If you know someone with a mental health illness, please be mindful of what you say. Time and time again, I am told that I’m imagining my anxiety, depression, OCD and PTSD. I’m told that if only I tried harder, I wouldn’t need to pay someone to help me work through my issues. Or my personal favorite that friends and family have started is to tell me that if I prayed more and believed in God more then I wouldn’t need medication to stabilize my emotions so I can think rationally. If you believe that, keep it to yourself. If you believe in God, then you also believe he’s felt all the pain and suffering of every person on the earth, including those who struggle with their mental health. If you wouldn’t tell God he wasn’t good enough for feeling those pains and struggles, don’t tell those who trust you enough to confide in you that. If you know nothing about the illness your friend or family member struggles with, then keep your damn mouth shut and refer them to their health professionals.

Getting off my soapbox now, but seriously. It’s not that hard.