women receive the support they need to thrive.

One of the biggest challenges facing women in regards to mental health is the stigma surrounding mental illness. Unfortunately, mental health is still a taboo topic in many societies, and many people feel ashamed or embarrassed to talk about their struggles with mental health. This stigma can be particularly damaging for women, who may feel like they are supposed to be strong and resilient in the face of challenges.

Another challenge facing women is the fact that they are more likely than men to experience certain mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. According to the World Health Organization, women are nearly twice as likely as men to experience depression, and they are also more likely to experience anxiety disorders.

So, what can women do to prioritize their mental health and break the stigma surrounding mental illness? Here are a few tips:

  1. Talk about it: One of the most powerful ways to break the stigma surrounding mental health is to talk about it openly and honestly. Share your experiences with friends and loved ones, and don’t be afraid to seek support if you’re struggling.
  2. Prioritize self-care: Taking care of your physical and emotional needs is essential for good mental health. Make time for activities that bring you joy and help you relax, such as meditation, yoga, or spending time in nature.
  3. Seek professional help: If you’re struggling with your mental health, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. A mental health professional can provide support and guidance to help you overcome challenges and improve your well-being.
  4. Connect with others: Social support is important for mental health. Make time to connect with friends and loved ones, or consider joining a support group for women.
  5. Advocate for change: Challenge the stigma surrounding mental health by speaking out and advocating for change. Share your story, educate others about mental health, and support organizations that are working to improve access to mental health services.

In conclusion, women face unique challenges when it comes to mental health, but it’s important to remember that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness. By breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness and prioritizing self-care, women can take control of their mental health and live full, healthy lives.

From my coaching website: https://www.hatchpath.io/blog/women-and-mental-health-breaking-the-stigma-and-seeking-support

MORE LIKE THIS: How To Confront… Yourself | Self-Improvement, CHRONIC DIARIES: How I Manage My Anxiety Day-to-Day, Government data reveals the industries with the largest gender pay gap, In Case You Lose Hope | Always Try to Help

2020: the year people will (hopefully) understand mental health

Published on by The April Diaries1 Comment

I’ve been dealing with anxiety and other illnesses my whole life, and it sucks. It sucks because you feel like a burden in addition to feeling judged 24/7. Don’t forget about overthinking, it’s terrible. I’ll admit I’m not as uptight as I used to be about mental health 6 or some years ago, and I wasn’t always a bubbly, confident force to be reckoned with. Mental health is something I learn to navigate, figure out, and educate myself about each and every day. But after 5 years of college, I’ve grown to be fed up about people not understanding mental illness and how much of an impact it can have on someone’s daily life.

After asking the following questions on Instagram, using anxiety as an example. Anxiety, in my opinion, is by far the hardest for other people to understand unless they have it. I posed the question on Instagram: “If you have anxiety, what do you do about it?” Responses varied:

  1. “Journal, listen to music, get outside & talk about it!” — B.C.
  2. “Deep breaths, then unplug from technology for at least an hour, and then exercise!” — Anonymous.

I then asked, “What would you say to people who clearly don’t ‘get it’?” And one person said:

“They don’t have to ‘get it’ but just be respectful of those with anxiety.”

That alone is a perfect response. Is anyone really going to understand anxiety? Or mental illness at large? The answer is “hopefully.” It’s amazing and astonishing how many people can be so ignorant of mental illness. For some people, it’s a hard pill to swallow, and even when they slug it down, it still wouldn’t process. For example, when I have bad days, they’re awful. It’s not like I choose to dive off the deep end. I’ve had people tell me I’m “wasting time” when I’m dealing with something internal when I could be doing something else. That’s unfortunately not how it works. For some, if not a lot of people, mental health can be crippling. It matters just as much as physical health.

What I didn’t realize was that today is Bell Let’s Talk Day. The title of this day alone made me think of the aspect of talking to others. No one should be forced to talk about their mental health. In fact, that violates medical laws. There are some people who don’t even believe in therapy, and that’s okay, too. Everyone has different ways of dealing with mental health. There is no “one way.” Think of the roots of a tree. They sprout in all different directions. Then there are the branches, which do the same. There’s a root cause for why someone may be upset, anxious, depressed — anything! Then you have your whole body which can react in several different ways. Some people can’t get out of bed. Some people choose to isolate themselves. Some people choose to go for a run. Some people immediately get on the phone to book an appointment with a therapist. In the end, it’s up to you what you decide to do.

January was a rough month for everybody, so let us hope that for the rest of 2020, people will learn to understand mental health.