I’ve been struggling with this one for a while. Public messaging that it’s ok not to feel ok and variations on that wording are well meant as it says that you don’t have to pretend that everything is alright but isn’t there a downside to this messaging?

It’s great in its intent, hopes to make people feel supported when feeling vulnerable but read the wrong way it could be seen by some as dismissive and for those in despair who don’t feel it’s ok to not feel ok it could add to the feeling of isolation.

I’m sure that the good outweighs the bad here and that it’s more helpful than not normalising struggles but by normalising it could be seen as trivialising in the same way that people may say that ‘everyone is a bit ADHD.’

Is there a better expression?

“it’s not ok for you to feel bad but it can get better”

“Sorry that it feels bad but don’t hold it all in”

“It’s ok to struggle but tell someone, don’t be alone”

And so on…