WellnessStronger Togethermental illnessComics

11 Comics That Nail What It Feels Like To Live With Mental Illness

You're not alone.
By 

Lifestyle Editor, HuffPost

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Mental illness is nobody’s fault. And because it affects one in five Americans during a given year, we should feel especially free to talk about how mental illness meddles with our everyday lives.

To that end, illustrator Gemma Correll drafted a lineup of comics based on submissions from people dealing with anxiety, depression and other disorders in partnership with Mental Health America for their May is Mental Health Month campaign. The result is a roundup of images that remind anyone with a mental illness that they are far from alone.

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Before You Go

Male Celebrities On Mental Health
Zayn Malik(01 of10)
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The singer recently canceled his appearance at the Capital Summertime Ball in the U.K. due to issues from anxiety. Malik explained his condition in a Twitter and Instagram post, apologizing to his fans.

“Unfortunately, my anxiety that has haunted me throughout the last few months around live performances has gotten the better of me,” he wrote in the statement. “With the magnitude of the event, I have suffered the worst anxiety of my career.” (credit:Getty Images)
Wayne Brady(02 of10)
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After the death of actor Robin Williams in 2014, Brady opened up about the stigma around mental illness and his own experience with it to Entertainment Tonight.

"It took me a while to get my stuff together to go, 'You know what? If you're not happy, you have to do something about it,'" he said. "Just to admit that you are feeling this way is a huge step. To claim that, to say, 'Why do I feel dark? Why do I feel unhappy? Let me do something about this.'" (credit:Michael Boardman via Getty Images)
Bill Clinton(03 of10)
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Clinton advocated for better mental health policies when he was president, slamming the negative stereotypes surrounding the conditions during a radio address in 1999.

"Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us all," he stated. (credit:Brendan McDermid / Reuters)
Howie Mandel(04 of10)
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The comedian and TV show host has been honest in interviews about his experience with obsessive compulsive disorder and why it's important to seek therapy for the condition.

"We take care of our dental health. We don't take care of our mental health," he told CNN. "I think the solution to making this world better is if we would just be healthy, mentally." (credit:Araya Diaz via Getty Images)
Jon Hamm(05 of10)
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Hamm told U.K. magazine The Observer that treatment and medication allowed him to manage his mental health issues.

"I did do therapy and antidepressants for a brief period, which helped me," he said. "Which is what therapy does: it gives you another perspective when you are so lost in your own spiral... It helps." (credit:Mario Anzuoni / Reuters)
Brandon Marshall(06 of10)
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The Jets wide receiver hasn't been shy about advocating for mental health through his initiative Project 375. He also opened up about his own experience with borderline personality disorder in a HuffPost blog.

"We need to accept that mental illness is a disease — and like any other disease, it needs stronger research, early screening and treatment, especially for young people," he wrote. (credit:USA Today Sports / Reuters)
John Green(07 of10)
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The Fault In Our Stars author has previously tweeted about his personal experience with an anxiety disorder and also touted the benefits of seeking support when dealing with a mental health condition.

“There is hope. There is treatment,” he wrote to a fan in a Reddit AMA. “You are not alone, and while I know the struggle feels at times completely hopeless and futile, there is a far shore for the vast majority of people, and I wish you the best.” (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
Jared Padalecki(08 of10)
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The actor told Variety magazine that he struggled with depression for many years. He shared an encouraging message with his fans going through the same experiences in the interview.

“I say constantly that there’s no shame in dealing with these things,” Padalecki told the magazine. “There’s no shame in having to fight every day, but fighting every day, and presumably, if you’re still alive to hear these words or read this interview, then you are winning your war. You’re here.” (credit:Albert L. Ortega via Getty Images)
Reid Ewing(09 of10)
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The "Modern Family" actor discussed his issues with body dysmorphia, a condition where a person obsesses over their physical looks, in a HuffPost blog. He also explained his history with eating disorders and his addiction to cosmetic surgery.

"In my case, my looks were the only thing that mattered to me," he wrote. "I had just moved to LA to become an actor and had very few, if any, friends. I’d sit alone in my apartment and take pictures of myself from every angle, analyzing every feature." (credit:Paul Archuleta via Getty Images)
Dwayne Johnson(10 of10)
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Johnson discussed his experience with depression on Oprah's "Master Class," where he explained how he learned the important lesson that he wasn't alone. He also shared a message with others who were dealing with a mental health issue.

"Have faith that on the other side of your pain is something good," he said. (credit:Juan Naharro Gimenez via Getty Images)

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