By Brooke Dishman

When there is something wrong with our bodies, we go to the doctor to try to figure out what is wrong and find a solution. Our friends and family come and offer support.

But what happens when there is something wrong with us mentally? How do we respond? What about our family and friends?

When someone receives a cancer diagnosis, for example, we often hold rallies, and raise funds to support the person who is suffering. And I think that is great; it shows how strong all of us can be in a time of difficulty. But why don’t we show that support to people diagnosed with mental illness?

When we see someone suffering from depression, we might hesitate to be around them. We might blame the person who is suffering. We might believe it’s for attention. We may even think their behavior is unacceptable and that it’s up to them to change their attitude or to make the choice to be happy. But it’s not that simple.

Now I’m not saying we have to hold a rally in support of someone suffering from anxiety or depression. The point I want to make is that we don’t take mental illness as seriously as we should. And that’s a shame.

The problem is that we don’t see mental illness as…an illness. We see it as a lifestyle or choice. We assume it’s a result of our circumstances and that if something bad happens to us, we can choose to be depressed or choose to get over it. It’s true that bad things that happen to someone can lead to depression, but there are many causes of mental illness. This is not an excuse to avoid doing anything about it, but it’s easier to do something if we view mental health as something we need to treat and maintain in the same way we do with our bodies.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about one in five Americans, both children and adults, will deal with a mental illness. Think about that: Of all the people you encounter every day, one in five of them are fighting a battle inside themselves that you know little or nothing about. Maybe you are one of those who are suffering, and you wish that other people understood or that you knew where to go for help.

To those who are suffering: Don’t feel ashamed. Don’t feel like you’re any less of a person because of what you’re going through. And don’t back down from your struggle. Seek help. Be open and honest, both with yourself and others, about what you’re going through.

And finally, know that you’re not alone in your struggle. If we all work together, we can bring hope to those who need it and defeat mental illness.