“Hey Ya!” By Outcast A very catchy song that’s so catchy that people don’t even listen to the lyrics. Seriously, read the lyrics and remove the famous “Hey Ya” part and you get a much different song. “Hey Ya” is a song that most people see as happy, just like how the media seems happy to most people. Yes I know cyber bullies, hackers, and scammers exist(this doesn’t justify anything they do though), but there is a part hidden(Like “Hey Ya!”) that is used for support. 

      Help is what you can find online. Now yes, everyone uses wikipedia to find answers on school questions(and when asked say “I’m using my resources”), but what about questions that require a little more information? Case and point: mental illness. Yes, the word that people ignore and don’t talk about in public. Yet when you realize that 3.8% of the world population( which is roughly 285,000,000 people) have depression, it becomes a subject that needs to be addressed. Additionally, not everybody comes out and says, “I have depression,” which means that that number could be even more than 300 Million people.

     Hence where media comes in; there are many websites out there that give you tips on how to handle, and what to do if you happen to gain a horrible  mental illness. A great example of a media outlet that shines light on mental illness is Discoverymood.com. In the article linked, it highlights second hand experiences, unsettling facts, and much more. 

     If you continue reading, you find tips on how to survive/live with mental illness. Now I’m going to be honest, this article isn’t the Messiah to defeat mental illness, but nothing is. This article was made to help people and does a decent job of that, especially if you’re a parent or someone who is interested in facts and logic. Realize that it’s here to help, but is hidden away by other media outlooks like theWashington Post’s, “Why Tucker Carlson Wants Men to Aim Lasers at Their Private Parts”(yes this is a real article). If this article isn’t enough, or you find it incredibly boring, how about a video game?

    Omori is a game about a kid named Sunny(or whatever you choose) struggling with their past. The game brings attention to mental illness, mostly grief and guilt, through the main cast of characters that are trying to overcome past traumas. While the game starts very happily accompanied with an amazing soundtrack(seriously listen to it), it throws you into the deep end fast. Just to reiterate this isn’t a kids game, even though the graphics look exactly like what you’d find in one. I truly recommend this game as not only does it bring attention to mental illness, but it’s also an amazingly made game that’s very enjoyable. However maybe you don’t want to play a game and just want to sit back and relax, well I have the perfect movie for you.

    The Babadook is a Horror movie about Amelia(Essie Davis) and her son Samuel(Noah Wisemen), but is mostly about Amelia trying to get over her husband’s death. One night when reading a story book, she accidentally awakens the Babadook. This move was quoted by William Friedkin, the creator of The Exorcist, to be, “The most terrifying film I have ever seen.” This movie brings attention to grief, insanity, and postpartum as well as bringing attention to how some people don’t bring too much attention to mental illness.

    The movie in addition portrays a sense of being trapped, as Amelia can leave her house where the Babadook is, but even then she feels trapped as you have to uphold your look in society. So if you start screaming, “A monster from my child’s  book is actually alive and trying to kill our family” you could get mental help… alone, in an asylum. I believe this movie does a good job showing off how bad grief can get, while still being a very good horror movie. Now I know horror movies aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, so why not some first hand experience?

    First hand experience is an interesting source as some people could lie about something; like Billy Mitchel “getting” the pac-man world record, while others are completely truthful. So I hope you can trust my source which is(drumroll please) TJ Craypoff. Yes, I have experience with depression, and at the time I’m writing this, I still do. I know what it’s like when you feel empty and alone. Heck, I dislike parties now because, while there are many people(depending on the type of party), I always feel like I’m just alone. I also know that feeling of being trapped because, while you want to tell someone about it, you(or just me… that’s fine too) fear that people will think differently about you. Like I mentioned before, people have an image to uphold, and a big fear that many people have is ruining that image. I’m not a therapist, psychiatrist, nor a certified counselor. I just want you to understand that you’re not alone; I know mental illness can’t be cured overnight, and it may suck, but getting your emotions and thoughts out could truly help. Well that’s all, I ran out of jokes a paragraph ago but understand you are wanted, you are loved, and you are special. This is TJ leaving to eat a turkey sandwich. Peace out westfield.