Growing up, there was absolutely no talk about mental health so we thought it was funny when some kids just couldn't grasp some concepts in school. We thought they were just daft or something- 1

a thread.

We had no knowledge whatsoever on ADHD, dyslexia, autism, dyscalculia, etc, neither did the teachers because they made some really hurtful remarks whenever those kids answered questions in class- 2

I did not know anything like PTSD so when I was hit with the first episode in shs, I didn't know what was even going on or who to talk to or what to even say to whom- 3

By that time, some of us had heard of depression and thought it was a white man's disease or spiritual attack so when one of my friends started cutting herself, people just kept their distance and spread rumors about how weird she was. Fortunately or unfortunately- 4

she came from much affluence so people thought she was just pulling a stunt for attention or she just doing "tirimud3"- 5

We can do much better though. Let's start the awkward conversations on mental health. Let's brush it aside as something for the aburokyire people, because it's not. Let's not sweep it under the carpet of it being a "lack of faith" thingy.- 6

And finally let's not toss names of conditions around carelessly. If you are just sad that your dog died, you might not necessarily be depressed. If you are extremely neat and organised, it doesn't mean you have OCD and you don't have bipolar because last week you had - 7

mood swings. When we do this, we reduce real health problems real people go through to everyday emotions that can be overcome with some good music, or one date or movie or hangout or a podcast or motivational message or even a nice meal.- 8

I'll end with this: get help if you think you need help. If it hurts, it hurts. It doesn't matter if others have faced worse and didn't feel a thing. Everyone is wired differently. Keep tabs on yourself and your loved ones so that you can quickly recognize when - 9

your life is drifting from normalcy and check up on your friends also. Pay attention to their not-so okay posts on social media. On that note, I'll like to thank everyone who checks in on me from time to time; you have a special place in my heart and

you have a special treat from God because you have shown kindness to his little girl.