As societies, we don’t care enough to do the hard work required to change it. If we cared, we wouldn’t have years and years of stories like this. We wouldn’t have millions of people having to choose between eating and their mental health or being dumped into a system that offers no help.Â
But we do, and very few leaders are even talking about making the massive investments necessary to overhaul the system.Â
Because we don’t care.Â
It will leave you asking more questions than it provides answers, but these are questions we should be asking.Â
It sounds odd to me. But I realize that may be because I grew up and live in a society that doesn’t place enough value on friendship. If I want to value my friends more, why wouldn’t I do whatever I could to stay connected to my closest friends? Therapy could be a viable alternative to ending close friendships and losing connections that make a difference in our lives.Â
So, why not friendship therapy?Â
NAMI put out the original book – You Are Not Alone, to help people dealing with mental health issues.Â
This week, they released You Are Not Alone for Parents and Caregivers.Â
Is it a crisis that has teens struggling with mental health more recently, or is it some combination of cultural factors and more willingness to talk about mental health?Â
I love hearing more voices talking about mental health and seeing more stories and lived experiences shared. What I love more is people caring for themselves and doing what is good for their mental health.Â
