While awareness of mental health issues has progressed in leaps and bounds in recent years, stigmatisation of mental illness still exists in a major way.
So that's why it's unbelievably heartening to see grassroots awareness campaigns skyrocket in popularity on social media.
Overnight, the hashtag has gone viral, with thousands of people sharing their personal experiences with mental illness and opening the eyes of those who may have misconceptions about varying mental health issues.
The hashtag was not started by an agency or charity of any kind - it simply exists because those who live with mental illness wanted to shared their unique experiences.
Responses range from those who refuse to be defined by their diagnosis, to those who proudly use it for self-identification; from those who spoke honestly about struggling through a difficult period, to those who are proud of the positive way they're managing their mental illness; from those who encouraged others to seek professional assistance as they have done, to those who find it extremely difficult to ask for help. Many have also shared self-care methods, as well as contact details for suicide hotlines and mental illness services.
So, in five simple words, the hashtag has shone a light on a wide array of lived human experiences — and some very uplifting encouragement — with mental health.
Many are also using the hashtag to be open about their own battles with mental health, after the devastating , at age 27.
SBS spoke to Jake Bley, who used the to share his own experiences with anxiety.
The content creator explained that he believes that open and honest conversation is the way to tackle the stigmatisation of mental illnesses, because it will help lift taboos that commonly accompany them.
"I chose to share my experience on the hashtag because I believe that mental health is often overlooked as a serious impact on many people's lives," he says.
"I'm often seen as a well-adjusted, balanced person, which is probably true, but I also suffer from anxiety that sends me into a spin on the regular. The more we talk about it, the less taboo it will be in the future."
Having a bit of a rough time with mental health? It's a really good idea to chat to one of the friendly people at Lifeline on 13 11 14, or you can access Lifeline's online chat service .
