People Are Sharing Their Mental Health Journey on Twitter to Fight Stigma
A viral trend making its way around Twitter aims to destigmatize mental illness thanks to people sharing their experiences with mental health.
While it’s unclear where it started, people have been sharing the details of their mental health journey under the banner of “destigmatizing mental illness.” Tweets then include their name, diagnosis and a little about the treatments they find helpful or how their mental health has affected their job or schooling.
The number of tweets from people who experience mental illness serves as a powerful reminder that mental health impacts millions of people around the world. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), about 19% of people in the United States struggle with mental illness in any given year. As of 2018, only about 43% of those receive treatment. Stigma is one barrier to care.
“We struggle with the symptoms of our disability and then we also are challenged by the way society stereotypes us,” wrote Mighty contributor Alice Pirola, adding:
For instance, if we isolate ourselves because of depressive episodes, it does not help us in our healing. That’s the time that we need to reach out to those around us for help in pulling through the rough times. I know because I used to isolate and be fearful of what people would think or say if I told them what I was going through. What I found, however, is that people are more often willing to help and be there for you during those times of need.
One powerful way to combat mental health stigma, which Pirola also emphasized, is to speak openly to let others know they aren’t alone. That’s exactly what people have been doing on Twitter.
Here’s what people shared on Twitter to help destigmatize living with mental illness:
Destigmatizing mental illness: I'm Jesse a filmmaker and tv producer. I have bipolar 2 which manifests as a coping mechanism from growing up with abuse/ neglect. Although I lost everything to this disorder I have healed from much of it and am getting my life back. https://t.co/OMo9J3u1WP
— Jesse Zook Mann ????????♂️ (@zookmann) February 12, 2020
Destigmatizing mental illness: I’m Jarrett. I write and draw comics for young readers. I’ve been going to therapy for 11 years and was diagnosed with depression 3 years ago. Medication has helped. And I feel 100 pounds lighter every time I leave a session with my therapist. https://t.co/Hhd3jcqJTK
— Jarrett J. Krosoczka (@StudioJJK) February 12, 2020
Destigmatizing mental illness:
I'm Heather. I edit, write, and draw comics. I have anxiety, clinical depression, and C-PTSD. I go to weekly therapy. I'm 29. https://t.co/OpXVd7BaHY— Heather Antos (@HeatherAntos) February 12, 2020
Destigmatizing mental illness:
Anxiety, depression, OCD behaviors, childhood emotional trauma. Lexapro is my friend. Therapy helps. Like Joe says, nothing in comparison to many others, but these are the puppet strings I keep cutting. https://t.co/8lfHrJl6Gm
— Christopher Golden (@ChristophGolden) February 12, 2020
Destigmatizing mental illness: I’m Elizabeth. I’m a mom of 5, writer and artist. I have 2 published books and am writing a third. I’ve been sober for 10 months. I have Bipolar 1 + PTSD. I take daily meds, see my therapist weekly and psychiatrist monthly. I am 42. https://t.co/WCuM2GUaSr
— Elizabeth Esther (@elizabethesther) February 12, 2020
Destigmatizing mental illness: I'm Sarah Gailey, and I'm an author. I have deluxe PTSD with accompanying anxiety, depression, and significant issues with memory and sleep. My brain is swiss cheese and therapy keeps me almost-functional. ???? https://t.co/ljWXXHXpFS
— Sarah Gailey (@gaileyfrey) February 12, 2020
Destigmatizing mental illness:
I'm Victoria, a full-time fantasy author. I live with anxiety, panic disorder, ocd, depression, and disordered eating. I have been on SSRI meds for 6+ years, and they don't fix everything, but they help. https://t.co/CJt5IhX3C0
— Victoria/V.E. Schwab (@veschwab) February 12, 2020
Destigmatizing mental illness is something I do every day whether on purpose or not ???????? but yes. I’m Kate. I write and draw. I’ve got major depression, anxiety, ADHD and I’m a recovering alcoholic! I take meds every day to function. I’m still funny, accomplished & cute. ✌️ https://t.co/RknUBaBimG
— Kate Leth (@kateleth) February 12, 2020
I didn't know we were doing this! Destigmatizing mental illness: I'm Marianne, a writer/editor/semi-pro fat person. I'm bipolar (hypomanic) with a host of nonspecific other issues tied to trauma and anxiety! I've been in therapy for most of 29 years and it's AWESOME. https://t.co/yvDfnrErNN
— Marianne Kirby (@TheRotund) February 12, 2020
Destigmatizing mental illness:
Diagnosed Bipolar II/ADHD/PMDD. I've been in treatment for anxiety since age 10. Medication saved my life and, while it isn't for everyone, I think there's a lot of disinfo out there, especially where the effects on creativity is concerned
— Zoe Camp (@jzcamp) February 12, 2020
Destigmatizing mental illness:
I'm Jon. I write and draw comics about terrible people. I have Major Depressive Disorder with a side of social anxiety. I've been feeling the effects of depression since I was 13. It's not great. I do medication and additional medication. I'm 46. https://t.co/C8oCWaaaVz— jon rosenberg???????????? (@jonrosenberg) February 12, 2020
What’s been your experience with mental health? Share below!
Renée Fabian was the features editor at The Mighty. She has also written for The Washington Post, VICE, Healthline, Talkspace, The Fix, The Establishment, The Culture Trip, and GRAMMY.com, among others. Renée was named a 2019 AHCJ Comparative Effectiveness Research fellow, a 2020 USC Center for Health Journalism California fellow, and holds a master's degree in journalism from the University of Southern California and a master's degree in psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles. You can follow her on Twitter @ryfabian.
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