MENTAL HEALTH, HUH?
Today is #worldmentalhealthday2018.
Mental health?
Honestly, I’d much rather talk about sports (How about Baker Mayfield?), the weather (such an engaging topic) or even politics (let’s not go there actually) than mental health.
And for years, this is exactly what I did.
Shame, Guilt & Stigma
I chose to deal with my addiction (gambling) and mental health struggles (depression, anxiety, etc) in the same way that so many others do—alone in the dark, tucked safely away from public scrutiny and judgement. After all, this was the safest way to avoid the shame, guilt, and stigma I was so desperate to hide from.
It didn’t work.
LETTING IN THE LIGHT
My struggle with my addiction finally ended the day it wasn’t able to hide any longer. A fortuitous pocket dial and the understanding and foresight of the person I love most helped me take the first few steps into the light.
You see, that’s the thing with addiction and mental health issues—they thrive in darkness and suffocate in the light.
That’s why as much as I would like to continuing nodding my head that everything is great and talking Browns & Cavs, I know I need to continue to open up about my struggles. Not only to help myself, but to continue the domino effect that is currently underway and bringing much needed light into others trapped in the darkness.
Keeping the Conversation Going
As a former athlete, it’s been huge for my recovery to read the stories of people like Kevin Love, DeMar DeRozan, and Michael Phelps.
But you don’t need to be a superstar to change someone’s life.
I know this because I’ve been inspired by the people in my Facebook feed that have shared their struggles with addiction and mental health. Thank you! It’s been a huge help.
I also know it based on the countless emails and DMs I’ve received since launching the podcast which I’m quite proud of.
That’s the value in sharing, one by one helping someone else to realize that they aren’t alone and they don’t need to spend another day in their darkness.
Things aren’t perfect. They never will be.
I still struggle and not every day is great. However, I never want to return to the dark dungeon that I once occupied and sharing today is part of my journey to make sure I never return to that hell again.
Thanks for reading and feel free to share. It’s important that we all do!