We Are Not Okay – So We Won’t Wait Until May

As many of you know, May is Mental Health Awareness month. In May, Cypress will post on our social media accounts to get folks talking about mental health, and how we work to prepare folks with the skills they need to support someone facing a mental health challenge. You know how we feel about being prepared to help someone else!

But this year, we aren’t waiting until May.

Cypress is feeling a deep sense of urgency for the conversation now. And it’s because we aren’t okay.

During our workshops, people come into the chat and direct message us – and they “talk” to us there. Like passing a secret note in class; they tell us about what they are navigating.  And it’s a lot. Imagine what you learn after training over 31,000 people and hearing their stories!

In the past month here are a few things we have heard:

“Sometimes I have to cry in my car because I’m so overwhelmed. I just need a minute before I have to go in and make dinner.”

“I can’t sleep. It never used to be a problem. I’m not sleeping but I’m tired all the time. Do you think that’s stress?”

“I’m snapping at my partner. I’m at my wits end. I’m trying to do some self-care but even that doesn’t feel like it’s working. I don’t know what to do.”

“I think I’m doing that. Just coping. I’m checked out.”

“There are weekends when I can’t move. So even though I know I’m supposed to be practicing self-care I can’t. It’s scary and I feel really ashamed about it.”

First, if any of this resonates with you – you aren’t alone. We train all kinds of folks – all professions, ages, geographies – you name it. It’s not just you. Most of us are experiencing these things.

That common ground reminds us – mental health is not a THEM problem. It is an US problem. And we need to talk about it now more than ever - while we navigate chaos, and fear and uncertainty in our communities. Human beings are not designed to live in stress states for extended periods of time. It damages us and leads to so many health issues – including mental health issues. 

So Cypress isn’t waiting. We are starting Mental Health Awareness in February. Will you join us?