Sometimes I am frustrated around the narrative of addressing mental illness in the community or in the workplace.
I think conversations around ADHD, depression, and anxiety are all very useful. I think it makes people feel seen, heard, and gives hope for coping and learning new emotional regulations and skills. These are important conversations.
The problem I have is that's where the conversation ends.

It ends at the palatable mental illnesses. We don't talk enough about trauma. There are some conversations around PTSD, but not enough. Schizophrenia? Bipolar Disorder? BPD? Never.
"It's too serious" Yes, and many people in the community are struggling and being told they don't get this support the other mental illnesses receive, because it's too much.

A manager should know what to do when an employee is in a mental health crisis. A friend needs to be able to spot someone detaching from reality. A family member needs to know how to perform mental health first aid and take care of their loved one. These conversations are CRITICAL for those who are suffering, and the target audience is everyone.

Everyone needs some basic understanding that mental health isn't fidget toys and breathing exercises. It's a rage fit, it's work absences, it's fear of leaving the house, it's so much more.

If your comment here is "those are too serious to talk about" you're not understanding the problem. We are isolating individuals who deserve dignity, respect, and assistance.

I am so sick "helping" being giving someone a coloring book or positive affirmations. We need mental health first aid. We need to spot the crisis and give each other resources for help. We need grounding techniques and safety lessons.

I want to find my place to help these issues. If you have a mental health track at your con, want a little zoom chat, or anything, I'm here to help share resources and help you expand your mental health wheelhouse.

You can find out where to get mental health first aid training here: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/take-a-course/find-a-course/

PTSD, schizophrenia, Borderline personality disorder, and Bipolar are way more common than you think, and there may be someone in your life going through that. Just be aware it's not all stress balls and gratitude journals.