Dear Mother,
Do you feel like a stranger in the crowd?
I watched her walk across the street with her son. She let him take the lead, but was right behind him, watching his every step. Today is a good day, another said.
No weird movements, no hallucinations, no murmuring words to herself, no violent outbursts today. She walked on like every young mother having a special moment with her son.
But what do you know.
Mental illness, also called mental health disorders, refers to a wide range of mental health conditions — disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior. Examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviors.
On some days, she gets lonely. On other days, she gets sad. But there are days when it gets really dark for her.
She is lost in a world that is silent to her pain. No one really knows how loud it gets in her head. Yet she stumbles daily through the noise, hoping to find peace for her soul.
And what can you do.
Encourage her when she is feeling down and sad.
Listen to her when she shares her excessive fears and worries.
Find her when she withdraws from friends, loved ones and the things she loves most.
Help her when she is unable to cope with daily problems and stress.
Support her in the high and low moments.
Lead her to seek help when it gets too overwhelming.
Be there for her, as she fights to find her RIVER of hope, calm and peace.
“What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.” – Glenn Close
“It doesn’t have to take over your life, it doesn’t have to define you as a person, it’s just important that you ask for help. It’s not a sign of weakness.” — Demi Lovato
“Don’t let your struggle become your identity.” – Unknown
(May is Mental Health Month and this year’s theme is ‘Kindness’.)
[…] Dear Mother – Your Mental Health Matters […]