Mental Health Isn’t Biased—It Can Affect Anyone

Carissa Kajenski
Jun 17
2 min read

Mental Health Doesn’t Discriminate, and Neither Should Support

When we talk about mental health, one of the most harmful myths is the belief that it only affects “certain types” of people. Maybe you’ve heard things like:

“But you have a great job! Why would you be anxious?”
“They’re so strong, they’d never struggle with depression.”
“This only happens to people who’ve had a hard life.”

The truth is: mental health challenges don’t discriminate. They don’t care how successful, social, tough, or accomplished you are. Mental health isn’t biased, and it can affect anyone at any stage of life.

Breaking the Stereotypes

We all carry stories about what mental illness "should" look like. These stereotypes can be deeply ingrained and often keep people from reaching out. But the reality is:

Anxiety doesn’t only affect people who “worry too much.”
Depression isn’t just sadness after a major life event.
Bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, ADHD—these aren’t character flaws or lifestyle choices.

Mental health conditions show up across ages, backgrounds, genders, and income levels. Just like physical health, your mental wellness is something that deserves support, care, and understanding.

It’s Okay to Ask for Help. You Don’t Have to Earn It

Too often, people hesitate to seek help because they feel like their struggle isn’t “bad enough” or “real enough.” But you don’t need to hit rock bottom to deserve support. If your mental health is affecting your sleep, your focus, your relationships, or your ability to enjoy life, that’s reason enough to reach out.

As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I work with adults from all walks of life. Some come in with a diagnosis, others just know that something feels off. Every one of them is equally valid. There is no hierarchy of pain. If it matters to you, it matters.

Mental Strength Includes Knowing When to Reach Out

Seeking help is not weakness. In fact, it’s an act of courage and self-awareness. It takes strength to say, “I want to feel better.” It takes strength to say, “This isn’t working for me anymore.” And it takes strength to let someone in.

At Hopeful Mind Mental Health, I provide compassionate, personalized psychiatric medication management for adults in New Hampshire and Maine. My job isn’t to judge or label. It’s to listen, collaborate, and help you find a path toward feeling more like yourself again.

You Are Not Alone, and You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone Either

If you’ve been struggling silently or feeling like your experience doesn’t “qualify” for help, I want you to know: Your pain is real. Your progress is possible. Your healing is worth prioritizing.