Though the stigma surrounding mental health issues has definitely diminished in recent years, it's a long way from disappearing altogether.
At the same time, a recent report has revealed that alarming numbers of young people are experiencing stress, anxiety, other mental problems and general unhappiness.
So it's vital that when someone does open up about their mental wellbeing, they don't receive a response that's dismissive or even damaging.
Over the weekend, British journalist Hattie Gladwell sought to expose the lingering stigma and ignorance surrounding mental health issues by starting the hashtag #ThingsPeopleHaveSaidAboutMyMentalIllness.
"Quote this tweet with the most unhelpful/insensitive thing someone has said to you about your mental illness," Gladwell tweeted. "I’ll start: One person told me I didn’t need medication, I just needed to be more motivated to cope with my mental health."
Quote this tweet with the most unhelpful/insensitive thing someone has said to you about your mental illness.
— hattie gladwell (@hatttiegladwell) May 6, 2018
I’ll start: One person told me I didn’t need medication, I just needed to be more motivated to cope with my mental health. #ThingsPeopleHaveSaidAboutMyMentalIllness
At the time of writing, over a thousand people have replied, sharing comments that are shocking, tone deaf and often thoroughly unhelpful. Check out a selection below (or scroll through the hashtag on Twitter for the full range).
I was in therapy and my therapist asked me how i would self harm, when i told her how she told me i was “creative”. #ThingsPeopleHaveSaidAboutMyMentalIllness https://t.co/gKqMwrWIE5
— mushroom gal (@vuIpx) May 7, 2018
When I had an ectopic pregnancy and was told i didn’t need help via counselling as I couldn’t be depressed over something that wasn’t even a baby #ThingsPeopleHaveSaidAboutMyMentalIllness
— Carly (@curly_wurly85) May 6, 2018
After a panic attack at work - a week after I came back from being on the sick with anxiety and depression;
— Alessandra (@Pinksandi) May 6, 2018
Boss: ‘you can’t do that, stuff like that scares people. You can’t do that’
I pity his wife who he told me has the same illness#ThingsPeopleHaveSaidAboutMyMentalIllness https://t.co/2PmKlvzCBB
If you don’t have a reason for having this depressive episode than it’s not depression you’re just sad #ThingsPeopleHaveSaidAboutMyMentalIllness https://t.co/DqhKAZjG74
— 🌸🐝 (@softestqueer) May 6, 2018
List the reasons why you might be depressed and see which are valid reasons. #ThingsPeopleHaveSaidAboutMyMentalIllness https://t.co/aoFmcdYAcC
— Lyla (@Bookishmind27) May 6, 2018
Unsurprisingly, familiar old chestnuts like "you're just doing this for attention" and "cheer up, you'll make everyone else depressed" crop up several times. Seriously, can you believe anyone is still saying stuff like this in 2018?
“you’re doing this for attention”
— veronica sawyer (@acidtrippedme) May 7, 2018
“depression isn’t real”
“you just need a different mind set”
“you’re faking it”
“you want to kill yourself? *grabs knives from drawer, sets them all in front of me* cut yourself & we’ll bury you outside.”#ThingsPeopleHaveSaidAboutMyMentalIllness
1. I just need to cheer up
— laurie (@laurb0t) May 7, 2018
2. Medication is bad; take vitamins & they will cure me!
3. I'm suffering because I don't have Jesus in my heart#ThingsPeopleHaveSaidAboutMyMentalIllness https://t.co/leEQt1H1w7
Glib and dismissive responses to mental health problems aren't just potentially hurtful; they could deter people from seeking professional help which could make them feel better. We can't all be mental health experts, but we can all be compassionate and empathetic.
You can find out more about mental health problems (and how to access help) though the charity Mind and the NHS website.
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