By, Ben Sabin, a recent high school graduate
Too often, I hear the hesitation when people hear those two words: mental health. I feel the subtle discomfort, condemnation, or shock that still surrounds the topic. It is still foreign to many, even though I believe there is a teen mental health crisis much larger than most people recognize. I see peers buried in their phones, taking in destructive content and making unhealthy comparisons to one another. I see people ostracized. I see an environment that can create mental health issues and amplify existing ones.
Today, our podcast has produced over 19 hours of content. We commonly feature social workers, representatives from mental health organizations, and even professors to make their vital insights available to everyone. By discussing topics like inferiority complexes, eating disorders, and body-focused repetitive disorders, we give a voice to struggles that are often overlooked.
Two years later, we feel the impact of our work. Our podcast has been awarded by The New York Times and featured on local Chicago TV, but the recognition is not the point. The point is that we are inspiring others to have their own conversations about mental health. By promoting the organizations of the people we feature, we are also helping make mental health care more mainstream in our community.
However, with the stigma around mental health, especially men’s mental health, our experience has not been easy. There is a clear social tax that comes with our passion. I embrace that my peers will not always accept the hard topics we discuss, but I remain dedicated to fostering an accepting and helpful online mental health community.
You can listen to Ben’s Mind Matters podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts.
