Are we really mentally ill?

I recently found this quote by Carrie Fisher.
As much as I understood what she meant to proclaim such a statement, it very much disturbed the healthy part of me that does not believe in defining myself as “mentally ill”.
We are at a dividing time in the evolution of mental health awareness and recovery. I can see the importance of embracing the diagnosis in order to seek proper treatment and in the midst of feeling so disempowered one may believe it is powerful to associate with the “illness”.
However, I do believe in order to progress in recovery, transcend our limitations and fully understand ourselves we must not see ourselves as an illness. We are simply learning to work with our imbalances and challenges while finding a new way of living and thriving.
The thoughts and statements we make about ourselves and our struggles are very powerful and we have a choice of how we define ourselves.
So, with all due respect Carrie Fisher, I refuse to associate you with this term that is outdated and harsh!
How can we heal if we define ourselves with a label like “mentally ill”?
Carrie I will remember you not as mentally ill, but as a warrior of Truth, a shining light for those of us who were afraid to share. Because of your bravery and transparency we are creating more conversations about who we really are. We are fighting stigma and building a space for healing and peace of mind!
We are not an illness or a diagnosis, we are human beings and these labels should not define us. We may be struggling and shifting to realign and find balance but this does not mean we are “ill”. Our journey may look awkward on the outside as we are searching for that light within, so please be supportive and loving towards us while we are healing and transforming💚
