I would go to my school counselor 3 times a week. Just talking and opening up helped me because I knew I was doing something to fight back not only how the bullies made me feel but mental health in general. Going to my school counselor allowed me to seek further help. My counselor sent me to the hospital for evaluation, and it helped me find a psychiatrist and therapist. Because I went to the counselor, it gave me the resources of finding professional help outside of school.
It is also important to connect with your psychiatrist/therapist. Do not feel bad if you start to go to them and you do not like it. They can help you effectively when you connect with them. It is about finding the right fight (kind of like finding a college or job that is right for you).
I have found it very helpful by reading others’ feelings, experiences, and knowledge about mental health through Twitter, Facebook, etc.
3. Online Support Groups- this has been extremely helpful for me
IMPORTANT: Remember that online support groups do not replace therapy or professional treatment; they are a useful resource to use in addition to professional treatment.
2. Remind yourself and others that physical and mental health are equal
3. Be compassionate and empathetic to people with mental illness. Simply being kind and accepting others is fighting the stigma.
The world has made mental health seem like an illness that cannot be treated and puts people at a disadvantage. In reality, mental health disorders can be treated, and they can be used as an advantage. For example, I see my battle with mental health as an advantage because I can connect to people and feel more empathy than an average person. I use that to help others.
The first step to fighting mental health is finding and using your recourses. If you are struggling to find resources, speak with a trusted adult such as a teacher or parent to help you find trusted resources. It can be so difficult to find words or find the courage to speak up about how you are feeling; I have been there. I can tell you that there are resources that can help you.
References
Greenstein, L. (2017). 9 ways to fight mental health stigma. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Retrieved from: https://www.nami.org/blogs/nami-blog/october-2017/9-ways-to-fight- mental-health-stigma.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://www.nami.org/home
National Institute of Mental Health (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml.
WRITTEN BY Laurel Zwick