World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10 every year. Its objective is to raise awareness around the world.

Because, in reality, how much do we know about mental health?

Often disvalued because many traits of mental illness can be invisible and because media has portraited these individuals as horrible stereotypes (yeah Hollywood, enough with your shitty movies!); beyond feeling blue sometimes or being considered to be explosive, mental illness is REAL.

Based on a report from WHO, by 2030 depression will be leading cause of the global burden of disease . BOOM!                                               

Not real enough?

Alarmingly, it is estimated that 1 person in each 10 diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder dies by suicide.

If we are not catching your attention yet, sorry to say (#NotSorry) you are part of the problem. The stigma around mental health, the lack of awareness and the poor information out there only worsens these issues.

Luckily, here are seven flash things you should know:

1. Mental health refers to cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being. It is all about how people think, feel, and behave. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
2. Mental illness can be the result of physical alterations (disregularion in some brain lobes, variation in some neurotransmitters, etc.) or psychosocial experiences (child abuse or neglect, etc.) or both things.
3. Depression is one of the leading causes of disability in the world, affecting 264 million people.
4. Worldwide, almost 800 000 people die by suicide every year; 1 person dies from suicide every 40 seconds. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in individuals aged 15-29 years.
5. Mental health is as important as physical health. They are both intertwined.
6. Around 1 in 5 of the world’s children and adolescents have a mental disorder.
7. People with severe mental disorders die 10 to 20 years earlier than the general population.
8. Mental illness can be prevented and treated, if we all take action.

Mental Health Day provides an opportunity to fight negative attitudes, misconceptions, prejudice and discrimination

So, how can you help?

Debunk debunk debunk

Promoting stigma and  stereotypes is the worst illness. There are so many assumptions when it comes to mental conditions but there is really so much we still don’t understand (yup, even the scientific community knows very little about it).

And most of the things you have been told are false. Not all people with BPD are these troublesome storms your have read about, depression does not look like crying all day, anxiety is not only having panic attacks, having a mental illness is not necessarily a life sentence, meds can be key in a treatment, there are many positive traits to having a mental condition (many emotions can be amplified, not only negative ones), and more!

Show individuals respect and acceptance

See the person and not the illness. Mental illness does not define people living with it.  This removes a significant barrier to successfully coping with their illness.

Also, remember that this is 2022, embracing diversity is hot!

Learn about mental health

Knowledge is part of the cure. Learning more about this subject allows us to cope or to provide support to those affected in our families and communities.

Look for information from reliable sources, talk openly about mental health, reach out to professionals, champion for the cause, spread awareness, donate if you can.

If you are struggling, help yourself

If you are struggling with any form of mental illness please seek professional help. This is one of the bravest things you can do. Look after yourself, love yourself.

With a wide range of tools (therapy, medication, exercise, whatever combo works best for you!) mental illness can be treated. Unfortunately, this does not mean your symptoms will disappear forever. But they can become easier to surf and crises can happen less often.

You deserve a fulfilling life, you really do.

By raising awareness on World Mental Health Day, and throughout the year, we can save lives and improve many others’.

Use this information and share it with a family member, friend, colleague, and/or neighbor. Contact us to share your story.

We need a day dedicated to mental health. Us, at The Borderline Project, dedicate 365 of them to all of you.