Personal Journeys: The Road to Healing, Pt. 2
written by Ashley L.
In the midst of a pandemic, many of us are struggling in ways we have never experienced before. There has been such a widespread effect on mental health—an increase in reports of depression, anxiety, disrupted sleep and the like due to the persistent high stress state we find ourselves in as we adjust to the new normal of the world around us. For me personally, this has meant worsening depression and a reduced ability to cope with the range of physical and mental health issues I face on a daily basis. It is quite easy to isolate oneself when seeing other people in person is not possible, and isolation can discourage discussion of mental health issues altogether. However, we don’t have to struggle in silence. Talking openly and honestly about mental illness is important for many reasons: it can help those struggling feel less alone, remove stigma that may prevent them from seeking help, and encourage growth and healing. Allowing oneself to be vulnerable in this way is not easy, and for some (myself included) it is a daunting task, but I truly believe it is worth the initial discomfort.
Being open about these things is still fairly new to me. In the past I saw my vulnerability as a weakness and couldn’t bear the idea of others knowing how much I was struggling just to get through the day. Whenever I experienced a particularly intense depressive episode, I would isolate myself and spiral into a worse mental state that I believed there was no escape from, often for weeks at a time. I spent far more time than I would like feeling ashamed of my struggle and worrying that being open would alienate friends and family. I once believed that my pain–mental and physical–would be a burden to those around me if they were aware of it. However, in my experience, this has not been the case at all. My family may not necessarily understand what I’m dealing with, but their support has been crucial to my healing process. My friends see me no differently than they used to–but they do check in on me from time to time to make sure I know they’re in my corner. The conversations we are now able to have are more open and honest than ever, and this has made those relationships stronger. Sharing my experience was not easy, but it was worth it for the strength I have found in vulnerability. We are stronger together than apart, and the benefits of being open in this way are immense. Not having to hide my pain has helped me accept and process it, which I believe plays a key role in healing. Today, when I recognize the signs that my mental health may be taking a turn for the worse, I make sure to reach out to those closest to me for support, and it has made a world of difference in my ability to cope.
Every path to healing is unique. Some people may not be ready to be open about their journey–I certainly wasn’t at first. Getting to that point takes a great deal of time and effort. If being open with someone you trust isn’t an option, I encourage you to at least be open with yourself. Look inwards, and acknowledge what you’re going through. Know that your experience is valid and that healing is possible if you put in the work. Remember that you are not alone and you will get through this. Have hope. You’ll get there eventually. The path to healing may be arduous and it may take longer than you’d like, but there’s no time limit.
Ashley L. is a mental health advocate and an avid appreciator of all things artistic. She graduated from University of Alberta in 2018 with a BSc specializing in Biochemistry. Through sharing her journey through chronic illness and struggles with mental health, she strives to help others through their own healing journey.
