Mental Illness

Mental = relating to the mind.
Illness = mind or body ailment.

When people hear the words mental illness, they often think of the extreme versions. Today, most adults know there are spectrums to mental illness. I've written about some causes, because of my education, and I realize there are some who may never be healed because of brain damage.

However, the mental illness I wish to discuss is the one that can cause this feeling of dis-ease. The feeling of hopelessness, that we see in many young people today. As well as a separation from reality, possibly due to drugs, bullying, taking a wrong path, or a dealing with a hurtful childhood... among other things that can cause someone to lose control and do harmful things to themselves or others. I relate it to someone drowning in their emotions... lost souls.

I want to share some things I've experienced with helping others. Unless someone has been diagnosed with a severe mental illness, or brain damage, most can be helped with love, compassion, patience and fortitude. They're often desperate.  They want help. They want answers. They want hope. They want change. Most are impatient with all of what they want.

Well, I've learned that I have helped in those areas. I offered help and hope with answers to their questions. I can't begin to tell you how many times I've done this throughout my life. I was once called a comforter, but my "tough love - no nonsense approach" is what I think they really appreciate. They need that reality to help ground them. They need that person who becomes a sound-minded lifesaver to prevent their emotional drowning. They don't like hearing they're often their real enemy... until they get it. Then the light of truth illuminates the darkness in their mind.

Over the years, I've also learned that many want a person in their life they feel they never had. Sometimes, they just need a shoulder to cry on or a person who will listen. What I see, in our troubled and hateful world, is often quite the opposite. There are countless emails and personal messages that I've received that will attest to this. People who I've offered support whenever needed. Young people who were suicidal and now living a mentally healthy life... because someone cared. Someone who showed them that life can and will get better. Someone who saw their "mental illness" and showed them a better path. Someone they believed in until they began to believe in themselves.

That's the mental illness I'm seeing in many of these troubled souls who are committing acts of violence. I know we aren't their saviour, they have to open the door to save themselves. I'm just hoping people will start seeing this too and start putting out the effort to show them the door that they can open. It can be done behind the safety of the internet, if one is unsure of the person, or reach out within your community. Whichever way feels the most comfortable. Either way, it's not just up to the government... it's up to humanity.