1210212.us16.myftpupload.com Managed WordPress Site

Tag: mental health

  • Is it Time to See a Counsellor? How to Realize It’s Time to Seek Professional Help, and Where to Find It.

    Is it Time to See a Counsellor? How to Realize It’s Time to Seek Professional Help, and Where to Find It.

    Sometimes when we hear the word “counsellor,” it can be easy to fall into the misconception that counselling is a helpful resource designated only to those struggling with a mental health illness. While proper counselling is an excellent tool in coping with mental health struggles, that is not it’s only beneficiary use. Someone may want to seek counselling for a variety of different reasons, not all of which involve having a diagnosed mental illness. A sudden tragedy, feeling increasingly overwhelmed or stressed, or struggling to live a sustainable life are a few potential signs it may be time to consider counselling. Acknowledging the need to see a counsellor is an excellent first step in resolving whatever conflicts may be standing in your path, and achieving your desired goals.

    When is it a good idea to consider counselling?

    With today’s students facing incredible amounts of challenges (not to mention all the curve balls life throws your way), it’s easy to see why proper counselling can be so crucial. Whatever the struggle in your life may be, here are a few key signs it may be time to consider seeking professional guidance to help you through it.

    • Your hardship is causing distress in your life
    • You have faced a tragedy
    • You feel lost, hopeless or stuck
    • Nothing you seem to do appears to fix or help the situation
    • You find yourself thinking/stressing about it constantly
    • You feel completely overwhelmed
    • Your daily life is affected
    • You are feeling depressed or anxious
    • It is hard to handle or cope with the situation
    • Someone has mentioned their concerns about you
    • You have concerns about your own well-being
    • You are losing sleep
    • Your work/academic performance is suffering
    • One or more of your relationships is strained

    Would seeing a counsellor actually be beneficial for me?

    You wouldn’t continue playing soccer with a broken ankle, because you know you’d be doing much more harm than good if you did. Instead, you would go see a doctor and receive the right treatment you need in order to heal. The same should be true with your mental health. Let’s compare it the broken ankle scenario.

    • Noticing the signs that something isn’t quite right would be the same as feeling/seeing that you have broken your ankle.
    • Recognizing you can no longer put yourself through this turmoil could be viewed as removing yourself from the soccer game.
    • Seeking proper treatment from a counsellor is just like going to the hospital to receive proper treatment for your injury.

    While recognizing you have broken your ankle and removing yourself from the game are important first steps, you know those that alone will not heal your ankle. The same is true when it comes to your mental health. Noticing the signs and recognizing something must change are excellent first steps to overcoming your adversity, but they aren’t enough to get you completely back on track. Counsellors provide a safe, judgement free environment along with the support, professional guidance and life-long skill development designed specifically to help you conquer your challenges.

    I think it’s time to see a counsellor, but I heard they can be expensive. Is this even an option for me?

    Many post-secondary institutions in Canada offer counselling services to their students, free of charge. To find the counselling services offered by your institution, visit your institution’s official website under services, or visit your on-campus administration services for more information.

  • Why you deserve a break – how to handle when your world seems overwhelming

    Why you deserve a break – how to handle when your world seems overwhelming

    You deserve a break. At times, life can be engulfing and chaotic. When school, a job, relationships, family, sports or taking part in other things you enjoy come into play, it can be a little stressful to try to maintain an even balance.

    Sometimes, breaking down or stressing yourself out may seem like the best “solution” when your world is overwhelming. Although, the best you can possibly do is to take a break. You may be saying to yourself, “but I have no time to take a break” or “I don’t even know what to do if I take a break”, these are common things we say to ourselves when we are overwhelmed with the situation on hand. All you need is thirty minutes to yourself to feel more balanced and in control of your world.

    Whether you are super overwhelmed or just need an idea for a break, here are a few things to try:

    You are only one person: This isn’t much of something to try however a friendly reminder. Remember that your physical, mental and emotional health is far more important than what you are overwhelmed with. You are only one person and you can only accomplish so much. Take things on one at a time and do only as much as you can handle. You cannot focus all your time and energy into things that are giving you stress; you need to take time for yourself.

