Recently, I had a conversation with someone who did not realize people can experience post-traumatic stress even if they have not fought in a war. Mental health is something that is still, in the twenty-first century, often misunderstood and even stigmatized. Such stigmas are why, in 1949, Clifford W. Beers, co-founder of Mental Health America, launched Mental Health Awareness Month, which runs from May 1 to May 31 each year. Mental Health Awareness Month brings awareness to what mental illness is and confronts the stigmas and stereotypes surrounding it (“Our History”). There is no better time than now to expand our understanding of mental health. 

A Personal Story 

Since I was a child, I have struggled with thoughts. I clearly remember having these thoughts as early as kindergarten, when I had to tape the toys I carried to the base of my little, wicker purse, just to be sure they didn’t move and fall together. At this age, I would burst into tears if the groceries I had so carefully arranged in the shopping cart would wobble and topple over, scattering my tediously hard work. The thoughts that spurred these feelings and emotions morphed into fears of doing something wrong. I developed actions in vain attempts to remember to be as perfect as I could be. If I did not perform these special actions to counter these awful thoughts (in which I pictured bad things I should not think), I just knew something would go terribly wrong. Maybe a tornado would hit our house. Maybe someone or something would get sick or even die. Throughout my childhood, teenage years (when they were much stronger than usual thanks to normal teenage development and abnormal, even abusive, situations), and early adult years, I had no clue as to why I had these thoughts. I only knew they were horrible thoughts of which I could not rid myself, no matter how I tried to pull the thoughts from my mind, pray them away, or fight them. I thought there was something wrong deep inside me. Had I hardened my heart? Had I become possessed by a preternatural entity? I had never heard anyone else say they had these thoughts. I felt no one would understand. I felt embarrassed and ashamed. I felt like I was a worse person than anyone else could ever be.  

When I was in my mid-thirties, I underwent a time in which, due to a health worry and other circumstances in my life, these thoughts were at their worst. During that time, I decided to take part in the Summer Reading Program at the Salina Public Library. I had always made sure my sons took part in the fun activities each year. I decided I needed to do so as well. Really, I just wanted to get my mind off of these thoughts as much as I could. 

As I began reading for the Summer Reading Program, I found one particular book that happened to discuss the exact type of thoughts with which I had always been burdened. (Ironically, this was not a book about mental health, per se, but, rather, a work that focused on one of my fears). This work gave me a term for my struggles, which I immediately researched. It turns out, I have suffered most of my life with a common form of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) – one that is sometimes called scrupulosity. I had heard of forms of OCD that would cause people to wash their hands or have a craving for order. I never knew, until that very day when I was thirty-six years old, that OCD is a condition that often includes intrusive thoughts. The intrusive thoughts lead to compulsions that the sufferer hopes will alleviate these thoughts. This can be when the act of performing special actions such as handwashing, or, in my case, excessive praying or saying words a certain way or a specific number of times, arises. Because of that book from the library, I was able to apply treatments for this specific mental illness. I learned the compulsions in which we with OCD often engage only make the thoughts worse. These actions inaccurately confirmed to my brain that the thoughts were something to fear, something that caused danger. I had to learn to rewire my brain. I had to be willing to face the thoughts and allow them to pass. I had to do the opposite of what my mind tried to convince me I must do.

I cannot say I never have what are called flare-ups (times when the thoughts worsen and I am tempted to, again, engage in compulsions). This happens especially during times of extra stress. This is because OCD is not curable. It is, however, treatable, and recovery is possible. Learning why I had struggled for so many years – coming across that term for what I had suffered since childhood – provided a relief I cannot describe, set me on my journey to recovery, and gave me a passion to help educate others about mental health. 

