Female Mental Health Advocates You Need to Follow on Instagram

Mental health is an issue that is often times stigmatized by society, which makes it much harder to get treatment. Whether it’s culture differences or disorder stereotypes, the results can be extremely damaging. However, these strong female mental health advocates are opening up the conversation.

 

Mental issues are not just affecting a certain category of people. According to Mental Health of America, the rate of youth with Major Depressive Episode (MDE) increased from 11.93% to 12.63%. There was only a 1.5% decrease in the rate of youth with MDE who did receive treatment. Data showed that 62% of youth with MDE received no treatment.

 

So whether you are going through depression, anxiety, body image, self-harm, or other mental illnesses, there are others just like you who go through the same issues. Here are a few mental health advocates who have opened up their platforms in support of mental health.

 

Suzy Favor Hamilton

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#tbt to one year after my double life was revealed. Properly diagnosed, and experiencing clarity in large part from replacing Zoloft with Lamictal. Oh, the clarity could be intensely painful back then, and I didn’t like it. Still used alcohol, drugs and sex to escape reality. I would alternate between periods of shame and sometimes suicidal depression, followed by continued periods of mania where I wanted to take on the world. I can’t recall many periods of “in between” semi-management of my illness back then. . . This shot taken at that time would have represented a relatively good moment (posing for photos which as you know by now is something that brings me joy). But when I look back, I see how far I’ve come. That’s a really good feeling. I’m much more comfortable in my own skin today. I know my sweet spot of who I am and what’s best for my happiness and mental health. . . If you’re going through struggles of your own, know that it can get better, even if it seems impossible at the moment. Know that meds can be crucial, but imo, they are only one ingredient towards management. Identification of what triggers someone is so crucial. Then, can steps be taken to reduce or eliminate those triggers? And are you willing and able to take those steps? . . That’s a long and intensely difficult process. If you’ve been there, you know. If you’re in the middle of it, you’re exhausted. Keep moving forward, best you’re able. Baby steps. . . Thank you as always for listening and following my journey ? Let’s keep helping ourselves and others to lead amazing lives . . ? by Daniel Acuna . . #mentalhealth #bipolardisorder #beuniquelyyou #health #wellness #happiness #wisconsingirl #herveleger #bebravebeyou #sexpositivity #boudoirphotography #fastgirl #throwbackthursday #hope #lifecoaching #psychology #therapy

A post shared by Suzy Favor Hamilton (@favorhamilton) on Oct 25, 2018 at 10:09am PDT

Suzy Favor Hamilton is an Olympian and mental health advocate for sex positivity. However, she was once publicly shamed for being a Las Vegas escort. Instead of running from it, she embraced it. Not only is she embracing her sexual side, she is also coaching other women to be their true selves and feel good about sexual expression.  

“For me, it was being fortunate to have been referred to an amazing therapist. I had issues with body image, sexual shame, mental health stigma, etc. She eventually got it into my head that I was falling into the trap of caring too much what others thought and what I thought I needed to do and be to fit into society. She emphasized that I was good enough. And how important it would be moving forward to be my truest self.

If I’m a sexual woman, so be it. Own it and embrace it. If I live with mental illness, ok. Own it, embrace it, and work my ass off to manage it, and to hell with the ignorance of others. I realized the problem wasn’t so much me, but some of society that places stigmas, judgments, and unrealistic expectations on us to the point of never feeling like we are enough.

I’ve realized through that lesson the importance of being my truest self. How empowering and freeing that can be. I’ve learned to not care what others think and I find that when I’m myself I attract the right people into my life and weed out the noise.”

On Suzy’s Instagram, you can see she has shed the negativity and is fully living life how she wants to. As a result, she is an inspiration to women around the world. Many of Suzy’s captions are stories from her life including how she is able to get past the shame put on her by the media. Today, she is coaching women on being proud of who they are.

 

Alison Mariella Désir-Figueroa

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The #nycmarathon: it will TEST you ❤️ Thank you to the wonderful medic at mile 18 that gave me a rub down and brought me back to life after suffering dehydration; thank you to @biofreeze for being everywhere on the course because my legs were dead without you. And thank you to #HARLEMRUN who gave me a reason to keep moving forward. Everyone who called my name on the course – I heard you. And I’m so so thankful. #WeRunHarlem #Run4AllWomen #IStandWithPP #UARun #Biofreeze TUESDAY WE VOTE ✊? ? by @shayswood

A post shared by Alison Mariella Désir-Figueroa (@alisonmdesir) on Nov 4, 2018 at 2:06pm PST

Alison Mariella Désir-Figueroa is raising awareness for anxiety and depression in people of color. Alison is an entrepreneur, athlete, activist, and mental health counselor. Through her work in advocacy, she is determined to normalize the mental health conversation and erase the stigmas that come along with it.

Alison’s Instagram features her life as an athlete, as well as her journey supporting mental health. She also offers workshops that discusses mental health counseling, issues on identity, and social justice.

