America's Problem with "Mental Health Issues"

For almost a week now, I have been trying to collect my thoughts on the most recent shooting in Florida. Hearing, "it's a mental health issue" can be disturbing when you know you have a mental illness. I sit and think, 'this is why people think persons with mental health issues are crazy.'

That is not true. We are not crazy.

This person who went into a high school and shot innocent people had more wrong with him than just "mental health issues." Sure, maybe he does have some sort of mental illness, but that is not an excuse. I have had a mental illness for the last seven years of my life. I have never once wanted to shoot someone. I have never once thought to take a gun, or weapon of any kind, into a school to kill other students. I have never planned an attack on others. This guy clearly had irrational thoughts that most could never imagine, and he clearly needed help. Students recognized it. They knew there was something "off" by the reports that keep appearing on the news and in speeches, so tell me how adults did not? Why did no one recommend him to counseling? Why did no one keep a closer watch on him? Why did no one who could be HEARD do anything about this? Or, if they did, why did no one LISTEN?

We do have a mental health issue in this country, and the issue is that we are not addressing mental health. People, to this day, still criticize others for having a mental illness. If you're depressed, you're just being "too emotional." If you have anxiety, you're just "a scared-y-cat." If you think about suicide, then you're "selfish." This is what society often thinks, and it is WRONG. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and when your mental health is not at it's best, you know what you do? You seek treatment; you search for people who can help make you better. That is what we do when we are physically ill. If you have a cold, you go to the doctor to get medicine. If you have cancer, you seek out chemo or some alternative version of treatment. This is all normal to our society for physical health issues, yet we treat it differently with mental health. I am tired of it. People with mental health issues, true mental health issues, need to know that they will not be defined by this tragedy. Many of them will be made fearful by this event because they hear the term "mental health" appear in the same sentence alongside the term "mass shooter," and worry they will be defined by this. I can't blame them for their fear; there was a time when I would have let the fear get to me as well. Until one day I decided to fight back, which is why I am writing this post today.

I have a mental illness. I have dealt with depression. I have anxiety. My purpose in creating this blog has always been to share the struggles I've had, but also to show that I still live a happy and successful life. I don't want to kill anyone. I never have, and most likely, you don't either. Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to know that if you have a mental illness, you are not like Nikolas Cruz. That man, if you can even call him that, had more issues than I believe anyone knew. What he did was wrong. point blank. Maybe if someone had listened and recognized the signs, maybe they could have prevented this; that is something we will never know. What I do know is that Cruz does not define what "mental health issues" are. Everyone with a mental illness, or struggling with mental health, is different. Just like every person who suffers from a physical ailment is different. Mental health still matters, and I will always fight for those who don't think they can fight for themselves.

My message is this--please, start talking about mental health. When you're not feeling well, let it be known and tell someone. Talk to a friend, a counselor, etc. Break the stigma. "Mental health issues" doesn't mean "mass shooter." Mass shooter may be an example of a person who had mental health issues that went untreated. That defines one man, not the entire population with a mental illness.

I hope if you are struggling with mental health issues today, you will remember that you are not alone. Seek the treatment and help that you deserve. You do not have to be ashamed; you should be proud knowing that you are doing what you should to become the best version of yourself!

To any one and every one who may read this, please remember to always choose love. For each other. And for yourself.