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In trying to normalize mental health, should we tell people we come into contact with that we suffer? Whether it be a new friendship, a person that you’re dating, an old friend. If we do tell people, these specific people, has society changed enough for us to not be embarrassed? For the other party not to think we’re “crazy” or have a few loose screws? And to that, I ask, is it really their business or when should it become their business? At what point do we have to bear our souls to someone? Are we being dishonest if we don’t tell them immediately? I know that society likes to think they have “normalized” mental health. I also know that is not true. It has been my experience that sometimes, it automatically taints someone’s view of who you are. Once they hear those words, depression, anxiety, bi-polar, schizophrenia, and the numerous other mental health conditions out there, they immediately disconnect. They make assumptions about who that person is. They determine in their minds that the person cannot carry on a “normal” life. They are nothing but drama. I disagree. I think someone that suffers has less drama than anyone else. They are so much in their head that any possible scenario has already been thought of, and I guarantee you it is the worst-case scenario. There are times in my life, where I have no trouble expressing my feelings. Usually with those I trust the most, which honestly isn’t that many. I am not good with criticism. I take it as a personal attack even if it isn’t meant to be. I shut down. Once I’ve shut down, I have a hard time trusting/opening up to that person again. That is why my circle stays so small, sometimes non-existent. That is why I keep to myself a lot of the time. If I’m by myself, I can’t mess up, I can’t be criticized. I have no illusions that I’m perfect, the absolute opposite, but I don’t like to be reminded of it by anyone. I don’t want someone pointing out my mistakes just to get back at me. Which again begs the question, at what point do you share your struggle with a new person in your life? If you share and they leave, are you better off without them? If you keep it to yourself a while, does that make you a bad person? A person who wants someone to get to know you, not your disease. Wouldn’t it be the same as putting your best foot forward? How do we move forward with normalizing mental health for relationships? I wish I had the answer. I have tried multiple things, letting people know up front and they decide they don’t want the relationship, friendship, whatever it may be and cut ties, but I’ve also had a few who were compassionate and stayed. So I guess my question is, if we leave this part of ourselves out of the conversation for awhile is that ok? Do we have to share every, single detail of our lives with the people that we meet and want to have friendships/relationships with? Do we expect them to share every detail of their lives up front? I think it’s part of the getting to know each other part, but at what point does it belong in the conversation? After you’ve built some sort of relationship and they see that you are normal? Is that when you have the conversation? Do you have to have the conversation? Is it anyone’s business but our own? Do we get to decide who knows the innermost pieces of our souls, our hearts? What if it’s looked upon negatively and ruins the relationship? Does that mean that person isn’t meant to be in your life? It feels like you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. It’s supposed to be normal now, yet there is still such a stigma attached to it. I guess the best answer is to keep talking about it. Educating people on it and reminding them that there is nothing wrong with you!