    Remember this is only temporary: Being in an overwhelming part of your life or situation, can seem like it is going to last forever. This is not true. Although you have a lot on your plate right now, try to remember that this is only temporary and will be over sooner than you know it. This too shall pass.

    Breathe: Find a quiet, empty room to go into. Sit or lay down on the ground and take deep breaths. Focus on your breathing by breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. This helps you to calm down and to be truly present. You are able to focus on your current state and allow the stress out. Turning the lights off, lighting a candle or turning on a lamp, listening to some soft music or being in still silence may contribute to relaxation as well.

    Spend time with a friend: Friends are great to turn to when you need to take a break or relax. Spending time with them can help you forget about everything that is going on at the moment. Even if it is just for a couple of hours, friends are a great way to cheer yourself up and to take time away from your stressors.

    Dance: What song makes you want to break out into dance and sing your heart out? Put that song on and do just that. Taking a dance break can certainly make you happier and take some of the stress out.

    Do something you enjoy: Pick up something you haven’t done in a while whether it’s working out, writing, reading, watching a movie, swimming, going for a walk, or even simply watching a funny YouTube video. It’s hard to take time for yourself when your life seems overwhelming. Taking thirty minutes to an hour out of your day to dedicate it to doing something you enjoy, can make your day a little less stressful and hectic.

    Go outside: It may be daunting to go outside on a cold, wintery day or during the hot summer, however, going outside may just be your best bet. If you have been held up inside for a while, it can definitely be a good thing to go outside for a little while. It gives you the feeling of freedom and gives you a breath of fresh air, literally. Even going for a walk around the block to give yourself a break, can bring you back feeling energized and better than before.

    Your world might seem overwhelming at the moment but take thirty minutes to yourself. However, what way you choose to take a break,that is up to you.

     Written By Leah Butler

  • Surviving Depression

    Surviving Depression

    I was three months into university when it happened. At some godforsaken hour of the night, staring into the bathroom mirror, my body heaved into a fit of tears. That may sound like melodrama, but depression will do that to you. After all, the condition is inherently absurd – my grades were high, my family as wonderful as always, and my future bright. Being unable to pinpoint a reason for my sadness merely amplified it.

    I withdrew from family. My social anxiety made it impossible to make friends. I grew stagnant, unwilling to seek help. It was not until after university, when my emotional pain threshold was hit, that I sought a doctor. Even then, I jumped from one medication to another, job to job, all while enduring one sleepless night after another. With fewer opportunities and greater dependence on alcohol, I reached my lowest point. Some people begin to improve before that. Then again, others never improve at all.

    I remember sitting in the tiny doctor’s office while he thoroughly examined by personal and family history. It was a whirlwind. He made it clear that it was an illness, and not one that simple goes away overnight. It is something I have to be diligent about for the rest of my life.

    Depression is a mental condition. To be even more direct, it is an illness, no different from any other. A physical malady unlike the rest, as it is one that is shrouded in cognitive dissonance. We struggle to see the brain and the body as one cohesive unit. This divide between the physical and the mental makes it hard to see depression for what it is. It is an illness. It can be treated. It can be cured.

    Getting help took many steps, and those are steps I am still taking. They are a mix of therapy, medication, socializing, eating well, exercising, and more. A potpourri of positive behaviour that was a far better concoction any mix of drugs and drinks could muster up. What has been important to remember is that they all work in tandem – not one of those aides would help me on their own.

    Every sufferer has a different story to tell. Your struggles with mental illness may be better or worse than mine. Regardless, it is important to share your story. Not everyone will understand, nor do they have to. Yet it is vital for people to know they are not alone, and that it can get better.

    If I could only offer one piece of advice, it would be this: There are many steps you can take to tackle depression, but the most important thing of all is to take steps. Even if you have no clue whatsoever what you are doing, just make a doctor’s appointment, call a friend, start exercising. Stagnancy is depression’s breeding ground. Any positive action is a step in the right direction.

  • Mental Health and the Government: Are We Doing Enough?

    Mental Health and the Government: Are We Doing Enough?

