depression, Girl Power: You Are Enough, Guest Posts, Young Voices

A 15 Year Old Girl Reminds Us: “I Am Not My Mental Illness.’

December 11, 2015

Note from Jen Pastiloff, founder of The Manifest-Station. This is part of our Young Voices Series for Girl Power: You Are Enough. We are always looking for more writing from YOU!* Make sure you follow us on instagram at @GirlPowerYouAreEnough and on Facebook here. Please share this essay as I feel it is tremendously important that we begin to shatter the stigma of mental health. Tweet, FB it, send to a friend, Instagram it. Whatever you can do. We are very proud of Giana!

By Giana Masso

When we think about mental illness, we too often picture the horror movie images: straight jackets, padded rooms, electroshock therapy, insane asylums.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand why these portrayals in horror movies are entertaining, and chilling. We look at these characters as monsters, because they’re often violent, delusional, or dangerous in general. However, this caricature of mental illness is not entirely harmless in its value as entertainment.

What we see in the media changes the way we perceive real experiences. For example, if someone constantly sees news reports on how violent pit bulls are, it would be easy to make assumptions and develop a fear of pit bulls. This applies to the way we discuss mental illness as well. We only talk about mental illness in a time of tragedy. It makes these illnesses into characters, almost. Depression is associated with acting unreasonably, Anxiety is associated with rushed decision making. Bipolar disorders are associated with displays of moody, angsty reactions. We don’t see people with mental illnesses as people anymore: we see them as the illnesses themselves.

One of the best ways to end the stigma of mental illness is to stop the silence. We need to encourage people with mental illnesses to speak out about their struggles. When we don’t talk about mental illnesses, it makes them illusive, mysterious — more like what we see in the movies and less like what they actually are.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 20% of teenagers ages 13-18 live with mental health conditions. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in people from 10-24. It is clear that there are people who are struggling with mental health problems, but seem to feel too embarrassed to ask for help. They may be afraid of what other people think, or maybe they are too afraid to admit it to themselves. But the statistics don’t lie: mental health problems are affecting our generation; we need to make a change.

So here it goes. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Giana. I’m a highschool student. I play piano, my favorite color is yellow. I love coffee and I have two dogs. I’m in our school play. I’m involved in marching band. And I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I also have depression related to it. I live with mental illness; I have done so my entire life. However, my illness isn’t the most dominant part of me: I’m a visionary, an artist, a writer, a daughter, a musician, a friend, a sister. I am a person. These are the things that make me who. I am not just my mental illnesses.

I am tired of participating in the silence in regard to mental illness. We can make a difference by speaking out, but it starts on the individual level. So, yes, my name is Giana, I live with mental illness. I am a person.

image-e1449851734136-768x1024Giana Masso is: Writer. Visionary. Musician. Mental health advocate. Lover of art, pugs, and all things comedy. Follow her on instagram at @Gianamasso.

 

The 12 Day Detox is here. Sign up now for the next cleanse on Jan 4, 2016. Space is limited. This detox comes at just the perfect time. Reprogram your body and mind as we move into the holiday season. This is your time of rejuvenation and renewal.This is not a juice fast, or a detox based on deprivation.

The 12 Day Detox is here. Sign up now for the next cleanse on Jan 4, 2016. Space is limited. This detox comes at just the perfect time. Reprogram your body and mind as we move into the holiday season. This is your time of rejuvenation and renewal.This is not a juice fast, or a detox based on deprivation.

 

Ring in New Years 2016 with Jen Pastiloff at her annual Ojai retreat. It’s magic! It sells out quickly so book early. No yoga experience required. Just be a human being. With a sense of humor. Email barbara@jenniferpastiloff.com with questions or click photo to book. NO yoga experience needed. Just be a human being

Ring in 2016 with Jen Pastiloff in Vancouver. It’s magic! It sells out quickly so book early. No yoga experience required. Just be a human being. With a sense of humor. NO yoga experience needed. Just be a human being

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3 Comments

  • Reply Barbara Potter December 11, 2015 at 9:45 pm

    Thank you for sharing this very brave post.

  • Reply Man disturbs peace at Makkah graveyard - RiyadhVision December 27, 2015 at 2:31 pm

    […] A 15 Year Old Girl Reminds Us: "I Am Not My Mental Illness.' […]

  • Reply fortune Pedzisa October 25, 2022 at 8:46 pm

    Thanks for breaking the silence and a platform for girl power
    mental illness should be taken seriously and treated like any other with respect for the person

  • Leave a Reply to Barbara Potter Cancel Reply

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