There are so many issues happening right now, that so many people feel strongly about. The world has not been normal for basically all of 2020! Let’s think about it, the year started out with Australia dealing with devastating wild fires. Then we got into talks about WW3. Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash. Then the all too famous, Corona virus hit. That has been an ongoing struggle, masks, no masks, what do we do? Then there was the death of George Floyd, that sparked so many protests and issues with Law Enforcement. I could pick any of these many issues. I’m not going to though. People are welcome to debate those issues all they want, I know where I stand with things, and I also know enough, not to blast it on the internet.

The thing that I feel so strongly about it is – mental illness. There are many different kinds of mental disorders that people struggle with, every day. I, specifically, have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression. Depression runs in my family and I have been able to talk to family members, who understand exactly what I am going though. My aunt and I have talked so many times about the fact that if you have never experienced it, you will never truly understand it. So, it’s unfortunate that we go through it, but it is nice to have people that understand it.

If you haven’t seen the new “Joker” movie, I would recommend it. Yes, it can over exaggerate certain things, but I believe it is a really good depiction of the reasons people break. I think it accurately shows how insensitive, judgmental, and downright mean that people in this world can be.

My favorite quote from that movie is, “The worst part of having a mental illness, is people expect for you to behave as if you don’t.” So, tell me. How are we “supposed” to act if we are in the middle of a deep depression? How do we act when we are driving down the road and have an anxiety attack? Oh, we should just act like it isn’t happening?! We should “just be happy” or “just calm down”? I wish it were that easy.

There is so much more I want to say about it, but I’m just going end by saying this. People don’t understand that living with a mental illness is literally being at war with yourself. Every day. It can sometimes be a living hell and it’s not something that you can stop. So, if you know someone who is suffering, be a little kinder to them, be patient with them, and know – they’re trying.