The monsters in the closet

“JUST because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean the monsters in the closet don’t exist. It’s real.”

When people hear the word, “Monsters,” what comes out of their minds?

Dangerous? Terror? Scary? Smelly?

What if I tell you, it’s not all above? It is what’s inside of us.

We live in a society where we possess monsters inside of us. Some were created by their experiences, whether good or bad ones, this is something that we choose to have but embrace as part of us. Mental illness has long been misunderstood by society, when a person is sick, they take prescribed medication.

When they break a bone, they get fitted with a cast. But when they suffer from mental illness, they risk becoming ostracized and treated as helpless lunatics.

Common mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety, require much-needed attention because these common mental illnesses are still ignored and even stigmatized by society.

Awareness is the first step towards any form of change, but unfortunately, not all people understand the difference as they think it is less of a problem without knowing what people are dealing with inside.

It is difficult to open up to people who constantly criticize them for being “crazy” or just can’t accept they have it. Some are very good at hiding their inner monsters and have been in pain for years.

People don’t commit suicide because their life is bad. They commit suicide because negative thoughts run rampant and sometimes they feel like that’s the only way to stop it. Anxiety and depression are debilitating.

They cry for help but no one listens. To others, what they’re feeling is just nothing. But to them, it’s hurting. The pain is swallowing them alive.

Defeating the stigmas surrounding mental health is a necessary part of creating a healthy society. We fight physical diseases and illnesses in a unified manner. Nevertheless, we place less emphasis on mental health and stand divided on its severity.

Mental illness is a disease that may never be cured. It is almost impossible to prevent and even more difficult to cure and cope with. Take time to check the people around you. Listen and understand.

Set aside the judgment and do not insist on what you think is right but rather accept the emotion they’re feeling and make them feel loved. They need that. We all need that.

And for those who have them, don’t be afraid to ask for help. It takes a lot of courage to reach out to people who can help you or someone whom you trust and who listens to you without any judgment.

Also, find an outlet by engaging in creative pursuits such as writing and painting to help express your emotions. Having an outlet to express your emotions can help maintain stable mental health and continue to motivate the conversation surrounding mental health and well-being.

Talk to a professional. Take all the help you need because you are not alone in this journey. This is a journey one step closer to helping you live the life that you deserve.

Here is one of my favorite quotes from Harry Potter to remind you that you are not alone.

“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light.” — Albus Dumbledore

Remember, you are not alone. Never will be.