The stigma around discussing mental health

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, questions@townsquaretalk.org or @townsquaretalk.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and while many of us probably agree that a healthy mental status and a healthy brain are the foundations of overall good health, why are we so afraid to talk about mental illness?

Experts say that when we use language around mental health in kind of a flippant way, it’s dangerous because it gives people who are struggling the impression that their struggle isn’t valid or that it isn’t a part of the everyday human experience.

Locally, there’s the National Alliance of Mental Health Illness of Greater Houston, who’s working to establish or expand the organization's reach and partnerships. Their collaborations provide support, education, and advocacy to those impacted by mental health and mental illness concerns.

Today, we talk with a Houston-licensed psychologist and author of the book Permission to Come Home: Reclaiming Mental Health as Asian Americans.

We also hear from one Houston Public Media reporter who, despite battling depression, he managed to build a career that a lot of people would envy.

If you are struggling with mental health issues, help is available at mentalhealth.gov.

Should you or anyone you know have thoughts of suicide, help is always available at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Guests:

Angelina Brown-Hudson

• Executive Director, National Alliance of Mental Illness of Greater Houston

Dr. Jenny Wang

• Author and Licensed Psychologist

Andrew Schneider

• Houston Public Media Politics and Government Reporter

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