    Is the government doing enough when it comes to mental health? With events like #BellLetsTalk and Mental Health Week it’s easy to think that plenty is being done to erase the stigma surrounding mental illness. And, yes, while we are progressing as a society in terms of understanding mental health and helping those who struggle with a mental illness. #BellLetsTalk, for example, reported on their site that “Bell’s funding of $500,000 will be used towards expanding the Ride Asset Development Loan Fund across communities in Ontario and building a strategic plan to extend the program nationally across Canada.” But, as reported in July of 2015 by The Globe and Mail in an article titled, “How to Fix It”, we’re still a long way away from helping the way we should be.

    Included in some of the statistics provided, an estimated 70% of mental health problems are believed to begin in childhood or adolescence. In addition, 75% of children “don’t access services and treatments – despite the fact that children who experience mental health illnesses and problems are at much high risk of experiencing them as adults and are more likely to have other complicating health and social problems.” This brings up an interesting point given that, even though I only acknowledged my mental health issues during my first year in university, I was actually dealing with anxiety ever since I was eight. And I didn’t deal with any of the things until 11 years later because I didn’t understand what was going on and I didn’t know who to speak to.

    Now, these statistics also stretch out into the Housing First Initiative. As also reported by The Globe and Mail, the annual cost of the HFI for the “most severely mentally ill clients with the highest needs” is $19,582. In an interview from the same article, Steve Lurie, executive director of the Toronto branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, stated that, “not only is there a right to safe, affordable housing but it should be a centerpiece of mental health.” The article went on to report that, “more than 10,416 people are waiting for supportive housing, roughly half are homeless or house precariously and some people, [Lurie] says, have been on that list for as long as five years.” Lurie concluded by saying that, “giving people their own place to live not only makes good public policy, it makes good economic sense.”

    While we are on the right path to healing and making the world a more supportive place for those struggling with mental illnesses, much still needs to be taken into consideration when it comes to how to help and how to iron out the rough spots of mental health treatment. But, we are on the path to healing.

  • The Grammar of Emotion: Not Feeling Good Enough

    The Grammar of Emotion: Not Feeling Good Enough

    “I’m not good enough.” Those are words everyone has told themselves at some point. For some of us, these 15 letters weigh us down on a regular basis. They inevitably lead to other thoughts: My grades are not high enough. I do not have enough friends. I am not preparing enough for my future. My parents must be so disappointed. It feels like an inescapable trap!

    As weird as it sounds, part of the solution relates to grammar and language. Notice how those other thoughts are specific, relating to direct issues in your life. Now take a look at these daunting words again: “I’m not good enough.” The sentence is vague. We use the word “enough” as an adjective or adverb for nouns (enough friends) and attributes (prepared enough). “Enough” is used as a measurement, but measuring complicated ideas like acquaintances and preparation is vastly different from measuring length and width. This leads to the big question: When you say “I’m not good enough,” what exactly are you measuring?

    The statement is one coming from emotion, as opposed to rational thought. “I’m not good enough” is a powerful sounding statement, and therefore easy to believe without evidence. Yet just like you always measure distances in math class, you have to treat this statement the same way. Your thoughts can be deceptive. It is important to take time to sit down and write them out. Analyze them like you would a math problem, and figure out what is not adding up.

    Remember that everyone else is doing the same thing to themselves to some extent. We all question what we need to have enough and if we are living up to expectations. This is especially important to remember when you find yourself looking down at someone while wishing you were more like someone else. The more envy and derision you direct to others, the more likely you are to direct negative emotions towards yourself. We are all human beings, filled with virtues and flaws.

    We are also creatures of habit. Just like you learn math by practicing every day, your thoughts and emotions are learned very much the same way. Repeating the same negative thoughts is like answering a math question repeatedly with the wrong answer. You will not get anywhere. This change starts with small and simple steps. Take a moment to select a positive memory, one that makes you feel good about yourself and others. Use that memory as your response to the habitual phrase “I’m not good enough.” When you have free time, train yourself to ask, “Not good enough for what?” Find something quantifiable, such as not enough friends or not enough high marks. If it is an actual problem, prepare steps to fix the issue. You can join clubs to meet new friends or devote more time to studying. If it is still vague, the sentence is grammatically incorrect! It is a negative emotion that can be beat.

