“What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.” — Glenn Close

Growing up, mental health was a significant stigma in my community. It was not something openly discussed. In fact, if anyone mentioned struggling with mental illness, it was often dismissed as a joke. People were laughed at and asked, “You’re just playing, right?” Others would accuse them of being lazy, further minimizing their experiences.

No one would ever tell a cancer patient to ‘just get over it.’ Why people think they can tell those with a mental illness as much is baffling.

– SARA ELLA, CORAL

The Impact of Silence and Misunderstanding

Reflecting on those times, I recall the pain in their eyes. They were misunderstood and, to make matters worse, unsupported. Today, while mental health carries less stigma, some people still struggle—especially if the topic of mental health never occurred in their homes. If you grew up distrusting doctors or believing they were only working for “big pharma”, this lack of trust could do more harm than good.

It’s crucial to speak up if you don’t feel like yourself. You know your mind and body better than anyone ever could. Don’t wait for someone else to notice; advocate for yourself and ask for the help you need. Remember, a primary care physician may not be able to diagnose mental illness, so seeking the advise of a psychiatrist, psychologist, or mental health counselor is important.

It’s O.K. to not be O.K., and it’s O.K. to talk about it.

– NAOMI OSAKA

Challenges in Seeking Help

Finding someone trustworthy to talk to about deeply personal issues can be difficult. I understand this firsthand. Despite working in the medical field for most of my career, I struggled to fully trust medical professionals. I often overheard gossip or insensitive comments, which only reinforced my reluctance to share my own experiences. For a long time, I chose to keep everything inside, relying on holistic healing instead of seeking outside help.

Personal Experience: Fighting through depression and PTSD

It was 9 years ago, my very first time as an official single mother. After separating from the ex husband and the father of my children after being together since our teen years, was difficult. The thing is it wasn’t just the separation that hurt, it was all my past trauma present at once.

You see in the new apartment we then resided in there was peace and I was finally free to let it all out. No more holding it together. My nervous system no longer on guard like a watch dog for my family. I finally felt free to have the breakdown that I deserved and needed and I did just that, I cried for days and got lost in my pain sitting with it like it was an old friend demanding my attention.

There were many days , weeks, months I sat with my pain, at first in misery, then in review. Who am I now I asked myself? I remember never wanting to go anywhere, everywhere reminded me of my past, and it was triggering. I felt lost, I felt low, I felt empty.

Understanding the Depth of Mental Illness

I can now say that if I would have received the help I needed during those times, it may have given me the guidance I needed during my healing process. I know what its like to struggle through the hard times without getting the support needed. Believing you just have to deal with it on your own. For a time, I tried to understand these experiences through a spiritual lens, but I have come to realize that mental illness is a profound struggle. If you find it difficult to get out of bed, make yourself something to eat, or feel overwhelmed by negative emotions, this is cry for help that should not be ignored.

The Importance of Professional Support

When someone reaches a point where their willpower is trapped by a heavy weight, affirmations alone are not enough. Professional intervention is necessary to clear the path toward healing. As life coaches, we can do a lot, but we are not medical professionals. I always make this clear in my materials and disclaimers. I deeply respect anyone who seeks the help they need—there is no shame or embarrassment in doing so. It is better to receive appropriate care, even if it feels daunting when you are vulnerable.

Advice for Finding the Right Support

My advice is to find someone you trust—someone who truly has your best interests at heart—and share what you are going through. Let them know you are interested in seeking help. Ask them to assist you in finding a good medical professional. Invite them to accompany you to your first consultation as support, and afterward, ask for their honest feedback about whether the provider is a good fit for you. This support can make a significant difference.

If you have children, it can be especially difficult, but it’s crucial to get them the help they need early on. Life is challenging enough without having to manage internal struggles alone. Early intervention can spare them from greater difficulties as adults.

I try to be strong not only for other people but also myself, but sometimes there are weaknesses in strength and that’s OK, and it’s OK not to be OK, and I’ve taught myself that.

– SIMONE BILES

Moving Toward Solutions Together

These are difficult conversations, but they are necessary. Instead of focusing on blame, we must talk about solutions. Healing is a process that takes time, but it must start somewhere. Everyone is at a different stage in life, and needing help is not a sign of weakness. I used to value my independence above all, but I now understand the importance of community and working together to support one another.

I truly hope this story resonates with you and may encourage and support you or perhaps someone close to you.