This is not the End

Glydel Christi Mananquil

Hundreds of millions of individuals worldwide live with depression, anxiety, bipolar and
even social disorders. Everybody has the blues, loses interest and gets stressed sometimes.
However, if it continues for a long time, and interferes with one’s daily life, it may be more
serious than you thought.

Stress is the body’s response to any pressure acted to an individual. These demands
take a toll in one’s mental and physical health which may lead to anxieties and social disorders.
Depression, on the other hand, is very different from occasional stressors. It can come from
life’s challenges, losses, problems and situations faced by the person himself and includes
feelings of helplessness and hopelessness which keeps him from living his own life.

A lot of people see mental health stigma as attacks on people with these mental
problems. They are people who judge and make fun of others despite knowing that they have
anxieties and depression. They also laugh about self-harm and suicide because they don’t
realize the impact they’re doing as they don’t see it as a big issue. Stigma, however needs to be
addressed.

People struggling with their mental health issues may just be the people around you.
They may be your family, neighbors, friends, children, officemates or even the persons you sat
next to in the same church pew. However, only some of those affected receive treatment, often
because of the stigma attached to mental health. Studies show that stigma against mental
illness is still powerful, due to media, stereotypes and lack of education, and that people tend to
attach negative views to mental health conditions at far higher rate than other diseases such as
cancer, terminal illnesses and many others. Untreated, mental illnesses can contribute to poorer
performance, higher medical expenses and an increased risk of suicide.

Rather than joining the cue, it’s important that we learn how to deal with it and how we
can change it. First, let us show individuals the respect and acceptance they deserve. This
makes a significant difference as it removes the barriers caused by social stigmas and makes
people see the other as an individual and not as his illness. Advocating within circles of
influence and friends also ensure that these individuals have the same rights and opportunities
as members of the community. Lastly, we should also learn more about mental health for it
allows us to provide helpful support to those who are ill, may it be within our families, friends
and even to the extent of those people affected in the community.

That’s why I’m so passionate about combating mental health stigma, because, I too am
a victim of bullying and has caused me depression for a certain period of my life. I’m happy I got
over it with the help of my parents and friends who listen to my worries and anxieties. Now, I’m
doing it for all the people who have been in the same situation that I’ve been through or worse.
By changing how we see mental health issues, we are saving lives.
 No matter where you are in life, no matter how deep you are and how bleak your
situation is, don’t give up. Tough moments will pass, so use it to build your character and
strengthen yourself. Learn to find a greater meaning for the pain and sufferings you experience,
and you will find that you can be better and be capable of helping others who are going through
the same struggles. Take little steps to improve and ensure that you will be in a better position
next time. You deserve to experience how great life can be and you owe it to the world to be
that positive change for others.