    Sources:

    Reynolds, Marcia. How to Feel Good Enough. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/wander-woman/201312/how-feel-good-enough

    Sonnier, Madison. 7 Things to Remember When You Think You’re Not Good Enough. http://tinybuddha.com/blog/7-things-to-remember-when-you-think-youre-not-good-enough/

  • Fitness in University

    Fitness in University

    Working out in university is almost as believable as the Loch Ness Monster to some people, and with good reason. You spend the majority of the day in a chair or napping in the library because whoever says they prefer hopping on the treadmill over a nap is lying. But there are those moments you’re running late to class and turn into Usain Bolt to get there on time. Aside from that, there’s not a lot of movement happening.

    However, it’s not impossible to get moving. Among the homework and studying there is time to squeeze in exercises here and there in addition to eating healthier.

    Apps are going to be a close friend of yours during university. Ones like MyFitnessPal and N+TC Nike Training App would be the places to start. MyFitnessPal takes your measurements and goals and breaks down the day for you. You plug in what you’re eating into their search engine – and finding what you’re looking for won’t be difficult because they have millions of options – and the app gives you a breakdown of calories, sodium, fat, and other nutrients. It’s a good kick in the butt to keep your food on track so you can have your intake right in front of you.

    Also, if you’re someone who can burn water (like me), the app has constant posts about at- quick recipes, which is something you can use to your advantage. Let’s face it. No one wants to constantly stock up on Pizza Pizza or Starbucks cookies.

    Nike on the other hand will actually kick your butt. Even if it’s only for 15 minutes the app offers training from some world class athletes and celebrities like Alex Hipwell, Kirsty Godso, Marie Purvis, and Christen Press. It’s hard not to make time for these things when some of these workouts are literally six minutes.

    The app offers other incredible features as well, including different workouts depending on the kind of athlete you identify as. It shows you how to do the workouts in little sample videos, offering you a chance to set up a schedule and stick to it for maximum results. It also tells you the amount of calories you’ll burn and gives you Nike Fuel and trophies the more you work out.

    Studentrecipes.com is another great tool. This blog provides recipes for those of us still in school and includes ratings next to them so you can pick and choose which ones you like. There are also categories for what you’d like to cook with that you can scroll through.

    One of the biggest things I want to tell you, is to not put yourself down.. Don’t start to make yourself feel bad by swearing off things you love. You’re doing this to be healthy and feel better, not to make yourself feel like garbage along the way. Having a piece of cake isn’t going to kill you and neither will a 15 minute workout with some great athletes- get busy!

  • Social Disorders and You

    Social Disorders and You

    Our world in a lot of ways is shaped by the people we know and interact with. We are partially a product of the environment that inhabits us. A major portion of our identity is formed through connections with family, friends, mentors and, peer groups. Therefore any situation or issue that impedes these social bonds may be detrimental to one’s self development. Such is the case with Social Disorders, the term used to describe a wide range of psychological/behavioral phobias seen in a social context. Social Disorders span a spectrum, and can range in intensity; from the slight worries about speaking in front of large crowds, to the deliberating anxiety of a person fearing the outside world.

    Over time Social Anxiety disorder has become a highly studied phobia. With an estimated 15 million people in the United States alone suffering from this disorder[1]. Symptoms can begin in adolescences, and may take a toll on many high school, college and university students. So at this point you may be asking yourself, doesn’t everyone have anxiety? A large portion of the population at some point will endure some level of anxiety- we are human and experience an array of complex emotions, naturally. You may feel anxiety in job interviews, public speaking and even while on blind dates. However, for a person with social anxiety, such situations can become overwhelming and in some rare cases lead to panic attacks. They are unable move on from the event, and becomes it a source of anguish, sadness, and frustration. Moreover, it goes beyond shyness, as teenagers and children we all experience a tendencies of shyness, as it’s a natural part of growing up. In contrast, Social Disorders are all encompassing, affecting various aspects of a person’s life. Such avoidant behavior includes: missing school or work, reduced or no interaction with others, lack of personal connections, fear of entering large classrooms and attending social events[2].

