Because silence helps no one—and shame doesn’t heal.
For too long, conversations around mental health have been wrapped in discomfort, judgment, and fear. We’ve whispered about depression behind closed doors. We’ve labeled anxiety as “dramatic,” trauma as “too much,” and therapy as a last resort. But here’s the truth:
Mental health is part of being human.
And breaking the stigma means finally treating it that way.
What Does Stigma Look Like?
Stigma isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s the silence after someone shares they’re not okay. Sometimes, it’s the labels we throw around without realizing the damage they cause. It shows up in the things we say—and the things we don’t.
Here are just a few ways it shows up:
🌀 “You don’t look depressed.”
🌀 “What do you have to be anxious about?”
🌀 “They’re just doing it for attention.”
🌀 “You’re being dramatic.”
🌀 “That’s too dark. Don’t talk about that.”
🌀 Avoiding conversations about self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or suicide because they make us uncomfortable.
These topics aren’t too heavy—they’re real. And the more we avoid them, the more people suffer alone.
The Weight of Silence Around Self-Harm and Suicidality
The stigma surrounding self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicide is particularly damaging. It breeds shame. It convinces people that they’re broken, attention-seeking, or a burden—when in reality, they’re often trying to survive overwhelming pain the best way they know how.
We don’t get to decide what someone’s breaking point looks like. We do get to decide if we’ll meet them with compassion or judgment.
Charissa and I have both encountered these stigmas—whether personally or in our support roles—and we’ve seen how dangerous it can be when people feel like they have to suffer in silence. These are not “taboo topics.” They are life-saving conversations.
Why It’s So Important to Break the Silence
When we talk openly about mental health—including the messy, raw, painful parts—we begin to replace shame with understanding, and fear with connection.
When we speak up, we:
🌿 Normalize reaching out for help
🌿 Show that it’s okay to not be okay
🌿 Create safer spaces for honesty and vulnerability
🌿 Let others know they aren’t alone, even in their darkest moments
How You Can Help Break the Stigma
You don’t have to have all the answers. You just need to show up.
🔹 Talk openly—not just about anxiety or depression, but also self-harm, suicidal thoughts, grief, and trauma
🔹 Respond with empathy instead of fear or judgment
🔹 Avoid minimizing language like “it’s just a phase” or “they just want attention”
🔹 Educate yourself on warning signs and how to support someone in crisis
🔹 Encourage honesty—and model it in your own life
🔹 Be a safe space for someone who might feel like they have nowhere else to turn
One Conversation Can Change Everything
Some of the most life-altering conversations Charissa and I have had started with someone whispering, “Can I tell you something I’ve never said out loud before?” And when we responded with “I’m here. You’re not alone”—something shifted. Shame cracked open. A door to healing opened.
We don’t always need the “right” words—we just need real ones.
Let’s Talk About It
How has stigma shaped your own mental health journey?
Have you ever avoided speaking up out of fear of judgment?
Have you witnessed the difference it makes when someone is truly heard?
Let’s keep this conversation going—with each other, in our communities, and inside ourselves. The more we talk, the more we heal.