Mary+Lou+W’s+Final+AmEx+2015+Speech


 * Care Before They're Dead **

It was hard for me to write about the topic of this speech. Well, obviously due to the incident last Tuesday, but as embarrassing as that was for me, I decided to continue on with the topic because of how important it is to me, and because of how important it is to millions all over the United States and the world. The issue of mental illness. The first thing that comes to most peoples minds when they hear the word is: insanity, straight jackets and mental institutions, however, mental illness covers a very wide range of disorders, the most obvious being depression and anxiety.

There has been a startling rise in mental illness in teens over the past decade, with anywhere around 13-20% of teens suffering from some type of mental disorder. We grew up in a difficult time, where we were told from a young age not to mess up. That our quality of life would be determined whether or not we did everything ‘right’ such as, getting A’s, talking classes and doing things that look “good” to colleges, getting into a good college, and so on and so forth. As much as our teachers here at Foothill try to unteach this to us, the idea is seared into our brain and we’re scared. The pressure to be perfect increases anxiety in teens and leads others into depression when they see that they physically and mentally cannot live up to the expectations.

Of course that is just one aspect. Those who have parents who are or were depressed are 3 times more likely to become depressed themselves. Maybe depression developed due to a traumatic event. The thing is, that there is no single way that depression and anxiety are obtained. It can happen to anyone and you’d be surprised who has it. Most don’t like discussing it nor want to admit it due to the public’s overall view on mental illness.

We’ve all heard the typical remarks when someone says they have depression, we hear when a girl says she had depression that she’s just “seeking attention” or a boy who admits he has anxiety is told to “man up”. These type of remarks is what cause many who suffer from these disorders to become unsure of themselves, and to hide it from the world. It’s not encouraged to talk about it, but to hide it solely because you don’t want to be seen as “needy”. That is why those with depression seem to laugh the loudest, and smile the most, because you make a shell they displays the brightest colors to assure everyone they you’re fine. You become good at pretending and you become good at hiding. You try so desperately to appear okay, because you don't want people to think less of you, you don’t want people to feel bad for you. You don’t want to see the look in their eyes when they realise that you’re broken.

So, to those who can’t imagine what these disorders are like, lets have a preview.

Depression isn’t being sad for a couple days, it's not sitting alone in a corner, it’s not just feeling sad. Its a cold empty grip in your heart and chest that you can’t seem to shake. It’s heavy on your shoulders. You always seem tired. Your motivation plummets and basic daily needs seem like an impossible chore. You have to try and remind yourself to shower, to brush your teeth, to pick up the trash and clothes that have been on your floor for the past few weeks.

Anxiety isn’t being shy in social situations, or being worried. Anxiety is hyperventilating to the point of passing out over something so little as messing up in a phone call. It’s your mind telling you every little thing that could go wrong, every little problem, every little fear, until you give up. It’s breaking down, when you’re about to give a speech because your mind keeps whispering that no one cares, that you’re a fake, that you don’t deserve to talk.

Scary right?

I want to live in an America that doesn’t look down at people with mental health problems. I want to live in an America that instead of making up excuses to dismiss these people, and reduce their pain to simple traits, but an America helps them by giving them the attention they need. Whether it is getting them therapy, getting them the medication they need, or simply talking to them. It’s important that we help each other instead of dismissing the problems, that can often be alienating and detrimental in their state.

If someone tells you they they are depressed, have anxiety, has a eating disorder, or any mental illness, don’t dismiss it, don’t try to make up excuses for them, don’t ignore it, and don’t try suggest ways to “fix” them. Listen. They will tell you what they need and if you are incapable of fulfilling what they need, then help them find a way to do so. Do what you can, and don’t make any false promises. Because I want to live in an America where they care before you’re dead, not after.

Sources: [|__http://www.edutopia.org/depressing-trend__] [|__http://www.allaboutdepression.com/cau_03.html__] [|__https://www.ranzcp.org/News-policy/Media-Centre/Media/Study-finds-increase-in-mental-illness-in-teenager.aspx__]