I’ve been talking about #mentalhealth for almost a year now. How it can impact families. How little support is actually available. How we need to change out cultural views and taboos concerning mental health.
When someone’s family announces that they have cancer there is an outpouring of support. When it’s mental health people get uncomfortable and awkward.
If it had come out that she had a torn ligament people would be so proud she took care of herself.
This young woman has endured more then most of her critics. She has been scored different then her competitors. She performs feats that no one else on earth has ever done and yet those at home watching the tv think they understand the mental acuity needed to perform such feats under the conditions surrounding her. And not only judge but condemn her for knowing that she is not able to attempt them right now.
Mental health is just as important as physical health. And those around you struggling with mental health see and hear how you are reacting to this. Your child, spouse, mother or brother could be silently suffering and you are now no longer a safe person to confide in or ask for help. (And for the love of God please don’t be arrogant enough to think you would “know” if your love one was dealing with that. There is often no neon sign pointing it out. I guarantee you some one you know and love is suffering right now) so just stop. Stop! Stop finding reasons to tear people down. Stop being so harsh. Choose to give people the benefit of the doubt. Choose to be kind. Choose to focus on the positives. Treat people and talk about people and judge people with the same measuring stick you want people to measure you!