    So far we covered the sweeping generalities of social disorders. Within this lie many subsets, which have their own symptoms and behavior traits. A few that come to mind are Social Phobias; Social Communication Disorder (primarily found in children), and Avoidant Personality Disorder. Looking for solutions, there are now multiple techniques used to treat the symptoms and the related mental thoughts associated with social disorders. Treatments include Cognitive Behavior Therapy-challenging the anxiety provoking thoughts and attempting to reduce the follow through behavior. Exposure Therapy can also be useful for less pronounced social disorders, and lastly medications ranging from Selective Serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) to Beta Blockers can be beneficial[3]. However, taking medication isn’t always a cure for the problem. Help and support can be found at your local campus health-centers, through your guidance counselors and/or a trusted mentor. There is always a way for you to seek help and overcome a social disorder, to lift the veil of silence and reach for your better self- it’s in there!

    Sources:

    [1] Social Anxiety Disorder | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2015.

    [2]Mayoclinicorg. (2015). Mayoclinicorg. Retrieved 12 July, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/social-anxiety-disorder/basics/symptoms/con-20032524

    [3] Helpguideorg. (2015). Helpguideorg. Retrieved 14 July, 2015, from http://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/social-anxiety-disorder-and-social-phobia.htm

  • Females Supporting Females

    Females Supporting Females

    As young children it seems much easier to get along with others. You befriend new playmates on the playground in minutes. Neighbourhood kids are among our closest allies. Differences aren’t noticed as quickly. Judgements aren’t made as fast. But somewhere along the way, this changes. As you will grow, your interactions with peers will change. By the time you reach middle school or high school it may feel like you are in constant competition with each other.

    Friends gossip to each other constantly; sometimes even about each other. What is she wearing? Why does she wear so much make-up? Why doesn’t she ever wear make-up? She dresses too provocatively. She flirts too much. She’s such a tom-boy. She’s too tall, or too short; too smart, too dumb; too cocky, too shy, too fat, too skinny. It’s all just too much. You may find yourself feeling as though it is impossible to live up to other girl’s standards.

    As a girl growing into a woman, you need to support your peers, rather than ban against them. You need to build each other up, not tear each other down. There is a lot of pressure put on girls and women to act a certain way. They should be nice but not too nice. They should know how to take charge, but not be too bossy. Don’t be a bully, but don’t let others walk all over you. This continues from adolescence into adulthood. Lots of women feel compelled to “have it all”… careers, families, social lives etc. They feel the need to be successful at their jobs, take care of the kids, cook, clean, car pool, go out with their friends and support their life partner; to be both traditional and non-traditional at the same time. With all of the pressure that is put on females, it’s important that you have the support of your peers. This starts with how you treat each other. You need to let go of the girl versus girl mentality, not holding each other to stereotypes about what you both “should” and “shouldn’t” do, or “should” and “shouldn’t” look like.

    Here are a few things you can do to be more supportive of other females:

    • Make a conscious effort not to be part of the drama anymore.
    • Make encouraging comments rather than discouraging ones.
    • Only be competitive when it’s appropriate (competition isn’t necessarily a bad thing). As long as it’s not done out of jealousy, judgement, fear or anger.
    • Be a mentor or role model for younger girls in your life.
    • Don’t judge or criticize others and the choices they make.
    • Inspire others to do their best.
    • If someone is struggling be there to help them up. Don’t keep pushing them back down.
    • Empower each other.
    • Don’t use boys and relationships as a weapon against each other.
    • Don’t retaliate if someone says or does something to hurt you. Instead try to understand why they said or did it.
    • Stop calling each other slurs. What you say matters. Kinder words equal kinder actions.

    A quote by Rosa Parks (often considered the “first lady of civil rights”) says it perfectly, “Each person must live their life as a model for others.” When you can do this, you can work together; when you empower instead of put down, everyone can benefit.

     

     

  • Introversion and Extroversion: Differences and Similarities

    Introversion and Extroversion: Differences and Similarities

    Suppose that your school organized a party and invited all of the students, teachers, and other staff members to come. You would soon notice people’s personality differences from observing how people interacted with each other. The extraverts would likely come at the beginning and stay to the end, and they would enjoy talking and laughing with people. Introverts, on the other hand, would likely come late, stay in a corner, or maybe not come at all. Do you think that these two personality types can work together? Of course, those are very stereotypical takes on introversive and extroversive people. Characteristics of those stereotypes are in the process of being broken down and studied by psychological professionals and sociologists.

