Happy World Mental Health Day 2019

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Today is World Mental Health Day and while there's still the stigma associated with mental illness and the profession of mental health, there are a lot of people in America—many that you may know—who see a doctor monthly for psychotropic medication. Psychotropic is the term used to refer to medication dealing with mental health issues. This political cartoon came through Facebook several weeks ago. And while it is meant to show the perceived injustices of those who legally own guns feel, unfortunately it portrays mental illness as someone who looks “crazy“ or disheveled. (There are, perhaps, other issues this cartoon evokes. However, I shall only be discussing mental health). The truth is that the majority of people with mental illness do not show it. Mental illness is defined as anyone dealing with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, problems using drugs or alcohol, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Mental illness affects almost all of us. If it does not affect you then it probably affects someone in your family or group of friends. If you're diagnosed with a mental illness, hold your head high and know that depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcoholism—none of these define you as a person, just as someone diagnosed with diabetes is not defined by that disease. Today is a day to bring to light taboo topics, but topics that nonetheless affect all of us if only by association. Today is also a day to inspire us to take better care of ourselves emotionally and mentally. Step away from your phones. Get outside. Smell the roses both literally and figuratively. Stop running the rat race for a while to nurture your soul. Go fishing. Grab a coffee. Just take time to be.