Triangular woman tells her story of life with mental illness during the month of mental health

May is the month of mental health to raise awareness every year of over 46 million Americans struggling with mental illness.

One in five will be affected by mental illness in their lifetime, according to the National Alliance Against Mental Illness.

Although statistics are high, the number of people seeking treatment for mental illness is low. The stigma associated with mental illness adds untreated conditions to the issue.

"With a physical illness, some people may feel pain, but with mental health problems, you do not see their internal struggle, you do not see their internal pain," said Dr. Frank Addonizio, clinical manager at Holly Hill Hospital Raleigh. .

"So it's uncomfortable for people and those who do not feel it might be judgmental or insensitive, maybe not, they do not understand, it's a physical illness like any other medical problem." do not think of cancer and heart disease as things for which people do not get help, but when it comes to mental illness, people are more fearful about the idea of to get treatment on five people with a mental health problem, that's a huge number. "

Originally from Morrisville, Pooja Mehta, 23, is one of millions of people living with mental illness. "I had a diagnosis of anxiety and depression at the age of 15," Mehta said. "I have been living with symptoms for 13 years, so, if I remember well and all my adult life, I was taking medication and living with this disease."

Mehta said her symptoms were so severe that she tried to commit suicide three times.

"Thank goodness, none of them have succeeded," said Mehta. "The last was different, my mother raised me in a very religious family and we firmly believe in Hinduism that things are happening for a reason and, my last attempt, I do not know if It's a realization, but I'm really struck by the reason, maybe it does not work, it's because I still have work to do.This is not my time, I'm not supposed to go there. "

Today, Mehta works with NAMI-NC as an advocate for the rights of people living with mental illness. She hopes that sharing her story will inspire others to get help and understand that they can also flourish.

"If they're able to use what I'm broadcasting in the universe to improve their lives, and if even a person is able to do it, then I've done it," he said. Mehta.

NAMI NC will be taking a walk on May 18, 2019 at Dorothea Dix Park at 9:30 am.

If you are having a crisis, you can reach the NAMI NC Hotline at 800-451-9682 or at [email protected].

You can also send a message to the hotline at 919-999-6527.