Let’s have a candid conversation about mental health. For too long, it’s been the elephant in the room—especially for Gen Xers and those who came before us. We grew up hearing phrases like “tough it out,” “what happens in this house stays in this house,” and “therapy is for people who can’t handle life.” Sound familiar? Yeah, me too. But here’s the thing: ignoring mental health doesn’t make the struggle go away. It just makes it harder.
It’s time to break those generational stigmas, normalize seeking help, and finally give ourselves permission to prioritize mental wellness. Because let’s face it—carrying all this unspoken baggage is exhausting.
The Roots of Stigma: Why Mental Health Wasn’t Talked About
To understand why mental health carries such a stigma, we need to look back. For many of us, our parents and grandparents grew up in a world where survival was the priority. Wars, economic instability, and societal expectations meant that people focused on keeping a roof over their heads and food on the table—not processing feelings.
Emotions were often seen as a luxury, and asking for help? Forget about it. It was viewed as a weakness. Instead, people “pushed through,” “kept quiet,” or turned to unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol, repression, or, let’s be honest, yelling about everything but the real problem.
Fast forward to today, and many of us are still living under those inherited stigmas. But just because that’s how it was doesn’t mean that’s how it has to stay.
Why Breaking the Stigma Matters
Stigma is like a shadow—it thrives in the dark. The less we talk about mental health, the more shame creeps in, whispering that something is wrong with us for struggling. But here’s the truth: there’s nothing shameful about facing mental health challenges. The real shame lies in the silence that keeps so many of us from seeking the help we deserve.
Think about it: when we avoid naming things like depression, anxiety, PTSD, burnout, or ADHD, we reinforce the idea that these struggles are taboo. They become secrets we carry alone, weighed down by the fear of judgment or rejection. But the moment we speak up—whether it’s telling a friend, sharing with a therapist, or even just admitting it to ourselves—something incredible happens. We take away the power shame holds over us.
Naming your experience is the first step to reclaiming it. When you say, “I have depression,” or “I’m dealing with anxiety,” you’re not just identifying the issue—you’re taking control. You’re saying, “This is part of my life, but it doesn’t define me.” You’re giving yourself permission to feel, to struggle, and most importantly, to heal.
Think of it this way: if you broke your leg, you wouldn’t hesitate to tell someone and seek treatment. Mental health is no different. Naming what you’re going through is like pointing to the broken bone and saying, “This hurts, and I need help.” It’s not weakness—it’s courage.
When you prioritize mental health, you don’t just help yourself—you help everyone around you. Your kids, friends, and even your parents start to see that it’s okay to talk about struggles and seek help. You become the cycle breaker, the one who says, “This ends with me.”
Your honesty becomes a beacon for others who might feel trapped in silence. It creates a ripple effect, spreading acceptance and understanding. And who knows? Your courage to speak up might be the reason someone else decides to seek support.
Let’s get raw for a moment—because this is too important to tiptoe around. Mental health struggles, when ignored or untreated, can spiral into dangerous territory. Depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health challenges are not just “bad days” or “personal flaws.” Left unchecked, they can become unbearable, leading some people to feel like the only way to escape the pain is to end their lives.
That’s why breaking the stigma and making mental health support accessible isn’t just a feel-good idea—it’s a life-saving mission. Every time we open up about mental health, every time we normalize seeking help, we create a lifeline for someone who might be suffering in silence.
The Weight of Untreated Mental Illness
Mental health issues don’t just “go away” on their own. They fester, deepen, and spread into every corner of a person’s life. Depression can feel like drowning, anxiety like being trapped in an endless cycle of fear. PTSD can lock someone in a constant state of fight-or-flight, and burnout can make even getting out of bed feel impossible.
For many people, the hardest part isn’t the mental illness itself—it’s the loneliness and shame that come with it. Stigma tells them to hide their struggles, to keep pushing through, to pretend everything is fine. And that isolation can be deadly.
According to the World Health Organization, close to 800,000 people die by suicide every year. That’s one person every 40 seconds. Many of these deaths could be prevented if people felt safe seeking help.1
How to Break the Stigma
So how do we dismantle generations of silence and shame? One conversation at a time.
1. Acknowledge the Myths
Here are some outdated myths we need to kick to the curb:
- Myth: Therapy is only for “crazy” people.
- Truth: Therapy is for anyone who wants to understand themselves better, work through challenges, or grow.
- Myth: Mental health struggles are a sign of weakness.
- Truth: It takes incredible strength to face your inner battles and ask for help.
- Myth: Talking about feelings is oversharing.
- Truth: Vulnerability builds connection. Pretending everything is fine isolates us.
2. Speak Openly About Your Journey
Sharing your mental health journey doesn’t mean spilling every detail of your private life—it’s not about baring your soul to anyone who will listen. It’s about being honest in a way that feels authentic to you, creating space for connection and understanding. Whether it’s a small admission, like saying you’re in therapy, or a deeper conversation about how you’ve managed anxiety or depression, your openness can have a powerful ripple effect.
When you speak openly about your mental health, you send a clear message:
- It’s okay to struggle.
- It’s okay to talk about it.
- It’s okay to seek help.
For so long, mental health has been wrapped in silence, treated as something shameful or private. But the truth is, silence isolates us. When you share your experiences, you normalize them. You help dismantle the stigma that keeps so many people from seeking the support they need.
