Never Give up on Someone with Mental Illness

Have you ever known someone living with mental illness?  Of course, you have.  The prevalence of mental illness is so high in all aspects of society that there is no possible way that you could not know someone living with mental illness.  If you think you have never known someone with mental illness, then you truly are a selfish person who doesn't listen or care about your family and friends.  If you have never experienced mental illness, count yourself as lucky, as the odds are against you.  Like any other disease, it transcends social class, gender, race, etc.

It is a funny illness, though.  If you are having symptoms of a common cold, you are urged to stay at home.  If you are having symptoms of depression like not wanting to get out of bed, etc, you are likely not given sick time.

If you have diabetes, no one is afraid to sit next to you for fear of catching it.  If you have social anxiety, no one wants to get anywhere near you for fear of catching it or because your illness might cause you to say something inappropriate.

We stay away from loved ones and friends who have mental illness just because we don't know what to say. 

Here is an idea.  Lean into that person.  Mental Illness is a very isolating disease.  But, if you change the "I" in illness to "We", it becomes Mental Wellness.

A common sense solution to a problem that is not as complex as people think it is.

The answer is almost always the same.  In a world where you can be anything, chose to be kind.