Why is it important to talk about mental health?
I have depression, so firstly I do it for my own wellbeing. The people in my life knowing how I am doing helps them help me. There's plenty of time that simply talking about one's struggles makes them easier to deal with and overcome. Secondly, I do it for others who are struggling alone silently. I talk about my journey to destigmatize the topic and let others know it there's others like you. You're not alone.
How do you work on your mental health?
Self care. Therapy. Community. So many of our health issues, physical or mental, are made easier simply by eating right, getting enough sleep, practicing good hygiene, and staying active. Therapy is such a useful space, especially for men, to share your feelings without judgement and develop useful coping mechanisms. The Rapids Community is filled with so many wonderful people who help make soccer one of my happy places, regardless of how the team is doing.
How can we reduce the stigma around talking about mental health in our community?
Empathy. Education. Communication. Energy. Even if you have no training or skills on how to help someone in a mental health crisis, listening to and empathizing with them is what they need most. The club's doing a great job sharing resources and knowledge. Take 10 minutes to learn the Columbia Protocol. You don't need to be a licensed therapist reduce the stigma around mental health. Learn about it. Talk about it. When someone talks to you about it, listen and be there for them.
