Mental health is often in the news these days. It’s an epidemic putting enormous pressure on our health care system. It’s a burden weighing down our kids as they navigate a more complex and cruel world. We hear about ending the stigma of mental illness through open dialogue.
Mental illness in my immediate and extended family was a big part of my childhood and teen years. When I moved out at 18, I wanted to escape depression, anxiety and alcoholism. But guess what I found living in my own head? My old pals.
Depression: times I couldn’t get out of bed. Anxiety: times I couldn’t calm my mind. Alcoholism: years of problem drinking followed by five years spent drinking every day, ostensibly to treat the previous afflictions. By the end of that, I found I couldn’t quit drinking without help.
Don’t worry about me, friends. I’ve been doing a lot better for a long time. So are most of my family members. Most, but not all. There have been casualties. I share this not for sympathy or attention, but simply to connect with the majority of you who have stories like this of your own. This issue touches everyone regardless of gender, race, religion or politics.
The goal of my editorial page series is not only to ease the stigma of talking about mental health, but to break some of the cliches surrounding the topic. We face some serious choices if we’re going to heal mental illness. It’s worth healing. Above all, there is hope, if we try.
Read “To heal generational pain, we must recognize and ease Minnesota’s mental health crisis,” published Sunday, April 27, 2025 in the Minnesota Star Tribune. Beginning with a personal story, I hope my series will do some greater good over the next couple months.
Aaron J. Brown is a columnist and member of the editorial board for the Minnesota Star Tribune. His new book about Hibbing Mayor Victor Power and his momentous fight against the world’s largest corporation will be out soon.
