May 24, 2026
Bill Conger
Nuts! Crazy! Insane! They’re some of the pejorative remarks people make casually at times to demean people going through mental health issues. For years there were negative connotations regarding people who were struggling with mental health concerns. Clinical Supervisor at Haven of Hope Samanthia Curtis says she thinks that stigma is lifting now.
“Some people think that if I go to a counselor, I must be crazy, right?” Curtis said. “And that term is inaccurate. It could be they just have life issues that they need to work out right now. It could mean they have a little depression or anxiety that they need to work out now. There are a couple of mental health disorders that medication is important to work with the counseling. It’s not for “crazy people.” It’s just people who might struggle with their mental health. I think a lot more people understand that today than they used to.”
“Seeking out counseling gives you an unbiased, nonjudgmental platform to share your concerns and come up with a solution for yourself,” says Haven of Hope Counselor Rose Koerber. “We all have crazy times in our lives, and they are challenges that you may be facing and need some support. Unfortunately, there is not a pill to fix our needs. This gives you an opportunity to process what you are going through and find healthy solutions.”
Curtis says it takes courage for someone to walk into the counseling world and face the issue head on.
“Sometimes, it’s scary to show up to a mental health counselor for the first time,” she says. “It’s somebody you don’t know, and you’re going to tell them some of your deepest troubling issues. So, it’s a bit intimidating. Most of the time when they come for that first time, they actually feel better and even enjoy it I would say.”
May is Mental Health Awareness Month across the nation, a time that is dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and providing mental health resources.
“When you’re struggling with your mental health, it’s not about what somebody else will think about this,” Curtis says. “You have to do what we must to help with your mental health, because if we let it go too far, it sometimes gets dangerous, and you’re not living your best life. Some people will even take their own life. Even though it can be difficult to reach out, it’s always worth it.
