Speaking Out on Mental Health: Why We Need to Keep Talking About It
- Justine Martin
- Oct 8
- 3 min read
Because silence keeps us stuck, and honesty sets us free.
For most of my life, I was the strong one, the one who smiled through the pain, pushed through exhaustion, and kept going no matter what life threw at me. I thought resilience meant pretending everything was fine, even when my world was falling apart behind closed doors.
But here’s the truth I’ve come to understand: resilience is not about silence. it’s about speaking up. Talking about mental health doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human.
The Weight of Silence
When I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, followed by cancer, and later an acquired brain injury, the physical battles were enormous, but the mental battles were just as heavy. Fear, grief, frustration, and uncertainty crept in quietly and refused to leave.
I remember lying awake at night, wondering how I’d keep going, how I’d rebuild, and who I’d even be on the other side of it all. And yet, I said nothing. I told myself that others had it worse. I smiled in public. I said, “I’m fine.”
But pretending to be okay when you’re not doesn’t protect you, it isolates you. And silence, I learned, can be one of the heaviest burdens of all.
The Power of Speaking Out
The first time I truly spoke about my mental health, it was terrifying. My voice shook. My hands trembled. I worried about being judged.
But what happened next was incredible. People started to open up in return. They shared their own experiences, their own struggles, their own quiet pain. I realised that by sharing my story, I wasn’t just releasing my own weight, I was helping others carry theirs.
That’s the power of speaking out. It breaks the stigma. It builds connection. It reminds us that none of us are alone.
Healing Through Honesty
Every time I speak about mental health, whether it’s on stage, in a podcast, or in a simple conversation, I feel lighter. The weight of hiding disappears, and what’s left is authenticity, connection, and hope.
There’s something profoundly healing about saying, “This is what I’ve been through, and I’m still standing.” Because in that truth, there’s not just pain, there’s strength.
And when audiences hear it, something shifts. You can feel it in the room, the nods, the quiet tears, the sighs of relief from people who have finally heard someone say what they’ve been feeling for so long.
That’s why I do what I do. That’s why I’ll never stop speaking about it.
Changing the Conversation
We need to normalise conversations around mental health. Not just during awareness weeks or after tragedy, but every day, at home, in business, in schools, and in our communities.
Talking about mental health should be as normal as talking about physical health. We don’t shame someone for breaking their leg, so why shame someone for breaking under pressure?
When we open up, we give others permission to do the same. We build understanding, compassion, and community, three things this world needs more than ever.
My Message to You
If you’re struggling right now, please know you don’t have to do it alone. You don’t have to be the strong one all the time. You don’t have to keep pretending.
Talk to someone. A friend, a counsellor, a colleague. You might think your voice doesn’t matter, but it does. It could be the first step toward your own healing, and it might just help someone else find theirs too.
Final Thoughts
Speaking out about mental health isn’t easy. It takes courage to share the parts of yourself that feel raw and unfiltered. But it’s in those honest moments that real strength is found.
When we talk about what hurts, we start to heal. When we share our truth, we inspire others to do the same. And when we keep the conversation going, we remind the world that vulnerability is not weakness, it’s the purest form of resilience.
Let’s keep talking. Let’s keep listening. And let’s never stop reminding each other that it’s okay to not be okay.
Want to book Justine to speak about resilience, mental health, and overcoming adversity?
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