Beginning to talk about mental illness

Mental Illness is still, in the 21st century, a taboo subject. People just don’t seem to want to talk about it. And they have good reason, on the most part.

I have been taking anti-depressants for nearly four years and people are usually shocked when they find out. Why is this? Because people who are ‘happy’ on the outside shouldn’t and can’t be depressed on the inside? I myself have been guilty of this reaction. I have been surprised when friends have opened up to me and confessed to having a mental heath diagnosis. This illustrates not only a lack of understanding about the complexities of mental health disorders but also the ability that sufferers have to hide their struggle.