Netflix & Heal

The Question No One is Asking

Dating is often about making a first impression—sharing laughs, common interests, and future dreams. But at what point do we speak on mental health or our experiences with trauma? The first date? The first month of dating? Or right before the first ultrasound of the newborn you are preparing to meet? At some point we have to stop running from the real questions. Courtship is not just a time for baecatioms, sharing reels, or Netflix and Chill. It’s a time where must show vulnerability as well as growth because none of us are without a story to tell when it comes to mental health. 

What’s it to you? 

Mental health is not a side note—it’s a core part of who we are. Just like you might share your career, hobbies, or educational background, your emotional wellbeing shapes how you will show up in a relationship. It’s also will show you if the person you are dating is compassionate and supportive. You can always count on someone being aware of their mental health but at least you can be the one to bring authenticity to the bonding. You might even spark someone’s interest in learning more about themselves in the area of emotional wellbeing. But, if we want the toxic love narrative to keep thriving, all we have to do is let the stigmas around mental health speak louder than our own truth. It’s funny (not that funny) how some people wouldn’t think twice about having unprotected sex, but will have an unprecedented fear of seeking therapy for themselves. 

A Safe Place

At the same time, you like this person and you do not want them to view you as a  of mental patient or buzzkill. So it’s okay to wait until you feel safe before opening up about your mental health. Building trust before you share anything is very important. Respectfully, people have the right to pursue who they want so even after you share and they disapprove don’t feel bad. Besides, anyone who doesn’t respect your mental health journey doesn’t deserve your healed version. Let the conversations flow naturally. No need to force your trauma to the forefront, but do not allow them to stay hidden for too long. Respect the suitors you attract, do hide the pieces of you that had to be collected and repositioned in to the person they see smiling across from them on a date night. It’s ok to not be ready to, but let’s keep the dating pool a safe place and refrain from entertaining anyone until you have made peace with your mental stability. Protecting others from your unhealed trauma is a self-care strategy that benefits everyone.

Two Way Street

When dating, it’s important to respect not just another person’s experiences but also what they may not know. Not everyone grows up with language or awareness around mental health, and some carry family histories shaped by silence, stigma, or misunderstanding. Meeting them with patience instead of judgment allows space for growth and trust. Respect means understanding that their lack of knowledge isn’t a flaw — it’s a starting point. How you show up in those moments can either break cycles or repeat them.

Ask yourself:

“When do I feel safe enough to share my mental health story, and what does that timing say about how I value myself?”

Whether it’s the first date or the tenth, the important part is that the conversation happens when you are ready—not when you feel pressured.

Netflix and Heal isn’t just about movies and snacks—it’s about creating space for conversations that lead to real connection and deeper healing.