Even the most mentally healthy and stable of people will at some point be affected by mental health issues. Be it their own experience or that of a loved one.
According to the World Health Organization, “One in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. Around 450 million people currently suffer from such conditions, placing mental disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide.”
The lack of conversation and education regarding mental health surprises me, considering the above numbers. The reason so many people feel alone with their mental illnesses is because in a way, they are. Few talk about the harsh realities involved with mental illnesses.
Just because someone does not have a mental illness does not mean that they or someone they love could develop one. Mental health affects EVERYONE. Therefore, everyone should be talking, learning, and caring about mental health.
I am So Bipolar, and unashamed.