People from all over the world have come together to share their messages to people struggling with mental illness. What do they want them to know?
The messages are from supporters and people who have struggled with mental health conditions themselves. The contributors who have had mental health conditions also share in photos how they felt when they were first diagnosed and how they feel now that they have received treatment. They show that a bright, wonderful future is possible, know matter how bleak and painful things may feel now.
With all the stigma and misconceptions surrounding mental illness, projects like this are so important and refreshing. People are tired of one story about mental illness. People are tired of the dated judgment and fear. If you are stigmatizing people with mental health conditions, that's your problem, not their truth. People with mental health conditions are wonderful, bright people who are thriving members of your community. They are leaders, innovators, artists, doctors and sports stars. They are our loving family members and dear friends.
Think of four people you know and realize one in four people will suffer from a mental health condition. We need to stop the shame and isolation now.
The photos series has been made into a music video for the song, I'm An Apple, Too, from the new musical, We Have Apples, which addresses mental illness stigma and inadequacies in mental health care. All the photos can be seen in the video below. For more information on how to get involved with #teamapples, projects like this, and the musical, visit the musical's website.
___________________
If you -- or someone you know -- need help, please call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. If you are outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of international resources.