I might’ve talked about this in the past but like I hate how mental health is portrayed in like media and real life. I was having a conversation and it reminded me of this point. So let me break this down into two sections of media and IRL
Now this doesn’t go for all media and I think that some shows do it really well but there’s this common thing in media that I always see. Low self esteem. Most the time a character who is depressed or struggling with suicidal ideations
I won’t deny that’s realistic but I think that it’s really 2D for a character who struggles with mental health to only have that one issue
You don’t have to have low self esteem to be depressed. Theres so many causes for depression and mental issues and half of them don’t even have to relate to self image. Yet media is constantly showing us characters who are depressed because they hate themselves or hate how they look or things like that.
When I look to media I really love when writers can give these characters well thought out plots or do something unexpected.
Showing a character who has so much self love yet still struggle with these issues of depression and mental health makes a character so interesting because it gives it almost irony. It challenges a reader’s view and thoughts about mental illness and shows that there can be more causes.
I think there’s a whole untouched world when it comes to mental illness in media and that writers should really look deep into these untouched path’s.
Another thing I have a peeve with is how certain mental illnesses are shown in media
Writers tend to have this problem with making a characters mental health their entire personality which I think is completely wrong when writing characters. Instead of being the characters main plot it should instead be an accessory unless your piece of media is focused on that mental illness.
It should help develop the plot and be a stepping stone for the main character or maybe just another thing that can occasionally add something
I hate how media makes it seem like it’s impossible to live with mental illness or how it’s just a struggle
Instead it’s like the process of art. Some parts are bad and some parts are good and it comes together to make this one beautiful art piece that goes in someone’s gallery. It’s not a tool and it’s not entirely a disability it’s just apart of who you are not who you are entirely but a piece of you.
It makes a characters character so much stronger by showing this grey area of mental illness and gives them so much more depth.
I’ve been to mental hospitals before and I’ve been hospitalized many times for my mental health. Yet every single time I get the same solutions and the same questions.
“Do you hate yourself?” “Try focusing on your self love” “do you hate your body? Is it because of your self image?” “Tell yourself you’re beautiful”
While I believe these things are all so helpful they’re not the solution to every problem.
Personally my self image isn’t something I struggle with much. I love my body, my face, my personality, my sexuality, and my gender. I’ve come to love and accept myself for my struggles and my strengths.
Yet I still struggle with suicide and mental issues.
It’s hard explaining to people over and over that I’m not humble I don’t hate myself I really do love myself to maybe a narcissistic point. Yet our society is stuck on this image that teenagers who are suicidal or depressed are either overdramatic or are just emo and hate themselves.
They look over the true core issues and make automatic assumptions based on preconceived notions that has been drilled into our developing minds. It follows this toxic masculinity culture and a need for people to constantly get better or try to overcome.
Some mental illnesses can never truly be cured and even with medicine you can still struggle. Anxiety, depression, mania, and all those things can still happen even while on very effective meds
Yet they push this belief that you have to deny what you are and try to be better then it instead of accepting it and adapting it into your life.
It makes it harder for people who have extreme disorders such as bipolar, BPD, OCD, ADHD, ADD, Schizophrenia, etc. to live normal lives
You almost have to alienate yourself for these disorders you have.
But that’s just not true. as I said earlier in the media portion of this rant your mental health is just another piece of you that you should come to love and accept. It’s something that you can live with and adapt your life too. People who don’t have these things can’t understand that because they haven’t experienced that.
That’s why it’s important for people with conditions and disabilities to speak up and talk about their experiences.
I’m a time where censorship is prevalent and the world is seeming to blend into the same blonde eye blue hair trend where everyone should be white and live in the suburbs it’s important to show that being different is okay. Because we are all human. We all deserve love and to have happy and normal lives. We all deserve to feel free and respected while showing who we are with pride.
This may mean nothing to you but simply if you agree maybe give this a reblog and send this to someone who might need it
Your mental health is important so speak up and tell your story.
Comment your story if you want or even tell your own on the reblog. I would love to hear it and see your pride
dailybridgerton
blakekathryn
gracieabrams
theartofmadeline
2087
