When I first started I Press On, I knew that I had a monumental task before me. Yet, there is one specific incident that let me know exactly how difficult my cause would be. A month or so after I started I Press On, I introduced the organization to a female health educator. The response I received was eye opening to say the least. In short, she told me that what I’m doing is good, but that she doesn’t need my services. Can you believe that? I was floored. I wondered why a health educator would turn away a resource that might be beneficial to others. The only thing I could come up with is that she herself didn’t want the personal connection to my agenda. But why? We know that mental illness has a negative connotation. But it goes deeper than that. The most important take away I gained from this interaction is that people don’t want to be associated with causes surrounding mental illnesses because it might appear to others that they themselves have one. This one interaction taught me that the role for I Press On has to be devoted to awareness. It led me to change my approach to the conversation surrounding depression and mental health.
Initially, I thought I Press On would mostly service people directly impacted by depression. And while, I Press on does work closely with those individuals, I realize that it is necessary to seek a broader community. I actively seek people who have never experienced depression or other mental illnesses to be a part of the I Press On community. It’s simple. The more people who support mental health awareness, the easier it is to help alleviate the stigma. If the majority of people who supported mental health issues never had an issue with mental illness themselves, the stigma would totally be erased. There’s just one catch; getting the support of people who don’t have any experience with mental illness is a tough task. I feel like the Greek mythological character Sisyphus. I feel like it’s an uphill battle that can never be won. I have found myself in the center of what could be a lonely fight. I constantly have to remind myself that there are other individuals and organizations fighting this fight.
It is going to take all of us together to help bring awareness about depression and other mental health illnesses. Here are three things you can do to help.
1 Start a conversation
It’s not easy to start a conversation about depression awareness. One of the best ways to start a conversation is to ask your pastor or your work supervisor to sponsor workshops surrounding all aspects of depression.
2. Change the conversation
When you read negative comments about mental health on social media, or you hear negative comments, be sure to chime in. Please don’t shy away from helping to bring awareness. Insert yourself into the conversation.
3. Share the conversation
Whenever you see a good article, social media post, or an event surrounding depression, be sure to share it on your social media. Someone you know might benefit from the information.
Listen, this doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. We can alleviate the stigma surrounding depression and other mental illnesses. It’s going to take all of us, so let’s continue to press on together!
