puppetmaker | Why I talk about Mental Health

Behind the cut is an essay about depression and mental health. I know some people don’t care to read that kind of content. I know others who are disturbed by it. I always want to give people an opt out on this sort of content. I promise that puppets and adventures are still in the mix but this is what I need to talk about right now.

I talk about mental health because I have friends struggling day to day.

I talk about mental health because I have friends who are no longer here because of their mental illness.

I talk about mental health because of Caroline. Apparently, depression runs in my family and Caroline got the short end of the genetic stick.

I talk about mental health because of me.

I talk about mental health because if I can help just one person with this entry it will be enough.

I talk about mental health to try to remove the stigma attached to it.

I talk about metal health so that one day it can be discussed out loud rather than in whispers.

I talk about mental health so that a depressed person never has to hear the phrase ‘well have you tried cheering up?’ or ‘get over it. You have a great life and have nothing to be sad about’ or ‘you don’t look depressed’ or being told to smile because that will improve your mood or…well it is a very long list.

I talk about mental health because medical research is showing more and more the mind body connection between mental health and its effects on all the systems in the body.

I talk about mental health because taking an antidepressant should be looked at the same way as insulin for diabetes or blood pressure medication or an anti-inflammatory for arthritis.

I talk about mental health because we need to lose the stereotype that artists and writers produce their best work when their mental health is in the crapper. We have that stereotype because many of these creative geniuses had mental health issues that were never addressed or addressed poorly.

I talk about mental health this way so the next generation doesn’t have to.

I am grateful for the progress we have made.