It's Real: Mental Illness

"The Invisible Disorder"

Just a few days ago, I came across a viral post on social media. It was a news last week about a person who was being publicly berated by some PWD and elderly commuters for sitting in a priority seat on a train. In that video, the commuters who kept berating him can be heard from the background without knowing why he was there in the first place. Apparently, Julian Valleser Tacbad also suffers from a non-visible disability, according to the news, which makes it a little disappointing knowing that the ones who got mad at him were also part of the same community. Should a disability really be counted only if it's visible?

Courtesy to GMA News Integrated

To make the invisible be visible, what should we do?

For decades, advocates of mental health have been vocal about its importance. Their campaigns can be seen in social media platforms, partnerships with local government offices, and even on the streets of your community. And because of their continuous efforts, society is slowly accepting and realizing that just like we care for our physical well-being, we should also look after our mental well-being. Indeed, we have taken one step closer to ending another stigma.

For those who fear speaking up about their mental illness, the ocean is vast. There are people who will listen and understand you when you tell them that things are getting a little heavier for you. There are a lot of communities out there who are willing to accept you for who you are.

And for able-bodied people, make society much better for each and everyone by making the first move. Go out there, inform yourselves about the matter, put yourself in their shoes, socialize and learn more about them, and more.

A reminder:

Just because something can't be seen by the naked eye does not mean that it's not real, that it's not happening.