Mental Health Awareness

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It is a good time to seek education, support, and provide resources for yourself and others. Mental health impacts a large population. And many people are undiagnosed or unaware of the resources available. A cancer diagnosis can impact more than the physical body. From my experience, the diagnosis impacted my mental health.

Living with depression and anxiety

I suffer from Major Depression Disorder and Anxiety. I was diagnosed during my junior year of college after dealing with the loss of my mother. The diagnosis was life-changing but I knew that something different when I lacked energy and motivation. I had access to on-campus support including a medical clinic, counseling that was free, and access to medicine. The on-campus support made a difference in my college experience. I learned an abundance of coping mechanisms and strategies to work through attacks, and safely manage my symptoms.

A cancer diagnosis can impact our mental health

The news of having cancer definitely took a toll on my mental health. In the beginning, I was anxious about the plan and what would happen to me. And I also became depressed and withdrawn from being overwhelmed with emotion. Processing the diagnosis was a lot for me at the time. Luckily, I was aware of the signs and symptoms that I would need to overcome this news and how to manage myself.

Be open and find support

We live in a time when mental health is discussed and education, in my opinion, is at an all-time high. The importance of awareness is to help bridge the gap. And to provide information to those that otherwise may not have access to such resources. When I was first diagnosed with depression, I wondered if things could have been different if I knew earlier.

I think social media and other platforms allow mental health awareness to be readily available. However, the important factor is making sure the information is accurate. Also, understanding that mental health looks different for each person, much like cancer. It is not a one size fits all. The more information that is provided, the better it is for individuals that are seeking help.

Our stories make a difference

I have a goal to raise awareness and be transparent about the things I have endured. The good thing about sharing is our stories can impact someone else. That is why I speak about my journey. I may not share everything but the pieces that I share, are likely the things I yearned to know.