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Mental Health

We live in India which has recently become the most populated country in the world and has a diverse culture, religion, languages, and festivals which make the country beautiful, yet you know what is shocking? The majority of the population does not consider mental health a priority. Mental health is a taboo topic among all castes and classes. When we have a physical issue, we go to the respective doctor or hospitals but if there is a mental issue it is called a “phase” and we get to hear statements like, give it the time it will heal on its own. There is a huge stigma in going to a psychologist or a psychiatrist. People without knowing the actual facts relate a person dealing with mental health issues to a mad person or just call it an act of seeking attention. Definitely, things are changing around, mental health issues are being given more priority compared to the older times, but yet the stigma continues to co-exist. People are still ashamed to talk about it, leave alone own it. Before I go ahead, it's important to know what exactly is mental health and why is it as important as physical health. In simple terms, mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps to determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including early adverse life experiences, such as trauma or a history of abuse (for example, child abuse, sexual assault, witnessing violence), experiences related to other ongoing (chronic) medical conditions, such as cancer or diabetes, biological factor, use of alcohol/drugs. Nurturing mental health doesn’t just improve our daily functioning, but it can also help us control or at least combat some of the physical health problems directly linked to mental health conditions. For example, heart disease and stress are related, so managing stress might have a positive outcome on heart disease. Other benefits of taking care of our mental health can include: improving our mood, reducing our anxiety, creating an enhanced sense of inner peace, thinking more clearly, improving our relationships, and increasing our self-esteem. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, poor mental health and mental illness are not the same. What's the difference between normal mental health and mental disorders? Sometimes the answer is clear, but often the distinction isn't so obvious. A person can experience poor mental health and not be diagnosed with a mental illness. Likewise, a person diagnosed with a mental illness can experience periods of physical, mental, and social well-being. A mental health disorder affects how well you--maintain personal or family relationships, function in social settings, perform at work or school, learn at a level expected for your age and intelligence, and participate in other important activities. There are many different types of mental disorders. Some common ones include Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and phobias, depression, eating disorders, personality disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder. It's okay to not be okay. It's okay to be vulnerable. It's okay to feel a certain way. It's okay to be completely honest with your true emotions. It's okay to cry sometimes. It's okay to seek help when you feel your world is falling apart. There is nothing wrong with doing these things. The majority of us have been brought up in a way that we feel we are weak if we do any of the above-mentioned things. No, it is not so. opening up and talking about our mental health takes courage. You should be proud of yourself in such a case. There is an issue that you have recognized within yourself and you are willing to bring a change. This right here is your strength, don't let people make you think otherwise. every day might not be a good day, which is very much okay. Every day need not be flowery or jolly. Irrespective of gender or age, it's nothing uncool. It is very easy for some people to say, it's all in your head or you are trying to seek attention, get productive it will be all over. Don't listen to them. You do because that might be the best thing for you. Have you ever heard about the Chinese trap? You stick one finger in each end and suddenly you are stuck. Your immediate instinct is to pull your fingers apart to escape. But the more you do this, the more trapped you become. Ironically freedom comes from letting go of the fight, relaxing and you are released. Sometimes in life, we find ourselves stuck. When anxiety or stress feels unbearable, our natural instinct is to resist and fight harder. We pull harder on the Chinese finger trap, not realizing that we are only making it harder on ourselves. It feels counterintuitive, but sometimes we need to fully own and give in to our struggle. Allow yourselves to be “in it“ like “yes I am anxious today.” Remind yourself that you are human, and sometimes being “in it” happens to humans. Sometimes you need to lean into the struggles and let them be so that you can be released. It's not an easy road, to be honest, it's a tough road that may be a difficult one but not impossible. I am sure one can do it and it's okay to seek help. Seeking help doesn't mean you are being dependent at any point. Take one thing at a time, go one day at a time, feel things as they are, and address it. There are no quick fixes in life, it's about your perspective.