Speaking Up: Finding the Courage to Talk About Your Mental Health

Mental illness has become a serious problem in Latin American. Each year, there are millions of children and adults that suffer from some form of mental illness, but only few actually get the assistance they need. When left untreated, however, these mental health problems can affect everything from a person's physical health to their personal, professional, and academic lives. In extreme cases, some individuals end up committing suicide.

For these reasons and more, it is important for individuals who are struggling emotionally to speak up. As it can be a difficult topic to discuss (especially in the Black and Latino communities), it takes a great amount of strength and courage to come forward. Below, is some advice on how you can learn to speak up and get the help you need.

Educate Yourself

Before sharing the news with others about your mental health find out what you can on your own. If you've noticed symptoms including long periods of extreme sadness and hopelessness, anger or rage, shakiness, intense fear, or panic, do some research or talk with your doctor to find out what could be going on. Once you've been properly diagnosed by your doctor or through a Santa Barbara mental health treatment center, you can learn more about mental illness and how it is treated. This helps to ease your fears and makes it easier when you express your concerns to others.

Consider a Text Message or Letter

Sometimes it can be hard to find the words to express what you're going through in-person. Your thoughts are all over the place, your words get jumbled, and you overlook important parts. If you have this issue or are especially anxious during conversations you may consider sending a text message, email, or letter. This allows you to get all of your thoughts out on paper (without interruption) in an effective manner. It also eliminates the need to be face-to-face when you express what's going on inside.

Start with Close Relatives or Friends

You don't have to get on social media or announce to the world that you're struggling with mental illness. Speaking up can start by telling a few close family members and friends. Choose people that you can trust to keep your information confidential, that won't be judgemental, and that will provide you with the emotional support you need. You can call them up and tell them one-by-one or host a small intimate lunch or dinner and tell them all at once.

Go to a Religious Leader

It's unfortunate, but not everyone has close friends and family they can entrust with something as important as their mental health. Instead of staying bottled up, perhaps it is best to talk to your religious leader. Not only do you know them as trustworthy individuals, but they can provide you with spiritual guidance and even direct you to the best resources to get treatment.

Counselor or Support Group

For those who don't have a supportive family or a religious leader they feel comfortable talking to there's also the option to talk to a counselor or start attending support groups. A counselor is a great sounding board where you can vent about everything you're feeling. They will also have therapeutic practices they use to help you dig deep into the core of your mental illness so that you can begin to overcome it.

On the other hand, a support group (whether an online community or a brick and mortar location) can also help you to open up about your mental health. You are surrounded by individuals who share similar experiences as you and, therefore, will not judge you. They will instead listen to you, share their own stories, and provide tips on how to get through. Support groups can help lift you up when you're down, be a shoulder to cry on, and even your accountability partners to ensure you're actively seeking treatment for your condition.

Finding out that you have a mental illness or even feeling that you're not yourself emotionally can be scary. As much as you might want to keep what you're going through inside it will only lead to worse problems down the line. The best thing you can do is find the courage to speak up and get the help you deserve.