Will You Step Up and Help With Mental Health Awareness?

We often carry around misconceptions about mental illness that add to the stigma, struggle, and unnecessary suffering. You might even hold some of the beliefs I once had. Let’s strike down those false beliefs together. Will you join me and step up and help with mental health awareness?

As a nation, we’ve made significant strides in talking about mental health and illness. Yet, stigma, misinformation, and barriers to care persist. Many people still don’t seek help and, therefore, go untreated. We can help change that by adding our voices through conversations and sharing accurate information,

The Need for Mental Health Awareness

When mental illness first became apparent in my family, I didn’t know where to turn or how to help. I felt like a failure because I could not take my child’s unexpected pain away. To make matters worse, I held onto many false beliefs about mental health disorders. Perhaps you can relate to some of these.

Common Myths and Truths About Mental Illness

Myth: Mental illness isn’t real; it’s all in the mind. 

Truth: Mental illness is real, like any other medical condition. 

Acceptance is one of the most complicated aspects to grasp. However, learning to accept the reality of the illness leads to more understanding and opens up the opportunity for change to occur. Without acceptance, one most likely won’t start seeking treatment. 

Myth: People with a mental illness are weak and have character flaws.

Truth: Those fighting mental illness are incredibly strong, facing challenges most of us will never know. Their perseverance is genuinely admirable.

Myth: Mental illness only affects the person diagnosed.

Truth: Mental illness impacts the entire family and those close to the person. Everyone needs encouragement and support.

Myth: The only one that needs to change is the person with a mental illness.

Truth: Outcomes significantly improve when family members are willing to make changes and do the hard work alongside their loved ones.

Myth: Mothers can fix anything. 

Truth: Mothers can offer support, understanding, and education, but they cannot “fix” mental illness. 

Myth: Miracles only count when God completely heals mental illness.

Truth: Miracles come in all sizes, forms, and time frames. Learning to count the little ones along the way is vital because, eventually, the small ones add up to a mighty big one. Improved outcomes often come through a combination of faith, medicine, and support.

Myth: Parents are always to blame for their child’s mental illness.

Truth: There is a biological component to mental illness, and parents are not to blame. However, the home environment is essential and can improve, trigger, or worsen symptoms. Improving relationships and learning what helps can make a huge difference.

Myth: Support groups are just a place to complain.

Truth: There are all kinds of support groups, and everyone in the family needs support. When we share aloud and hear the stories of others walking through a similar circumstance, the load feels lighter as we recognize that we are not alone. However, adding education and skills to a support group is beneficial.

Myth: Everyone has a little bit of mental illness.

Truth: While everyone has mental health that requires care, mental illness is a medical condition with specific criteria. With a mental health diagnosis, behavior, thinking, or emotions can often impact daily functions and relationships. Yes, we all have quirks, challenges, and struggles to overcome, but it is essential to recognize the difference between these and a mental illness.

Improving our mental health is essential for all of us, not solely those with an illness. Exercise, healthy food choices, socializing, rest, and therapy can help.

What myth would you like to dispel? Please add it to our comments.

Why We Need to Help Spread Mental Health Awareness

I’ve spent countless hours in hospitals and treatment centers, visiting loved ones. The pain of watching others suffer is almost unbearable. On a few occasions, an unknown girl would wander near. With a stooped posture and tears in her eyes, she would brush up against me, making sure our skin touched. Then, several times, another girl would boldly ask, “Can I sit beside you? My mother doesn’t visit anymore.”

My heart would shatter into a million pieces even though I understood what it was like to watch an unexpected mental illness threaten to take your child under. I often prayed, “Lord, please don’t let our pain be in vain. Show me how to navigate this suffering and give me the strength to help others.”

God gets all the credit for walking with me every step. He equips me and gives me strength, peace, and courage. He provided people willing to step into our messy lives. Some point us towards help, others sit with us, and many pray. 

People Need Help

When a friend suggested I attend a support group for caregivers, I was hesitant. But I nodded and thanked her because it felt good to know someone cared. In desperation, I drove across town alone to attend one night. One by one, people would share, and I found some gave me hope for a better future, and other stories made me recognize how far we had come. However, as I drove away that night, I kept repeating, “There is no way I’m joining that club.” Then, as I pulled into my driveway, I realized that I was already a member, whether I liked it or not, and what I could gain was immeasurable.

Education, Skills, and Support Help

There is such value in education, life-changing skills, and support. Perhaps your family isn’t directly affected by mental illness however someone you know might be. Sharing a post about mental health on your social media could open the door for someone else.

If the mothers of those girls I mentioned above had the support, education, or life-changing skills they needed, perhaps they would have been sitting beside me. Let’s spread mental health awareness so people know where to turn and don’t give up or burn out. No one should travel this road alone.

Step Up and Help With Mental Health Awareness

Mental Health America was founded in 1909 by Clifford W. Beers after witnessing the terrible abuse in public and private institutions. This organization started Mental Health Awareness Month in 1949, and each year, they choose a new theme. You can learn more on our Mental Health Awareness page, but let’s not only spread awareness during May.

There are many ways to get involved, especially during May. Visit our mental health awareness page to find out how you can help. But let’s not only spread awareness during that month. A simple start is sharing this post on your social media.

Will you step up and help with mental health awareness? Please share how you plan to make a difference.

Embracing Faith & Mental Illness Community

Embracing Faith & Mental Illness is a Christ-centered online community for people who care for someone with a mental illness. We have four unique ways for caregivers to participate. You choose what works best for you.

Click here to discover four unique ways for caregivers to participate.

Upcoming Talk: When Your Loved One Has a Mental Illness Is Change Possible?

Feeling stuck, discouraged, or unsure if things can ever improve? This talk is for you. Maree Dee, Founder of Embracing Faith & Mental Illness, invites you to explore:

• Practical tools to help you move forward with renewed hope.
• Steps to take when progress feels out of reach.
• How small changes can lead to meaningful breakthroughs.

Join us for this inspiring session via Zoom on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 9:00 AM (Mountain Time).

Register For Our Zoom Talk

We would love to have you join our community.

Embracing the Unexpected | Maree Dee

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