Normalizing Mental Health

Mental health is often viewed as a taboo topic. This is unfortunate because mental health is just as important as physical health. In fact, mental health and physical health are two sides of the same coin. The stigma around mental health prevents many people from seeking help when they need it. This month contains Mental Health Week, and I want to discuss the importance of normalizing mental health conversations.

Last week I was in a 6th-grade class, and we talked about times when we had sad and bad days and wished that someone would have noticed. Remember I said this was a 6th-grade class. Almost every student shared as I sat back and watched the empathy, emotions, and

genuine caring and support unfold. The 6th graders talked about their feelings, and their peers listened. It was beautiful. They were given permission and reassurance that it was a safe environment, and the conversations blossomed. Kids felt connected, supported, and safe. I’m sharing this with you because I want you to know how important it is for us to have these conversations with our kids. We as adults need to normalize mental health so that kids feel comfortable talking about their feelings and know that it's ok not to be ok sometimes. These conversations foster meaningful connections and can make all the difference for a struggling child. So let's keep the conversation going.

Conclusion paragraph: We can all do our part in normalizing mental health by starting conversations and being there for one another. It’s not always easy, but it’s essential. Let’s continue working together to shatter the stigma around mental health and create a supportive and understanding community. What have you found to be helpful when it comes to talking about or supporting someone with a mental illness?