Kyleigh Leist
Marketing Director
I remember the first time I started struggling with my mental health. I was in middle school, drowning in emotions I couldn’t explain, desperately searching for someone to understand me. Instead, I was met with rolled eyes, dismissive comments, and phrases like, “You’re just being dramatic,” or “It’s just a phase.”
For so many women, this is where the stigma begins.
While I know men face their own struggles when it comes to mental health—being told to “man up” and suppress their emotions—I’ve also seen how women encounter a deep-rooted stigma that can be just as harmful. I’ve been labeled as overly emotional, attention-seeking, or weak when I expressed pain, doubt, or anxiety. My struggles were frequently minimized, and even those closest to me didn’t always take my mental health concerns seriously.
"She’s Just Overthinking It"
I have been told so many times that I overthink everything, that I make a big deal out of nothing. But the reality is, overthinking is often tied to my anxiety and self-doubt—something I don’t choose to experience. It’s not that I want to spiral into endless “what ifs” or pick apart conversations hours after they’ve happened—it’s that my brain doesn’t always give me the option to stop.
When I do voice my concerns, I’ve been met with responses like, “You’re making a big deal out of nothing” or “Just stop thinking about it.” But mental illness doesn’t work that way. If it did, none of us would struggle.
"She Just Wants Attention"
Another damaging stigma I’ve faced is the idea that I’m faking it for attention. Depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD—these aren’t ploys for sympathy. They are real, exhausting battles that take an immense toll on my daily life.
And even if someone is seeking attention, isn’t that a sign that they need support? Isn’t it a call for help rather than a reason to be shamed?
"She’s Too Much"
I have felt like a burden more times than I can count. Whether it’s needing reassurance in relationships, battling self-doubt at work, or struggling with self-love, I’ve been made to feel like I am “too much.”
Too sensitive. Too emotional. Too needy.
So, I learned to keep it inside. I suppressed the pain, the fear, the exhaustion. I put on a brave face because I didn’t want to be seen as weak. And in doing so, I suffered in silence.
What I Need Instead
Instead of being dismissed, shamed, or ignored, women like me who struggle with mental health need:
Validation. Our feelings are real, and we need to be reminded that we’re not imagining our struggles.
Support. Whether it’s through peer support, therapy, or simply a friend who listens without judgment, we need to know we’re not alone.
Understanding. We need the people in our lives to educate themselves on mental health and recognize that struggles don’t always look the same for everyone.
A Safe Space. A place where we can express our emotions without fear of being called dramatic or attention-seeking.
It’s Okay to Struggle
If you’re reading this and it resonates with you, know this: you are not alone, and your struggles are valid. You are not “too much,” and you don’t have to shrink yourself to make others comfortable. Mental illness doesn’t define you, but your resilience does.
The stigma around women’s mental health won’t disappear overnight, but by sharing our stories, supporting one another, and rejecting the labels placed upon us, we can begin to change the narrative.
I know firsthand how exhausting it can be to carry this weight, but I also know that healing is possible. I am still learning to give myself grace, to accept that my mental health doesn’t make me weak. If no one has told you lately—you are worthy of love, support, and understanding. Just as you are.
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