Confronting Stigmas

It turns out, I was not alone in never speaking of my mental illness. According to the American Psychiatric Association, over half the people who have mental illness suffer alone, never seeking help because of embarrassment and fear. Those who suffer from mental health conditions fear they will be treated differently or even lose their jobs if they make known their struggles. This is often due to negative and incorrect stigmas those with mental illness face. For example, how many times have we heard the theory that someone with mental illness is dangerous? Such stereotypes cause people with mental illness to blame themselves, to shame themselves, and to feel unworthy or incompetent. This can lead to low self-esteem, more symptoms of the mental illness becoming prominent, problems at work or school, and strained relationships with other people. Sufferers often withdraw from social situations due to these feelings of inadequacy. Add to this the fact that, because of such stereotypes, sufferers often face bullying from those who do not understand the truths about mental illness (“Stigma, Prejudice and Discrimination Against People with Mental Illness”).

Mental Health Awareness Month 

These stereotypes and the consequences of them are exactly why Mental Health Awareness Month was initiated. Mental Health Awareness Month seeks to spread the news about issues those with mental illness face, educate the public about mental health, halt the spread of stereotypes and stigmas, and offer support for those with mental illness and their families. This year for Mental Health Awareness Month, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has selected the theme Take the Moment (“Mental Health Awareness Month”). I really do like this theme. The idea of Carpe Diem or seizing the day has been a tremendous help to me on my own journey. Sometimes I know it is not possible for those of us with mental illness to seize a complete day. Taking even a moment is a great first step. 

Resources for Mental Health Awareness 

The Kansas affiliate of NAMI is a great resource for those with mental illness who live in Kansas. This organization offers free support, educational opportunities, and resources for those with mental illness and their families (NAMI Kansas). Tayla Naden of NAMI here in Kansas shared some wonderful information about the organization. The following are her words: 

NAMI Kansas, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is a beacon of hope and support for individuals and families affected by mental illness throughout the state. With a mission to improve the lives of those living with mental health conditions and their loved ones, NAMI Kansas offers a wide range of programs, resources, and advocacy efforts.  NAMI Central Kansas, an affiliate of NAMI Kansas, is the regional affiliate covering Saline, Ellsworth, Lincoln, Ottawa, and Dickinson counties.

At the heart of NAMI Kansas’s work is its dedication to providing education and raising awareness about mental health issues. Through peer and family support groups, educational presentations, and community outreach events, NAMI Kansas fosters a sense of understanding and empathy while breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health. Additionally, the organization offers vital support services, providing individuals with the tools and connections they need to navigate their mental health journey.

Finally, NAMI Kansas is a powerful advocate for mental health policy reform, working tirelessly to ensure access to quality mental health care for all Kansans. By advocating for legislative change and promoting policies that prioritize mental health, NAMI Kansas is instrumental in shaping a more compassionate and inclusive society.

Join us for NAMI Central Kansas’s monthly support group at the new Salina Grace Resource Center next to Ace Hardware on Broadway. This group is 100% free, no registration required, and takes place every second Tuesday from 7 pm to 8:30 pm.  NAMI Kansas’s support groups are designed for any adult (18+) who has lived experience with a mental health condition. Families, friends, loved ones, and caregivers of those with mental health conditions are also encouraged to attend (Naden).

The Salina Public Library also has some excellent resources for educating ourselves about various mental health conditions. Be sure to check our selection both in the library and online. I think of my personal experience and how the library was influential in my journey to understanding and recovery. 

A New Beginning 

Usually at this point in my blog posts, I write some kind of conclusion or closing.  That does not seem appropriate to me for this topic. Instead, I want to encourage you, if you struggle with your mental health, to pursue a new beginning. Do research. Seek help. Talk to others. Know you are not alone in your struggles. Mental Health Awareness Month is the perfect opportunity to begin a journey to recovery. 

 

Works Cited

“Mental Health Awareness Month.” National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2024, https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness- Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month. Accessed 5 April 2024. 

Naden, Tayla. Personal Communication.18 April 2024. 

NAMI Kansas, 2024, https://namikansas.org/. Accessed 12 April 2024. 

“Our History.” Mental Health America, 2024, https://mhanational.org/our-history. Accessed 21 April 2024.  

“Stigma, Prejudice and Discrimination Against People with Mental Illness.” American Psychiatric Association, 2024, https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination. Accessed 5 April 2024.

Tags: