Happy Halloween! This Is The #FaceOfMentalIllness

Last week, we invited our community – and the world – to stand in solidarity against hurtful Halloween “costumes” and “attractions” which fan the flames of the fires of the stigma and discrimination which surround mental illness.

The response was tremendous. So many people stood up and proudly announced to the world, “This is me. This is the #FaceOfMentalIllness. My medical condition is nothing to be mocked or turned into a horror show for entertainment value. I have overcome massive hurdles in my life and I’m proud to be me. My mental illness is NOT a costume.”

Here are just some of the selfies that were shared during our 6-day campaign which kicked off last week during #BraveChat:

@ThisIsMyBrave this is my #faceofmentalillness I’m proving that anxiety isn’t always constant and I can have fun and smile too!! pic.twitter.com/wCFx3lD5FN

– Emma H (@emdoodling) October 29, 2016

@thisismybrave #faceofmentalillness

Supporting @thisismybrave #thisisthefaceofmentalillness

#MentalIllness is not a costume or a joke. Showing the world the REAL face of mental illness to help @thisismybrave fight #stigma this Halloween and all year long. #faceofmentalillness #bipolar #anxiety #ppd #personaltrainer #nasmcpt #runner #longdistancerunning #twinmom

Here’s my #faceofmentalillness … notice how it’s not a Halloween costume? @thisismybrave #stopthestigma

I am a #faceofmentalillness and I support @thisismybrave’s campaign to show the only thing society should find scary about mental illness is the way we stigmatize those who suffer and the lack of access to proper treatment. I nor my disorder, my suffering, or my experiences should be perverted and caricatured for the sake of scares and thrills.

I am the #faceofmentalillness #noapology #noretreat #nosurrender

I am the #faceofmentalillness! Living with #depression is a struggle that I encounter daily, but it doesn’t define me! Mental illness is not a Halloween costume nor a special attraction! #thisismybrave #storytellingsaveslives #endstigma

Joining in @thisismybrave in proclaiming what the true face of #bipolar #OCD #GAD and #ADHD looks like #mentalhealth #MHSM #faceofmentalillness #Figtingforabetterus #momlife #lovemykids #lifewothlivingfor

Mental illness is not a costume or a joke. Showing the world a real #faceofmentalillness to help @thisismybrave fight stigma this Halloween and all year long!

Keep those beautiful selfies coming! We’ll be re-sharing your posts all day to celebrate Halloween with hope and the real #FaceOfMentalIllness!