After everything you did for your country, do you not deserve to be happy too?

Just like hiding our gender or sexual identity puts a strain on our minds, hiding mental illness does too. Internalization does not make these issues go away, but rather they are solidified and more stress-inducing than if they were not hidden. Just because others can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there and harming your well-being.

Not being accepted is not as harmless as simple disapproval. Rather, it is concern over if the person will harm or out-them to others who may harm them.

The awareness surrounding body image challenges and the efforts to promote self-acceptance overlook the complexity of body image.