Saturday, October 10, is World Mental Health Day. And America, we need to have an honest conversation about mental health—not just one day a year, but every single day.
Mental health is a serious issue affecting millions of people across America and around the world. Yet, somehow, we still live in a society where people are mocked, ridiculed, and criticized for admitting they are struggling.
Recently, a so-called ESPN reporter criticized and made fun of Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Lane Johnson over his decision to step away from football amid mental health struggles and reportedly having both parents dealing with health issues. The reporter later attempted to apologize, but the apology came across as forced rather than sincere.
Let me be clear: THERE IS NOTHING FUNNY ABOUT SOMEONE STRUGGLING WITH THEIR MENTAL HEALTH!
We celebrate athletes for playing through physical injuries. We call them tough when they push through pain. But when someone acknowledges that they are struggling mentally and needs to step away, suddenly some people turn it into a punchline.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH US?
Mental health struggles don’t make you weak. Asking for help doesn’t make you a failure. Taking time to care for yourself doesn’t make you less of a man, woman, parent, spouse, friend, or professional.
IT MAKES YOU HUMAN!
We need to stop telling people to toughen up and start asking how we can help. We need to stop making jokes about struggles we may never fully understand. And we need to create a culture where people feel safe enough to say, “I’m not okay, and I need help.”
Whether you’re an NFL player, a teacher, a pastor, a first responder, a parent, a student, or someone quietly fighting battles nobody else can see, YOUR MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!
If you’re struggling, please don’t suffer in silence. Reach out to someone you trust. Talk to a mental health professional. Ask for help. You are not alone, and you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
And if someone trusts you enough to share their struggles, respond with compassion instead of criticism.
America, it’s time to wake up! We cannot keep talking about loving our neighbors while laughing at their pain.
Let’s stop stigmatizing mental health and start treating people with the dignity, compassion, and grace they deserve.
Because sometimes the strongest thing a person can do is admit they need help.
And sometimes, the most important thing we can do for someone else is simply remind them that they don’t have to fight alone.
BE KIND. SHOW COMPASSION. END THE STIGMA. MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS! ~OC
If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally, help is available. In the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24 hours a day.
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