Creating a Safe Space for Mental Health Conversations
When I created this blog, my intention was to remain true to myself and to create a safe space for anyone who reads it. September is Suicide Prevention Month – a time when when conversations about mental health are crucial, yet often avoided. Even though the majority of people do struggle with mental health it still seems to be taboo. As someone who has struggled with mental health and gone over hundreds of research articles about mental health while I was in college, I am to share my experience and insights. I don’t claim to be an expert, but I hope my reflections can offer support or guidance.
Struggling with Mental Health
Where do I even begin? This is a heavy topic and I think that is part of why so many people choose to avoid talking about it. While some might post a quick message on social media, deeper discussions are less common—something I’ve found true for myself as well.
I’ve struggled with mental health issues for as long as I can remember, from anxiety and eating troubles to general sadness. Some days, I can pinpoint the cause of my feelings and take steps to address it. Starting with asking myself: “what can I do to make myself feel better for this moment?” When I have control over the issue, I try to act on it and do what I can to improve my mood. However, when the cause is unclear or beyond my control, I focus on distraction. I know that this method may not work for everyone or be the healthiest approach, but it’s an honest part of my experience. This is where I would think of things that can provide me a sort of comfort. I sometimes find temporary relief in activities that bring me joy, like reading or taking a relaxing bath.
When the source of my sadness is unknown, it’s especially challenging. This is an area where I’m still learning and growing.
Resources and Insights
No part of me wants to sit here and yap on and on about my struggles; instead, I want to focus on resources that might help someone.
Recently, I read Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen. This memoir, reflecting on her stay at McLean Hospital where she received treatment after her suicide attempt, is both moving and thought-provoking . Kaysen’s detached narrative allows the reader to really reflect on it. Here are some quotes that I find worth mentioning
- “Every window on Alcatraz has a view of San Francisco” to me this quote shows how there can be contradicting views of someone who struggles with mental illness. You are trapped in this prison but at least you have a view of San Francisco. Relating to mental illness, it is like you are trapped in this space of being sad but you are aware of the good that comes with not being sad. Yet you can’t get there.
- “As far as I could see, life demanded skills I didn’t have” this quote. Speechless. This is comforting in its recognition that many people struggle with feeling inadequate, which is often not discussed enough.
- “Emptiness and boredom: what an understatement. What I felt was complete desolation. Desolation, despair and depression”. This highlights the amount of despair that can accompany mental illness.
- “There is thought and then there is thinking about thoughts, and they don’t feel the same” this quote I think is the main thing I took away. It highlights the complexity of mental processes, and while I am not going to rant about it. I feel it is something worth contemplating.
Another book I read that focuses on feeling lost is The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion. This memoir is a reflection on the journey one takes while going through grief and how memories impact someone. She mainly recounts her husband’s death and the year that follows. Even though I have not lost anyone immediate to me, I still found many things that I took away from the memoir.
- “Life changes in the instant. The ordinary instant.”
- “Grief is different. Grief has no distance. Grief comes in waves, paroxysms, sudden apprehensions that weaken the knees and blind the eyes and obliterate the dailiness of life.”
- “Read, learn, work it up, go to the literature. Information is control.” I find this very significant because for me reading about other people’s experiences and research on similar topics has helped me in my journey.
What you might notice is that I read a lot. Reading is definitely my outlet and my break from the world. I try to read something every once and a while that I can learn something from and Girl, Interrupted was just that for me. It gave me the inspiration to write this post.
Statistics and Support
During my college years, I conducted research on mental health and majored in Psychology. Here are some statistics to underscore the prevalence of mental health struggles:
- According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH), “more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness.”
- The Mental Health of America (MHA) reports that “more than 5% of the U.S. adult population reported experiencing serious thoughts of suicide.”
- According to the NIH, “anxiety disorders are the most common form of mental illness.”
- According to the CDC, “the percent of adults age 18 and older with regular feelings of worry, nervousness, or anxiety: 12.5%”
These statistics illustrate that mental health issues are widespread, and it’s essential to have open conversations about them.
I am now going to put a few links to helpful articles as well:
Overall
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, please seek help. There are so many resources available through a quick search. Remember, you are not alone, and reaching out can make a difference.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you ever need someone to listen feel free to message me on my instagram @the.dailybliss
- Safe Space for Mental Health: Reflecting, Sharing, and Supporting
- August Reads
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