3. Model Self-Care
Let’s clear something up right now: self-care is not selfish. It’s not indulgent. It’s not a luxury for people who have too much free time. Self-care is survival. It’s about giving yourself the energy, balance, and mental clarity to handle life’s demands—and let’s be honest, those demands never seem to slow down.
But here’s the thing: self-care doesn’t just benefit you. When you model self-care, you’re showing the people around you—your family, friends, coworkers, and even your kids—that it’s okay, and even necessary, to take care of yourself. You’re helping break the stigma that prioritizing mental health is a weakness or a waste of time.
We live in a culture that glorifies busyness. Hustle harder. Grind it out. Sleep when you’re dead. Sound familiar? These toxic narratives make it seem like taking time for yourself is lazy or weak, but the truth is, burnout doesn’t make you a hero—it makes you miserable.
When you model self-care, you challenge these unhealthy norms. You send a powerful message that:
- Rest is productive.
- Boundaries are healthy.
- Taking care of your mental health isn’t optional—it’s essential.
And here’s the kicker: people notice. Whether it’s your kids, your friends, or your colleagues, when they see you setting boundaries, prioritizing rest, and advocating for your needs, you give them permission to do the same.
Self-care isn’t all bubble baths and spa days—although those can be great, too. Real self-care is about meeting your needs, even when it’s hard or uncomfortable. Here’s what that can look like:
- Setting Boundaries
Learning to say “no” is one of the most powerful forms of self-care. It’s about protecting your time and energy, even if it means disappointing someone else. Modeling this shows others that boundaries aren’t walls—they’re a way to preserve what matters most.
- Prioritizing Rest
Rest isn’t laziness; it’s how your body and mind recharge. Whether it’s getting enough sleep, taking a mental health day, or just sitting quietly with a cup of coffee, rest is essential. When you make rest a priority, you normalize it for others, too.
- Scheduling Time to Decompress
Life is noisy and overwhelming. Taking time to decompress—whether it’s through meditation, journaling, or zoning out with your favorite TV show—helps you process emotions and reset. It shows others that downtime is necessary, not a guilty pleasure.
- Seeking Support
Therapy, support groups, and even just talking to a friend are all forms of self-care. When you’re open about seeking help, you model that it’s okay to rely on others and prioritize mental health.
4. Challenge Harmful Narratives
When someone says, “You don’t need therapy, just work harder,” or “People are too sensitive these days,” don’t be afraid to push back. You don’t need to start a debate, but a simple, “Actually, therapy has been really helpful for me,” can plant a seed.
Seeking Support: Why It’s a Game-Changer
If you’ve been hesitant about seeking support, let me be the first to tell you: you’re not alone. It’s hard to take that first step, but it’s also worth it.
Therapists are like personal trainers for your brain. They help you unpack old baggage, build new coping skills, and figure out how to navigate life’s challenges. It’s not about being “broken”—it’s about wanting to live better.
Sometimes the best medicine is realizing you’re not alone. Support groups connect you with people who truly get it. Whether it’s a group for parents, trauma survivors, or people navigating grief, finding your tribe can be a game-changer.
For some people, medication can be life-changing. It’s not about “numbing” yourself or taking the easy way out. It’s about giving your brain the support it needs to function better.
Mental Health for Gen X: Unique Challenges
As a Gen Xer, you’ve likely been caught between two worlds. On one hand, you grew up with the “suck it up” mentality. On the other, you’re navigating a world where mental health is finally being recognized as important. It’s a weird spot to be in, but it also means you have a unique opportunity to bridge the gap.
1. Parenting with Empathy
If you’re raising kids, you might be learning how to validate their feelings while still encouraging resilience. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Show them that it’s okay to feel, to ask for help, and to grow.
2. Supporting Aging Parents
Many Gen Xers are in the sandwich generation, juggling kids and aging parents. Talking to older relatives about mental health can feel like banging your head against a wall, but patience and empathy go a long way. Sometimes just planting the idea—“It’s okay to talk to someone”—is enough.
3. Navigating Work Stress
Let’s face it: burnout is real. Advocating for mental health in the workplace isn’t just about you—it’s about creating a culture where everyone can thrive. Whether it’s pushing for flexible schedules, mental health days, or just normalizing taking a damn break, your voice matters.
The Future Starts with Us
Breaking generational stigmas isn’t just about healing ourselves. It’s about creating a better future—for our kids, our communities, and the world.
Imagine a world where asking for help is seen as strong, not weak. A world where mental health care is as normalized as going to the gym. A world where no one suffers in silence. That world starts with you.
Your Turn: Take the First Step
- Share Your Story: Open up to a friend, family member, or therapist about something you’ve been struggling with.
- Educate Yourself: Learn about mental health conditions and treatments. The more you know, the less power stigma has.
- Be the Cycle Breaker: Call out stigma when you see it. Whether it’s in your family, workplace, or community, your voice can make a difference.
Because here’s the truth: mental health matters. Your mental health matters. And together, we can create a world where no one feels ashamed to seek support.
Let’s start the conversation. Let’s break the silence. Let’s heal. Because we deserve better, and we’re strong enough to make it happen.
Stay Bold,
Jennifer
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