You're not invisible

"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind."

1 Peter 3:8

There may be some truth to the fact that mental health is an invisible experience. You can see a broken arm to know that it needs to be fixed. You cannot, with the naked eye, see the pain that is occurring in someone's life. Mental health is invisible to the outside world. Why? In my opinion, a lot of people who experience mental health are strong, warriors, who at times keep it from being seen by the outside world. This strength, in trying to make it look like everything is okay, however can at times make it hard to be strong enough to battle the real battle, the depression and the anxiety. Imagine being able to fight these internal battles, rather than having to put on a brave face. It also seems that many people are not aware enough to recognize the signs in others. Whether because they choose to ignore it, or they simply do not know.

Another reason that mental health is often invisible is because it has a chemical component. There is research that supports both a biological factor to mental heath and an environmental. Some of these factors are invisible to the outside world, and some are hidden because of embarrassment or fear.

Depression and anxiety, have external signs that are visible to others. The war that occurs in the mind has side effects, like crying, isolation, anger, worry, etc. These are just the side effects of the real struggle happening in a person's life, in a person's mind. The true experiences that the individual goes through while battling these wars, is virtually invisible. You truly do not know what is going on in someone else's world. It may seem like they have it together, however, you have no idea the battles that they face daily, hourly, minute by minute, and each second of the day. Some of the strongest people you may know, are fighting a battle you know absolutely nothing about.

Stigma is a word that is often brought up in conjunction with mental health. Stigma is the pre-judgement and or discrimination of a person regarding the perception of their mental health label. Stigma is not just a frightening word for someone who experiences depression and anxiety, it is also a frightening experience. The battle that they are fighting, is now one that has to be explained or justified to others. The experience of stigma, may lead to: being too scared to share how you are feeling; you may not believe that you will be heard; you may think that no one is there; you may wonder if it matters telling anyone at all. Thankfully there has been an increase in awareness. However, while people are becoming more knowledgable about mental health, it does not automatically make it easy for someone who is depressed or anxious to bring it up with others. Stigma is still very real in this world. Stigma can really only become obsolete with an increase in understanding, empathy and support. One way to decrease it within the community you live in, is to find time to seek understanding of someone's experiences, because all experiences are different. Allow this conversation to be on their terms, not on yours. Open up your mind to something that may be challenging to understand. At times, the one going through it does not understand it either. Listen, don't talk. Listen, don't judge. Listen, don't interrupt. Listen.

While the mental health war might be invisible,

the People who experience mental health are not.

Scripture:

James 4:11

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

Reflection:

What are the invisible struggles you are facing?

How might you give those struggles to God, to find peace?

How has stigma created pain in this world? In your experiences?

Does depression or anxiety keep you from feeling visible?

Who do you want to see you?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, as I sit alone in times of depression and anxiety I find that I feel invisible. I feel lost in a world that I sometimes do not understand myself. I see through these eyes that at times do not feel like my own. I see a world outside of me that I feel so separated from, distant yet in the middle of it all. Lord, then I am reminded that I am found in you. You see me, you hear me, and you know me. You know the trials that I face and the battles that I fight. Remind me Lord to find you in my times of loss. Remind me Lord, that in you I am always found. I am always home. I am always seen. In your son Jesus Christ. Amen.