Mask On-Mask Off

Taking the Mask Off – A Real Conversation About Mental Health

Mental health has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I don’t know that there was ever a season where I wasn’t struggling—some months are better than others, some years are lighter than others, but it has always been there.

I’ve always felt different from my peers. I never quite fit into one group, one clique, one genre of people. I’ve lived with severe anxiety and PTSD most of my life. I have triggers—but I’ve also learned how to recognize them, address them, and use coping skills to self-manage. I’ve reached a place where I can honestly say I’ve graduated therapy. And I say that with respect—therapy is absolutely worth it if you’re willing to do the work and truly want to improve the quality of your everyday life.

There were seasons when getting out of bed felt impossible. Days when I didn’t want to do my hair or my makeup—and that’s okay. Makeup is just makeup. Some days I wear it, some days I don’t. Truthfully, if you see me wearing makeup, it’s probably because I’m struggling and need that little extra boost to feel good. If you see me without it, it’s likely because I don’t care what I look like or what others think. Maybe that’s confidence. Maybe it’s self-neglect. Sometimes it’s both.

I’ve been in severe crisis more than once in my life. And I am incredibly proud to say I have not been in crisis for eight years. But that doesn’t mean the struggle ended. I still have anxiety attacks. I still have down moments. I still wrestle with self-esteem and self-worth. Healing isn’t a finish line—it’s an ongoing process. An uphill battle some days.

Here’s the truth we don’t talk about enough: you can have a great career, a strong following, a healthy relationship, a supportive church, a loving community—and still be struggling behind closed doors. Abuse. Addiction. Mental health battles. The pressure. The weight. The responsibility. The masks we wear to look “put together.”

Mental health needs to be brought to the surface. We need to take the mask off.

Every person you meet is carrying something they don’t talk about. Every single one. How someone functions day-to-day doesn’t tell the full story. You can go to work, go to church, raise kids, smile, show up—and still be lying to yourself about what you’re carrying.

One of the most important things I’ve learned is this: talking about mental health helps. Saying it out loud helps. When things get hard, our instinct is to hide, avoid, and isolate. We say “I’m fine.” “I’m okay.” “I’m just tired.” That’s deflection. And over time, that turns into resentment—often toward ourselves. Negative self-talk grows. Self-worth erodes. And that’s when things can become dangerous.

Navigating mental health is both simple and complex. It’s part of daily life—and it’s also deeply tied to trauma.

So pay attention. Be aware of your friends, your family, the people in your community. Open your eyes. Be kind. Even when you’re dealing with your own struggles—sometimes helping someone else not feel the way you feel can be healing too.

You don’t have to be perfect to be present.

You don’t have to be healed to be honest.

And you don’t have to carry it alone.