    How people interact with others and where they get their energy can indicate the difference between extraverts and introverts. However, you can be a mixture of both in some cases- this means you have a very diverse personality. Generally, though, extraverts enjoy being with other people and are good at collaboration and chatting about their lives and work. They get their energy from interactions with other people. Extraverts who work as public speakers will probably also enjoy talking with audience members after the lecture to discuss their ideas.

    Introverts can also be good at talking and interacting with others, but they work differently from extraverts. If introverts become public speakers, for example, they are likely to prepare their talks beforehand and to stick to their plan. Informal conversations after the official lecture is likely to cause stress, but they can learn to manage their anxiety if necessary.

    Quiet people are often overlooked, possibly because they like to think before they speak. Sometimes, however, being an introvert is an advantage, especially in jobs that require concentration, independent thought, and creativity. People who need constant interaction with others are unlikely to succeed in these areas.

    Many famous people have been introverts. J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books, is an introvert who needed solitude to concentrate on writing her fiction series (as it goes for most writers). Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, is also an introvert, and the famous scientist, Albert Einstein, also preferred to be alone rather than with other people. Many very successful people have used their preference for quietness and planning to accomplish some amazing things.

    Despite their strengths, introverts are still likely to hear from family, teachers, or employers that they should be more extraverted. Can people really change their personalities? Some scientists believe that introversion and extraversion is part of people’s physical make-up, just like being tall or short. Introverts can work on their social skills, but they are unlikely ever to be completely comfortable in large crowds. Similarly, extraverts can try to depend less on other people’s approval, but they will likely never be entirely comfortable being alone.

    Do you love being around other people or do you prefer to be alone? Whatever your personality type, you can learn to draw on the strengths that you have to succeed in your chosen career and to make a difference in the world.

    Bibliography:

    Gallagher, Michelle. “The difference Between Introvert and Extraverts.” https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/199907/the-difference-between-introverts-and-extroverts

    Hall, Alena. “10 Ways Introverts Interact Differently With The World.” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/07/physical-behavior-of-introverts_n_6069438.html

    Kaufman, Scott Barry. “Will the Real Introverts Please Stand Up?” http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/beautiful-minds/will-the-real-introverts-please-stand-up/.

    Myers-Briggs.org. “Extraversion or Introversion.” http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/extraversion-or-introversion.htm.

    Schocker, Laura. “16 Outrageously Successful Introverts.” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/13/famous-introverts_n_3733400.html.

     

  • Mental Health Stigma and Prejudice

    Mental Health Stigma and Prejudice

    Stereotyping and typecasting remains prevalent in our society today. Stating that doesn’t mean that it makes it alright to use them against others. In today’s society Mental Illness is accepted, though sometimes, there is still a prejudice about it. Some people do not accept it, and use these stereotypes on people with a mental illness. For example, a woman can be targeted due to her mental illness, possibly creating an atmosphere where sexism can run wild. The media is a constant variable in this role; when someone with a mental illness acts out, the media makes it a headline and top story, mocking them at every turn.

    As the media highlights the bad aspects of mental illness, the world can’t seem to listen and take it as a serious problem that needs to be understood. Instead of investigating deeply about mental health, people take the more ignorant approach for it is easy to do so. What is often illustrated on the news is false or extremely exaggerated. The individuals that do try to understand mental illness often know someone suffering from it, therefore they become more involved and educated on the subject in order to help. Depending on the circumstances, a friend or loved one can be the cause of the negative inflictions that cause mental illness.

    Not only does having a mental illness have its own effects on the brain, people can start to perceive a person that effected person as negative. The person suffering can feel anxiety raising, courage falling, hopelessness settling in as they walk and feel eyes on them. They may feel fearful when going for a walk, going to an event, or even when raising their hand in class. It is never right to put someone in that position of self-loathing or self-doubt, only to make yourself feel higher and more powerful.

    We have all been in both of these places; making yourself feel better by putting another down; feeling put down from someone. Both of these directions will not serve you, or the other person. Of course there is someone who is bigger, smarter, or can do more things than you. There is never a reason to hurt someone, especially someone that cannot help who they are. It is not okay to hurt someone because you do not understand what they are going through. We all go through something at one point or another, so it is better to respect a person then put them down. Let’s erase mental health stigma and create better ways of communicating and helping others- you may need some help in your future, too.