🫶 What I Wish More People Understood 🫶
Mental health is often talked about but still widely misunderstood. Sometimes people assume struggles are “just sadness,” that healing happens quickly, or that if someone looks okay on the outside, they must be doing fine on the inside. The truth is, mental health is deeply personal, complex, and different for everyone.
For some, it’s anxiety that never fully quiets. For others, it’s depression that makes even simple tasks feel exhausting. It can be invisible, confusing, overwhelming, and at times isolating but it can also be something people learn to manage, understand, and grow through with support.
What’s something you wish more people understood about mental health?
It could be a misconception, a personal experience, or something you’ve learned on your own journey.
Share what’s on your heart your voice may help someone else feel seen and understood. 💚
@LexListens2025
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I wish more people could understand how seemingly normal things or sayings can be an underlying issue with mental health. Too many people joke about it, I think I'm even guilty of doing that but since then have grown from the point. I do agree that people think the struggles are just sadness because people will say they're depressed just by being a little bit sad.
I just don't think people take it seriously, and it's not talked about enough. If it is talked about, then people really don't understand. I don't think people can truly understand how it feels unless they themselves actually have been through it.
I might not be the best person to talk about mental health but, I do have personal experience with it and all of this just goes from what I know. I think school can also have a bad influence on mental health as well that not many people talk about. Teachers are always like hustle hustle hustle and it gets really overwhelming when you try doing everything. Then when you can't do everything, you feel like a failure and everyone is doing better than you. Even if it's just your mind lying to you since you don't really know how another person lives their lives and what their habits are.
It becomes even worse when you go online and see all these self help videos. "How I get straight A's with minimal studying", "how I plan the perfect schedule", "how I transformed my life". (These are just random titles I don't know if these are actual titiles or not) Not all of these advice that they give in these videos will help and it may make you feel like more of a failure. Like I've tried to make these things work but it's hard when you have such a low capacity and everything overwhelms you, making you procrastinate even when you don't want to. It's hard to even survive school.
I am not sure if I answered the question properly but, this is just my personal experience. It's surprising to me that I've survived this long. Genuinely, I don't know how I'm still here. It's pretty isolating living like this. I think people can relate, and I know that I'm not alone in this and I hope this helps people feel less alone. I'm sorry to anyone who has ever experienced something like this.
Basically what I'm trying to say, is that people who never went through mental health issues sometimes underplay the importance and say they are 'just joking' even if it can be hurtful towards others. It is important to note that these issues can be really serious and make someone else feel horrible with their lives, it's not as easy as people would think to live with something like that. And the advice that's given to people that don't have mental health issues almost never work for those who do or those that just have a low capacity and when they try working hard, they get so stressed, feel bad about themselves, get a low self esteem, and mental health issues. Also, mental health issues have bad impacts on your body. I've also experienced this and it just makes you feel worse.
It does get better though if you take things one step at a time and there is a way out of any issue. I realized that it might just be for the best if you figure it out for yourself or talk to people who would actually understand your issues and give you the right type of advice. Everyone is different and needs different things.
@Paliloveyourself
Thank you for sharing - this was very information and well-written. :)
❤️❤️❤️
@Paliloveyourself
Thank you for sharing this so openly. You answered the question beautifully, and with a lot of honesty.
What stood out to me most was how clearly you explained that mental health is often misunderstood not just in obvious ways, but in the small comments, jokes, comparisons, and pressures that slowly build up. You put words to something many people feel but struggle to explain: how exhausting it is when your mind is already heavy, and the world keeps telling you to “just try harder,” “be more productive,” or “follow what worked for someone else.”
You also made an important point about school, self-help culture, and comparison. So many people quietly carry that feeling of “why can’t I do what everyone else seems able to do?” That can become incredibly isolating, even when you’re surrounded by people. Your words will likely help others feel seen in that experience.
I’m especially glad you included that healing looks different for everyone. That’s such an important reminder there is no one-size-fits-all advice, and sometimes the most helpful thing is finding what genuinely works for you, at your own pace.
I’m really sorry for the pain and loneliness you’ve experienced, and I appreciate the compassion you still hold for others despite carrying so much yourself. The fact that you shared this may help someone reading feel a little less alone today.
Thank you for your vulnerability it matters more than you know. 💚
@LexListens2025
I wish more people understood:
- It is an incredibly difficult life, and sometimes mentally ill people cannot live the "normal" life you do.
- Symptoms may be difficult or bothersome, but you can't help them or control some of them
- A lot of mental illness is very difficult to treat so no, you can't just "go to the doctor and get a pill"
- Some people with mental illness cannot work and cannot function. A lot of the time, this can lead into homelessness and drug abuse. I know - it happened to me. Now you see where "crazy homeless person" comes from. This is a mentally ill individual who has not been able to sustain safety and security for themselves, and no one is helping them do so, except those of us out here on the street trying to help them find resources.
- Stigma makes our lives even more difficult than they already should be. If you're mentally ill and not a normal part of society, there's something deemed inappropriate about you. People will no longer be your friend. Family members will be distant. It might be hard to meet new people or date, or even get a job.
- Mentally ill people want your help. They want you in their lives. They just don't know how to ask sometimes. If it seems like someone in your life needs help, please help them find it. There are many resources online. If you need some more specific, please message me.
- We just want to be understood, accepted and loved for who we are despite our illness.
Thank you for sharing ☺️ I've never thought that the "crazy homeless person" could just be someone that is struggling mentally. I'm glad to know now, it's great to share these things so people can learn to be more compassionate 💕 and I do agree, everyone deserves to be accepted for who they are but our society is so bad. I hate society 😔
@TovaCares76
Thank you for sharing something so deeply personal and honest. Your post carries a lot of truth, and I can hear how much lived experience is behind your words.
What really stands out is how powerfully you explain that mental illness is not simply something a person can “snap out of” or fix overnight. You highlighted something many people don’t understand that symptoms can affect every part of a person’s life, from daily functioning, to relationships, work, housing, and feeling connected to society. That reality is often overlooked, and your perspective brings important awareness to it.
I was also moved by what you shared about stigma. The way people distance themselves, judge, or misunderstand mental illness can create another layer of pain on top of what someone is already carrying. No one deserves to feel pushed aside for struggling.
What you said near the end was especially meaningful: mentally ill people want help, understanding, acceptance, and love they just may not know how to ask. I think that message is incredibly important for others to hear. Sometimes reaching out is hard, and having someone notice, listen, or gently offer support can make a real difference.
I’m grateful you used your voice to speak on this, especially after what you’ve been through. The compassion you still show toward others wanting people on the street to find resources, encouraging others to help, and speaking up so people understand more says a lot about your strength and heart.
Your story matters, your perspective matters, and I’m sure your words will make someone reading feel seen and understood. 💚
@LexListens2025
Gosh Lex you have me in tears :) I am an open book when it comes to my personal struggles, and I just want other people to know that they're seen and heard and there is help out there. Thank you for seeing and hearing my message :)
