We would never tell someone with a broken leg that they should stop wallowing and get it together. We don’t consider taking medication for an ear infection something to be ashamed of. We shouldn’t treat mental health conditions any differently.

– Michelle Obama 

As of 2024, the U.S. population is estimated at approximately 335 million. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), more than one in five adults in the United States lives with a mental illness (2022). In the past year alone, 23.08% of adults in America – nearly 60 million people – experienced a mental health condition. Alarmingly, 5.04% of U.S. adults reported having serious thoughts of suicide. Additionally, more than 45 million people, or 17.82% of adults, struggle with a substance use disorder (SUD), including 11.28% with alcohol use disorder and 9.41% with drug use disorder. A 2025 report published by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) states that 80% of individuals who could benefit from treatment do not seek help, primarily due to the high cost of care and the persistent stigma surrounding mental illness. 

It’s human nature to place blame when we see something we’re afraid of or don’t understand. This truth applies to mental health as well. People are often shamed for their mental health struggles, making them less likely to seek support. Over the years, society has perpetuated discrimination against those who are mentally unwell, creating barriers that prevent marginalized groups from accessing the care they need and deserve. 

Given these staggering statistics, support for mental health awareness organizations and movements ought to become a societal priority. Psychiatrist and psychologist Wulf Rössler once stated, “There is no country, society, or culture where people with mental illness have the same societal value as people without mental illness.” Now is the time to break the connection between mental illness and identity by dropping the labels, because, above all, we are children of the Most High God (Psalm 82:6)! As Elyn R. Saks, a renowned expert in mental health law and winner of the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, wisely said, “The humanity we all share is more important than the mental illness we may not.” 

We must end the cycle of shaming individuals who struggle with mental health challenges through no fault of their own. The human brain is the most complex of all organs, and yet, if it malfunctions, those affected are often stigmatized, penalized, or even demonized. Consider how we respond to heart attacks, broken bones, or cancer—our immediate reaction should reveal the stark contrast in the way society views physical health versus mental health. The level of support a person receives for a physical injury or ailment is vastly different from the care extended to someone with a mental health diagnosis. 

There is a clear need for unlearning outdated misconceptions and relearning the truth. We must be open about our personal struggles and stand up for others who face prejudices. We must speak the truth, in love, and confront stereotypes surrounding mental health. We must challenge media portrayals that negatively impact the ways in which we perceive mental illness.  

Take, for example, Theodore Finch from the 2020 Netflix adaptation of All the Bright Places. Finch lives with an undiagnosed mental health condition, is misunderstood by his peers and labeled as a freak, and – spoiler alert – ultimately dies by suicide. His classmate, Amanda, who silently battles bulimia, confides in her best friend about her own struggle following his death. Although the story is fictional, it closely mirrors the heartbreaking reality many people with mental health conditions face, raising an important question: Why does it take tragedy for us to start speaking openly about mental health? 

In the blog, Her Mind, Her Story, a powerful message is shared:  

It’s okay to feel lost at times, 
It’s okay to cry. 
Having a fragmented heart does not prevent you from loving wholly, because although we are different, we are one in the fact that we all have the experience of being human and experiencing our fair share of suffering, pain, and confusion. 

Friend, it’s OK to ask for help. If you feel like the world has turned its back on you, remember that there are people who will always stand by your side. You are seen, you matter, and, most important, you are deeply and dearly loved by Jesus!

References

American Psychiatric Association. (n.d.). Stigma, prejudice and discrimination against people with mental illness. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination 

Mental Health America. (2024). Prevalence of mental illness 2024. https://mhanational.org/issues/2024/mental-health-america-prevalence-data 

National Council on Aging. (n.d.). Mental health stigma: Changing the conversation. https://www.ncoa.org/article/mental-health-stigma-changing-the-conversation 

National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Mental illness. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness 

Sensitive Black Man. (2021, June 17). It’s OK. Her Mind, Her Story. https://laubingbeandhermind.wordpress.com/2021/06/17/its-ok-2/