I’m tired. It’s 12:30 a.m. as I’m typing the first version of this (surely the first of many.) The funny thing is, if that were the real reason I were so tired, I would feel a lot better because I wouldn’t need to be saying half of the things I’m about to say.

I’m tired of the negative stigmas surrounding mental health. It’s tiring; how there’s such a major difference between not being able to go out because you have the flu and because you’re having a panic attack.

Anyone who knows me well knows how seriously I take these discussions surrounding mental health. That’s because mental illnesses are real – too real – and are constantly affecting those around us; I’m talking about your best friend, who is all too well aware of her body and others’ reactions to it, and your co-worker, who is always leaving the room unannounced as that’s the only way they can contain their ticking time bomb. Take it easy on those people, please. Even today, it remains difficult to talk about mental health as it’s such a sensitive topic that people feel will subject them to ridicule and embarrassment. It’s like trying to have an open conversation when everyone’s holding closed books. Sometimes the only person you can trust is yourself.

You – please don’t forget to take care of yourself, too. If you feel like no one cares, because I know sometimes (often times) it can seem that way, I assure you that I care and I am rooting for you. You are so brave and you CAN get through this and everything you are going through. Believe me. There is light on the other side and you’re closer to it than you think.

Today, January 27, for ‪#‎BellLetsTalk‬ Day, I post this as a reminder to everyone that you are never alone, no matter how small you may feel in the moment, and that it’s time for us to open our books and our hearts. If you’re reading this, I want you to reach out to someone today and remind them that they’re so, so loved. I don’t think we get reminded of that enough. You can only tell so much about a person from the way they present themselves and there will always be so much that we don’t know, even about the people closest to us. So, before you judge a person or any part of their situation, keep that in mind. We are all fighting some type of battle. Despite the popular belief, mental illness is not something that just “goes away,” and it’s not something that can be shoved under a rug and ignored. Not anymore.

Tweet using the hashtag #BellLetsTalk, and if you’re with Bell, send texts and make mobile/long distance calls to your distant cousins for once. While you’re at it, ask them how they’re doing.

I wholeheartedly support initiatives like #BellLetsTalk Day but I know what’s of central importance is keeping the conversation going.

So, let’s talk – not just today, but every day.

Lovelovelove