It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, an important time to share, support and get real about the issues impacting all of us: mental health conditions. Anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and many other mental health conditions don’t just happen to a select few, they impact millions of individuals around the world, not to mention their families and friends. The more we speak up and support one another with sound advice, resources and tools the more we can save lives.

The media often says that “1 in 5 people suffer from a mental health condition.” I’d argue that all of us, 5 in 5, struggle with mental health to varying degrees. As a therapist, author and business owner, it’s my mission to help end stigma, save lives and continue the conversation around healing from mental health conditions. I’m sharing my story, some of my favorite resources and tools to help you feel better.

Mental Health Awareness: My Journey From Patient to Psychotherapist

When we speak up, we help others do the same. I wouldn’t be a therapist if I’d never been a patient. Knowing that healing is possible and that there are people out there who want to help gave me the support I needed to transform my life.

As a therapist who mainly works with women and girls, I help clients reset their mindset and become more self-confident. Due to my own struggles with mental health challenges, anxiety, depression and an eating disorder that impacted my teen years, I learned that speaking up about my own mental health issues helped others feel less alone, helped them heal and reduced the stigma around mental illness that interferes with so many getting the help that can save their lives.

That’s why I wrote my book Express Yourself and created my company Rock Your Worth, Therapist-Approved Tools for Transformation, because I wanted to give people the tools and support that helped me.  I wanted something visual that would radiate positive energy, these tools have helped me and thousands of clients and customers break-free from negative thinking patterns and build unstoppable confidence.

Mental Health Awareness Can Save Lives

If you’ve been struggling with feeling sad or hopeless, it’s likely NOT a phase. If your child, family member or friend has expressed that they’re not okay, they’re not okay. Speak up and seek help or ask how you can help a loved one if you are concerned. When you are silent, you are letting the stigma win. Misconceptions about depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders prolong the pain and promote stigma, click here to read more about mental health support.

Mental Health Organizations That Can Help You

When we speak up about our own experiences and empower those who are struggling, we break down the barriers to treatment. So many people are afraid of discrimination and stigma around mental health issues. However, the world is changing. There are more outspoken celebrities, therapists (myself included) and organizations out there to help you, your family or a loved one get the help they need in a compassionate and effective way.

We’re All a Little Crazy is a mental health resource whose tagline is #Samehere in an effort to eradicate stigma and provide support for mental health conditions. Founded by my friend, Eric Kussin, We’re All a Little Crazy helps the public understand that mental health exists on a continuum. Eric brings together athletes, celebrities, and expert practitioners to help others get help and support across the globe.

HealthyPlace.com  is the largest consumer mental health site, providing trusted information on mental health disorders and psychiatric medications from both a consumer and expert point of view. I wrote for HealthyPlace.com for eight years and was blown away by the mental health support they offer their audience. They provide online psychological tests, breaking mental health news, mental health videos, unique tools to help those struggling with a mental health condition, as well as those who want to learn more about mental health.

Active Minds an awesome organization providing mental health help and awareness to college campuses
#ImNotAshamed by Project Fab Life putting an end to mental health stigma and empowering others to share their stories.

This is My Brave. A fantastic nonprofit sharing stories of hope, recovery and encouragement. helping those who struggle get help and share their stories.

For more information on mental health awareness, or if you are struggling please visit the National Alliance on Mental Health.