ENDTHESTIGMA – WEAR YOUR BADGES PROUDLY

What badges do you wear with strength and empowerment? 1 in 5 people have a mental illness, yet there are stigmas associated with other ailments related to mental health, such as the many kinds of addictions, disabilities, trauma, behaviors, invisible illnesses, psychological and physical abuse —all are valid and what warriors we are. But what we have is one of the greatest weapons against those stigmas – our voice.

I proudly wear these badges in support to #EndTheStigma – I am not defined by words, labels, beliefs, statistics and societal misunderstanding. Instead, I choose to speak and actively tear down those stigmas and create positive change.

Depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, OCD, bullying, perfectionism, eating disorder, and PTSD. These are some of the unique parts of me that have helped me find … strength, happiness, peace, recovery, courage, balance, self-worth and purpose. This doesn’t mean that my badges still don’t come knocking at my door. They do. But I used to be in a seemingly powerless state and my badges would break my door down every time and consume me. They knock – louder some days than others. Sometimes not at all. But I don’t let them define me or hurt me anymore.

We all have badges/ difficulties in life that we face each day, no matter the subject or severity. It’s safe to share your authentic self. It’s okay to say I’m not okay today. Because chances are if you do share, you’ll be that much more okay the next day. This is how you heal. This is how I heal. This is how we heal.

?You are only as powerful as the words you believe you are. Make sure they move you forward.?

You can click on the hashtag #EndTheStigma to see the many different badges and even create your own collage in support.

So let’s start a conversation – what badges do you proudly wear? ~Britt?