Dwelling on dark thoughts is to go about digging a deep hole in your mind. Then letting that hole fill up with mud. And wallowing in it. After a while, you’ll find that thrashing about here has the opposite effect of what you intended. It only thickens the solution. Congratulations. You now have a pool of quicksand all to yourself. And you will gradually disappear into that pit if you aren’t careful.

You will become a character changed or compromised by darkness or confusion and their subtle variants. A stranger to your loved ones. A phantom staring back at you in the mirror. For any chance of the best in you surviving, you should call for help. Right now. You have to bring fresh air to your mind. Allow its toxicity to dissipate through the best means of ventilation which is nothing more than honest communication.

Thankfully, friends and relatives are those with whom you can have a conversation of any genre. Take advantage of that since communication is critical to your mental health.

For example, if you find yourself concerned about what’s on the political horizon, engage a loved one in an open discussion about it. Be tactful if necessary. Slip in a few jokes to set the tone for a broader dialogue. One that can embrace the moderate as well as the ludicrous. This way, you’re likely to uncover something that may enlarge your perspective or inspire your attitude with new feelings and ideas.

Remember. Family and friends are people who love you, think like you, and consider your interests their own. They are heavily invested in your mental health. You do them a disservice when you hide things from them.

I know from experience that there are things that seem impossible to discuss. You might believe your people are going to be angry or terribly disappointed if you share what’s really on your mind. That’s a chance you’ll have to take. But what you’re likely to find is that no matter the issue your facing, after an honest discussion, you’ve gained more support than you had before.

And the fact is, communication is necessary for lessening any kind of anxiety. You’ll feel better and sleep better. Despite your problems you’ll recognize the world as a better place after a heart-to-heart talk with someone close. And all it takes to open up to them is a little courage. So, you have to choose now between the good fortune of the brave or the results of cowardly apprehensions.

‘Perception is everything’.’ Mental health, good or bad, is the foundation of reality as we know it. The good news is that this foundation can be strengthened and improved upon almost exponentially. Your mental health can be dramatically enhanced by talking honestly with concerned individuals. As mentioned, these can be the usual culprits: relatives and friends. But, when necessary, seasoned professionals can do the trick too.

You have a mouth. Use it! Express yourself. Advocate for yourself. Make yourself clear. Worthy people will be impressed by your depth and honesty. You will probably convince them that the world has more genuine people in it than they thought. That can help improve their perception of the world, and in turn their own mental health. That is why you do them a disservice when you keep things from them.

So, think this over. Just don’t let your thoughts lapse into exaggerated philosophizing that might only reinforce your tendency to face the world alone. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with a select few is empowering. It will pull you out of that quicksand and reinforce those things about you that your closest friends and family members love the most.

If you are in need of someone to talk to, you can contact the Mental Health Hotline at anytime. Just call 866-903-3787. Or if you feel like a danger to yourself, call 988.