May is mental health awareness month. In 2016, Hip Hop veteran, Shanti Das, created a campaign to silence the shame of mental health in the Black community.
Joined by other celebrities, including Nick Cannon, Usher, Ed Lover, Andra Day, Will Packer, and Estelle, Shanti has started a movement to show people with mental illness that they are not alone. Silence the Shame went viral on May 5th, 2016, with many celebrities chiming in about their own struggles with anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses.
The stigma of mental illness
Mental illness affects all communities, ethnicities, ages, genders. The black community is not immune, with nearly one-third of the affected members not seeking treatment.
This has to change.
With Silence the Shame, Shanti hopes to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. The reluctance to open up about mental illness prevents people from getting proper treatment.
If left untreated, mental illness has the potential to overtake your life, reduce your functioning, and, in severe cases, even end your life.
How you can help and get involved
Chances are, you know someone who is struggling with mental illness. Whether it is you or a loved one, here are six actions you can take to help silence the shame around mental health.
- Get educated. Learn more about mental disorders and treatments. The more you know, the better equipped you will be to help yourself and others.
- Speak up! Shanti encourages everyone to speak up about their experiences with mental illness. On Silence the Shame Awareness Day, Shanti began a global conversation with the hashtag #silencetheshame.
- Know the signs. Understand the signs and symptoms of mental disorders so you can recognize when something is wrong.
- Get help. Don’t be ashamed to reach out for help, whether it is a friend or therapist. You don’t need to suffer alone.
- Stop judging and offer support. If someone you know suffers from a mental disorder, offer support. Don’t use words such as “crazy,” “weird,” and “insane,” which further perpetuate the stigma surrounding mental health.
- Practice mental wellness. Spend time doing things that bring you peace and balance. Whether it’s exercise, meditation, or writing in a journal, doing activities that make you smile can improve your overall wellbeing.
Click here to donate or get involved with Silence the Shame.
Reach out today
If you or a loved one is struggling with mental illness, you don’t need to go through it alone. Jennifer can help you heal and find more joy and purpose in your life.
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