Clicks Do NOT Help Mental Illness

     

Far too often family and friends pick and choose who they will support throughout their mental illness.  This is usually done because of "othering" in regard to the medical condition. What is overlooked is the fact the "outsider" and the "included" both see how the other is being treated.  The loneliness one is experiencing is on the mind of the other who is (nervously) awaiting their rotation outside of the care of the click.  Those you believe that you are loving through their mental illness are fully aware of the criticisms that you bestow upon the other.  Therefore, should they perceive a misstep to mirror that of the "outsider" they tend to spiral.  They tend to believe that they are next to become banished into solitude.  

     You do this in lieu of (actually) learning about their illness and how best to help.

      You think that that last sentence was a stretch, don't you?  Answer me this, do you find yourself frustrated that the solution YOU determined for someone isn't turning into the cakewalk that you predicted? Are you (at times) left wondering why they have become suicidal out of (seemingly) nowhere? Have you convinced them that you are all they need as (primary) support, yet you are unprepared, drained, and drowning?

    You have spent far too long vilifying mental illness when you thought that it only resided in whom you did NOT like.  You gained a changed stance due to who within your "mean girl group" now lives within the realm of mental illness.  No one has forgotten your previous words, actions, and/or opinions.  No blind eye is being delivered to your "you're just like..." as any "down days/feelings" surface.

     Mental illness is NOT an ailment that you can use to justify your disdain, envy, jealousy, etc for a friend or family member.  You can NOT use an aspect of someone's health as a Russian roulette method of gaining (or maintaining) popularity within a friend group or a family.  

     Imagine going through something, DAILY, that is confusing and scary within itself alone or under the (perceived) threat of becoming alone.

     Clicks DO NOT help any family or friend group under the best of conditions.  How well do you truly believe that the mentality contained within one would be beneficial when mental illness is folded into the mix? It is BAD enough that far too often mental illness is villainized and weaponized by those intending to insult and harm.  It is even WORSE when one's mental health issues (real or perceived) cause one to become void of a support system or placed into a bubble of wondering when the day will come that they are no longer accepted.  

     Moreover, STOP waiting until someone has ascended to the ancestors to say, "they could've come to me" or "I wish I knew what they were going through". Both are bold-faced lies.  NOTHING about your interactions (or lack thereof) showed either to be true.  Additionally, you KNEW what they were going through because your gossip, lies, and banishment contributed to what their mindset.  

     Do BETTER.

Mental Health Conditions

How to be Supportive