Should I be open about my mental health?

The real questions is: "Why shouldn't you?"

But of course, you have the rights to keep it to yourself if you're not comfortable about sharing. 

I never held back, never. Whenever someone asked, or when I'm on the topic with someone, I am never ashamed of sharing. Why? 

First of all, I am not in fault, so why should I be ashamed? Some people may not be comfortable sharing due to the huge stigma that exist within our society. What exactly is stigma? You can find it on my previous post here. I understand most of the people have this concern. Do I have this concern? Yes of course I do, but why do I still share? Because I want to speak out, I want to make an example to people who are on the same boat. Also, I feel like it is a good opportunity to educate and raise awareness about mental health with the people around me or the people who asked. This is also one of the purpose of my blog, to encourage, inspire people who can relate, and also educate the others. I am always grateful when people ask me about my mental health. I appreciate their curiosity and their willingness to learn about mental health (even if it's out of 'keh-pohness", at least I'm sharing the right information) so they don't get the wrong idea of anxiety, depression, or mental health in general. I may not be a professional, but I can share with that on what is right and what is wrong.  

Never apologize for feeling/having emotions (being emotional in general). I personally still need some time to get used to this, and to be aware of this. None of us wanted to be diagnosed with something, regardless if it's depression of it it's diabetes. Will you apologize to someone when you're diagnose with diabetes? "Oh I'm so sorry that I am diabetic". NO! Please don't. There is nothing to be ashamed of. I can assure you, 8/10 people in today's society are somehow anxious or depressed in a way. There are people who are able to find ways to balance, there are also people who need a bit of extra push and help. So don't be ashamed, you're not "different", you're special because you are brave enough to get it diagnosed and you get the right information of your own mental health. Instead of being ashamed, use this opportunity to help the ones in need, and educate the others to raise awareness.

"I am on medication for being sad", am I crazy? Ladies and gentlemen, no. You are brave instead of crazy. People who have diabetes are on medications too. Same thing, no difference. It is part of maintaining your health, one physically and one mentally. (Damn, people really should start thinking about mental health when they hear or see the word "health/healthy"). Different people have different ways to keep themselves healthy. But of course it is always best to seek help from the professionals and seeking help from professionals doesn't mean you have to be on medication. Here's another example on how people cope with their health. If you're diabetic, your doctor might suggest you to change your diet, prevent some food with high sugar level and exercise more, doc might not even prescribe you meds. Same thing for mental health, your doctor can help you with therapy, give you suggestions on things you can do to feel better, breathing exercises, therapy and many more. As for me, I find the best way for me to be mentally healthy is to get some extra push on my serotonin (happy chemicals) with my medication, and they are doing very well. I know some other people who are also struggling with mental health and are not on medication, but having therapies or practicing self care activities instead. So no, you're not crazy. You're just not 100% healthy (Nobody is 100% healthy, give yourself/me a break !).

Conclusion, yes you should. To educate, raise awareness, break the stigma. No, you shouldn't, if you're not comfortable and it is your rights to keep it to yourself, no reason needed. You still have us, many of us, who are willing to share, and help break the stigma, provide accurate mental health information. We got your back. If you're under the "no" category, you can still do something to help. Share accurate information from professionals on social media. Spread the right knowledge to people around you. Promote self care activities to others. Check in on people who needed help and let them know they are not alone. We all wanted to be healthy, even aunties and uncles who graduated from WhatsApp university share "secret magic recipes to be healthy" wants to be healthy. Let's just all try hard to change the spreading of non-accurate "secret magic recipes to be healthy" into accurate professional advice. Doesn't matter if it's among the elders, teenagers or children, everyone should be aware that health is not just physically health, is mental health too. 

@goodhumansonly