 

Danielle Molon

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Losing weight will not magically make negative thoughts about your body go away. Losing weight doesn’t mean you will suddenly love your body. Losing weight won’t magically make you confident. Losing weight doesn’t make you a better person or mean equate to more control over your life. The eating disorder is never satisfied and will convince you that you need to lose more weight. It can become a never ending battle with the scale. It takes a lot to put a stop to the control the scale has on you, but it’s possible!! You can take your life back. #recoveryispossible #recoveryisworthit #embracingmytrueself

A post shared by Danielle Molon (@embracingmytrueself) on Sep 12, 2018 at 6:58am PDT

Danielle Molon is a bulimia survivor and is inspiring others through their own recovery. Because of her personal experience, she encourages others to take control of their body dysmorphia and do away with poor health habits that can lead to possible death.

Danielle’s message is clear. She reinforces the fact that an eating disorder is a mental disorder. As a result, her Instagram feed is flooded with reminders and inspiration that you are beautiful the way you are and losing weight is not a part of the equation.

 

Jen Gotch

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Just a picture of A lady in a cute coat working hard to identify her value and gain self worth. I’ve been putting myself in some vulnerable situations lately so the issue has bubbled up a lot, and honestly as a relatively successful, grown woman, I was shocked to find out I am still finding it hard to identify and understand my value. Oh and the fact that I can be reduced to self loathing and intense insecurity in an instant. It’s fucking scary. Yet on paper I feel like I look pretty good, minus the adult acne, lactose intolerance and the snoring – I DON’T SNORE. YES I DO. FINE. This is the first big issue in a while that I haven’t been able to identify, understand and resolve quite quickly, but I’m determined to do just that. It feels like one of the last pieces of the puzzle. It’s an obstacle for me, wrapped up in fear, self doubt, ego and perfectionism. I know I’m not alone.

A post shared by jen gotch (@jengotch) on Oct 29, 2018 at 11:59am PDT

Jen Gotch teaches women that it is okay to talk about your feelings…even on your bad days. She opened her own shop called Ban.do with products that have an optimistic and emotionally-resonant tone. And, through her platforms, she hopes to erase the stigma against openly discussing mental health and normalizing the conversation through her stories.

Jen openly talks about her own anxiety and depression on her Instagram and encourages you to do the same. Her feed is filled with smiles, but also posts about how she’s really feeling. Jen rates her days from 1-10, with days where she is feeling great and others where she’s just feeling really low.

 

Dani DiPirro

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I’ve probably illustrated this quote a dozen times, but here’s another one! ??

A post shared by Dani DiPirro (@positivelypresent) on Dec 3, 2018 at 11:45am PST

Dani DiPirro is an author, blogger, and designer who promotes living a positive and present life. She gives insight on personal development and self-care. Her Instagram has tips on becoming more positive and living in the moment. Other topics include positive personal development and how to share positivity with others. Dani also gives resources and inspiration for being positively present.

Dani has a very colorful Instagram showcasing illustrations, typography, and design. In addition, the message behind each post is always focused on self-love. She reinforces her passion for art by sharing a message that anyone can get behind.

 

Megan Jayne Crabbe

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Hi this is my new dog walking outfit ?✨ ????? • [Image description: Megan is wearing a rainbow sequin jumpsuit with pink shoes and standing on a marble staircase with one hand on her hip]

A post shared by Megan Jayne Crabbe ? (@bodyposipanda) on Nov 20, 2018 at 11:45am PST

Megan Jayne Crabbe is a blogger and body positive Instagrammer. She focuses on intuitive eating, bikini body confidence, fatphobia and size prejudice. She gives detailed reasons why the diet industry is bullshit. Megan is also the author of Body Positive Power, where she goes into detail on discovering happiness by loving your body.

You’ll find that Megan’s Instagram posts are bright and colorful. Her content is filled with positive messages on finding self worth, no matter your size. As a mental health advocate, she teaches women that they don’t have to be a size 2 in order to fit in with the world and tells her own stories of when she is fighting her own battles with her body.

 

Gina Susanna

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Today’s my birthday ? I don’t normally do much to celebrate — usually I just take it easy, snuggle up on the couch with my ?? and my ? and watch a favorite movie over takeout. And honestly that’s my favorite way to start a new year of my life. ? This last year has been wild, filled with so many ups and downs and sideways shifts, but I’m grateful for all of it. Here’s to another year, filled with more love, more (gentle) challenges, and more growth ✨ #happybirthday #keepgoing #anxiousandcouragous

A post shared by g i n a (@nourishandeat) on Oct 26, 2018 at 9:18am PDT

Gina Susanna is a blogger and Instagrammer who promotes body positivity. In addition, Gina is an eating disorder survivor who uses her online platforms to promote healthy eating habits. She encourages her followers to find beauty in their own skin. Her feed is filled with inspirational quotes, her road to recovery, and self-care.

In an interview with Refinery29, Gina discussed how vacation diets are not only ruining our bodies, but also the actual vacation itself. “I KNOW those feelings so well,” she told Refinery29. “And I was just so sick of the constant diet culture voices telling me I needed to ‘look perfect’ to enjoy myself.”