Let’s Treat Mental Health Like Physical Health

Written by Step Above Stigma's E-commerce Director, Jesse Kluck

​​For as long as I can remember when I hurt myself as a kid or felt sick the common phrase in my house was “listen to your body.” If you have flu-like symptoms lay down don’t overexert. If I pulled a muscle, keep off it until the pain subsides. It is automatic to respond to physical pain and let the body heal itself. However, that was never a concept I applied to my mental health. I ignored the feelings rather than address them. If I sprained my ankle but continued to run, the sprain would not go away, it may even escalate to a break. Mental health will also escalate when disregarded, yet there is a clear disconnect with the help you give your body to the health you give your mind.
 
Although it should be as simple as going to the doctor’s office, reaching out for help can be daunting. From my own experience reaching out for help is a barrier that I have yet to overcome. However, one thing that I have learned is to understand the signs and recognize the anxiety when it arises. Understanding does not by any means giving into the spiral, for me it is simply understanding the anxiety, where it is coming from and how to move forward to recover. I am not writing this with recommendations for anyone, because we all cope and heal in different ways. I am writing coming from a place that understands the stigma, a stigma that must be changed because mental health is just as important as our physical health.