Mental Health Deserves More Than Just a Month

I’m making a concerted effort to avoid social media, but I recently read that June is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month.

I’ve always found this to be a tad perplexing, since mental health should be a regular focus, not an afterthought.

But that’s not attractive, right?

Many people are fighting hidden battles and just barely winning.

They feel trapped, carrying too many burdens, and seeking to rid themselves of the emotional pain that eats away at them. These factors may only appear beneath the surface and are invisible to us.

Maybe it’s money, feeling less than, or just inherently alone.

The mind is a dangerous place afterall.

So, what can you or I do?

We can start by remaining compassionate and empathetic. This helps break down the stigma surrounding mental health struggles.

The more we normalize it, the easier it is for those around us to open up.

We can remove burdens and offer an ear to confide in, providing a safe space for those who need it.

I have always considered suicide a tragic and heartbreaking conclusion to someone's life.

Worst of all, there’s that lingering “What If?”

I tragically lost my grandpa to suicide when I was only three years old. Nearly everyone you meet has a story like that.

Admittedly, I have grappled with suicidal thoughts over the past two decades, even if it’s not always apparent under the figurative clown make-up that I proudly choose to wear.

When someone takes their own life, we don't just lose all they were, but all they could have been. I’m pretty damn sure I read this in a Batman graphic novel, but it summarizes the situation better than I’ve ever encountered. Unpretentious too, right?

If you ever feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, don’t get stuck in your thoughts. Instead, connect with a good friend, a four-legged companion or a family member, seek laughter, or purposely distract yourself.

Remember your loved ones and yourself. You’re a priority, too!

I don’t need to tell you something you already know, but time is the greatest thief of all….don’t waste it by beating yourself up or obsessing over scenarios in life beyond our control.

We’re in this shit together.