Here are several statistics from the National Alliance on Mental Illness(NAMI):
1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year
1 in 25 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year
1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34
There are 2 main things I take away from these statistics. One, that is a lot of people suffering from mental illness. Two, we need to be playing way more attention to mental health, especially to the mental health of young people. Half of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24? That means half of all people suffering with mental illness will be potentially suffering for a whole lifetime.
I suffer from mental illness. I live with mental illness. I thrive with mental illness. Those three statements are true for me, and therefore I am an advocate for mental health and those living with mental illness. I don’t want people to suffer like I have. I do not want people living without the support and care they need because or stigma or lack of awareness.
Life can be ugly, painful and unrelenting. We all have felt this at one time or another. There was a time in my life where that was all I felt. I don’t think those feelings were wrong. When you feel like life is painful and awful, I don’t think you’re wrong. All I know is that when I saw the world in just that one horrible way, I was not going to last. I needed to see the world for how it truly was in its entirety-dark and light. I was lucky to have people show me that.
They kept me going until I could keep going by myself. Some held me when I cried. Some showed me where I could find help. Others taught me skills and shared knowledge. Then there were those who called me out on my BS. I am grateful to all those people. I am also grateful to myself because I did it. I didn’t have to listen to anyone. I could have just buried myself within myself.
I was always strong. I was always complete. I just couldn’t see shrouded in the darkness…which is fair.
So to you, reader, I am saying that you are strong. You are complete. You have the possibility to make your life better- to create the live you want.
I want people to believe that, and I don’t want others to suffer the way I have. That’s why I started The Thoughtful Beast.
What is my advocacy and activism work?
One, I have a history of live streaming about mental health. I started The Thoughtful Beast as a streamer on Twitch talking about mental health and interviewing others about mental health. Now I stream on YouTube and Facebook live, which I have turned into my podcast, “Ready to Talk”.
Another way I am and an advocate and activist is through my art. Whether it’s on a live stage or a film, I choreograph and dance about my experience with mental illness and other mental health issues. I am a dance filmmaker. Visual storytelling is my jam. Art is a wonderful way to speak and speak up. My fellow artists, we should never take for granted the power we have with our art.
Then, there is my YouTube channel. That is where much of my live show and art live, but I have also been making videos where I discuss skills, more of my personal experiences and my opinions. It’s been quite a journey with YouTube because it took away the “protection” of live streaming. With my live streams, the videos would expire. With YouTube, the content is meant to live forever. Is that scary? Yes, but it’s helping me become more and more open about my mental illnesses.
With all that said, I will talk about mental health and mental illness anywhere and anytime I can. Would you like me to come speak at an event or webinar? Would you like me to run a workshop on self-reflection and dance or film? I can do that. Contact me at trixi@thethoughtfulbeast.com.
Would you like to support my work to end the stigma against mental illness and mental health?
Support me on my Patreon where you can do a monthly donation, or you can do a one time donation on my PayPal. Your support helps me live so I can continue to create spaces and content that can help people heal, feel validated and create happiness.
