“I would like society and my loved ones to understand that: Mental health issues are just like any other health problem. Living with depression is hard. No matter how stable I am, or how stable I appear, nothing has changed on the inside. I have an illness.”
“One thing I would like to see change is: To be healthy and normal. To be understood by others. For mental illnesses to be accepted.”
These are just a few of the testimonials from patients at the Psychiatry University Clinic, marking World Mental Health Day (October 10), which is observed this year under the theme “Personal Experiences: Real Voices, Real Change”.
“We asked our patients to describe their feelings, struggles, and wishes through anonymous messages so that their voices could reach the public, foster greater understanding, and demonstrate that behind every diagnosis lies a person with their own story, needs, and hopes. The campaign, which the Psychiatry University Clinic will continue in the period ahead, aims to highlight the need for people living, or who have lived, with mental health challenges not only to be heard but also to have their experiences recognized as a valuable form of knowledge and insight. At a time when depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues are on the rise, we believe it is crucial to break down stigma and convey the message that seeking help is not a sign of weakness,” reads the clinic’s press release.