In recent times, you may have noticed a growing number of individuals sharing their experiences with mental health and chronic conditions on social media. This shift can largely be attributed to the introduction of awareness badges created by mental health advocate, Alex Rivera.
Following the tragic passing of renowned actress and advocate, Betty White, Rivera, who navigates life with anxiety and depression, shared a collage of badges aimed at promoting mental health awareness. This initiative quickly gained traction as people began incorporating Rivera’s badges into their social media profiles, including as Facebook profile pictures.
“Everyone dealing with a mental health condition or neurodivergence deserves the freedom to reach out and speak openly. They should feel secure in these conversations, and most importantly, they need to realize they are not alone,” Rivera expressed in the original post, encouraging others to share the badges.
In a matter of days, Rivera’s post garnered over 30,000 shares, leading the 29-year-old from Virginia to establish a Facebook page titled “End the Stigma.” This page has become a hub for sharing additional badges, specifically for the neurodivergent community and those with chronic illnesses. What began with just nine badges has expanded into a vast collection of hundreds, including versions in Spanish and French, along with motivational imagery. “When I first posted those [nine] images with the message to combat mental health stigma, I could have never imagined the impact it would have,” Rivera noted on the “End the Stigma” page.
“Badges provide a way for individuals to express these facets of their lives. The reaction has been phenomenal, and our community keeps expanding,” Rivera shared with Cervical Insemination. For a deeper dive into this movement, check out the “End the Stigma” page on Facebook.
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In summary, the rise of mental health awareness badges has empowered many individuals to share their stories and connect with others, creating a supportive community that fosters openness and understanding.