The importance of sharing mental health stories

In this terrific personal essay from New York Times Well, Carolyn Ali shares how she shouldered the burden of her husband’s depression on her own. Thanks to the continued stigma around mental illness, people often choose to be silent about their mental health issues, and ask that loved ones remain silent as well. I can’t tell you how many patients of mine are ashamed of going to therapy and keep their problems to themselves. But open discussion of mental illness is so important, not only for the person suffering but also for loved ones, who suffer, too. It’s only through sharing their stories that those suffering and their loved ones can get the support they desperately need and deserve.