Mental Health Awareness Month

I had thought about making this as a Facebook/Instagram post. But I reminded myself of May being Mental Health Awareness Month and decided it needed to be spread further.

Yesterday I shared a video call with one of the most caring souls on the planet. I was even granted the opportunity to meet her boyfriend before we began talking. It was an honor, as he seems just like her. A perfect couple in my eyes.

We spoke of my mental health as I approach further cancer testing. It was a heartwarming experience, that as I look back now, we both needed. Me for the lesson I was about to learn in empathy. And for her a reminder that what she does for others is priceless.

As we said our goodbyes, a feeling of sadness came across me. I felt as if she was hurting inside because of me and my circumstances. I sensed it in her eyes, her face and her tone. I had never experienced such a desolate feeling.

Hours later I messaged her as I couldn’t shake the feeling. I didn’t want her to be saddened at my expense. I won’t get into what we spoke about nor our messages afterwards. But what I learned was equally as priceless.

I had saw empathy face to face for the first time in my life. Sure, people can say everything will be alright, don’t worry or you’ve got this. But until you experience the look in their eyes, their facial expressions and the tone in their voice, you have no clue it’s real meaning.

This I take as a bigger life lesson than all the things we spoke about. A lesson I now pass down to others and a message to her.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for being in my life. Thank you for caring. Thank you, my friend!

Don’t let this Mental Health Awareness Month go by without taking or adding something to it. And by all means don’t just practice it one month out of the year. Somewhere, someone is suffering, and you know them. Reach out, touch their soul with the warmth of your words, the look in eye and the love you can only bring. Everyone needs to know they’re not in it alone.

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