It's OK to talk about mental health issues

by Kelly Strampe, HSC Prevention Coalition

It’s OK to not be OK, and it’s OK to talk about It … Or is It?

“It’s OK to not be OK” is a common slogan in mental health awareness. It’s a powerful statement that recognizes and normalizes the experience of struggling, feeling overwhelmed, or not being at one’s best. It emphasizes that even negative emotions like sadness, anxiety, or frustration are part of being human. Adding “it’s OK to talk about it” adds an interesting twist to the slogan. That’s a pretty bold statement for a small town like Thermopolis. After all, we all know how fast a juicy piece of gossip can travel in a small town or on local social media. Does a person really want to be vulnerable and open up about a divorce, a mental health struggle, or a family member dealing with addiction? And yet we know that reaching out can make all the difference as we all need support and encouragement as we navigate through difficult times.

A shift has been taking place in our country where society is getting more comfortable discussing mental health. Even in Wyoming, you can see a poster from the AgriStress Helpline for Wyoming that has a picture of a rancher hunched over with his head in his hands and the slogan “It’s OK to Ask for Help”. In the Big Horn Basin, there have been Mental Health Awareness and Fitness Fairs in 3 towns in the last year and a half. Shell, Cowley and Worland all hosted very successful events in their communities, featuring speakers, resources and vendors. Cody will be the next town in the Basin to host a Fitness Fair. Could Thermopolis be after that?

Mental Health Awareness Month recognizes that mental health is just as important as physical health when it comes to overall wellness. Mental health affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

Mental illness, also called mental health conditions, are treatable medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feelings, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Mental illnesses are not imaginary; they’re very real and common. They are diagnosed by medical professionals and conditions can vary from mild to severe. The symptoms can vary based on available care and support to manage them. 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illnesses each year. That’s twice as common as those living with diabetes, which is 1 in 10.

Both physical and mental illnesses are common and treatable, but we talk about them so differently because of stigma. At one time there was a lot of stigma around breast cancer and people didn’t talk about it openly. Let’s work to reduce the stigma around mental health by talking openly about it. Let’s be encouraging people to be open and honest about their feelings, rather than feeling pressured to always appear happy or put together. It can be very uncomfortable for people to admit they are not okay. “It’s OK to not be OK” is about kindness, compassion, empathy and understanding. It acknowledges that life can be difficult and reassures people that they are not alone in their struggle, and that they are no less valuable or worthy because of their struggles. Let’s create connections and improve mental health for all.

Hot Springs County Prevention Coalition