There is no easy way for me to put this – Mental health is Real and men and women need to start paying attention towards it.
- It does not matter if people around you consider it as a taboo
- It does not matter even if it starts at a small level and you feel it will be fine
- It does not matter if people around you dismiss your feelings
What matters is how you feel and what you feel is right for your mental health. I have seen so many folks around me suffering with depression, anxiety, emotional trauma etc. and what their relatives or friends have to say is ‘we have seen worse, this is nothing. So just forget it and get back to life.’ This is one of the most annoying things I have heard often related to multiple contexts, be it work or personal life.
Just as how physical health differs from person to person, mental health differs from person to person. Mental threshold is different for everyone. For example, similar to how two people diagnosed with same medical disorder cannot be treated with the same medicines (owing to different physical conditions), treatments for mental conditions are not the same. Individual attention must be paid because treatments are not the same for everyone.
A very important point to note is that, a person might have a mental health issue and might not be aware of it at all. The symptoms are often disregarded and disguised under ‘Physical health’ issues. For example, if a person gets irritated often, it may be attributed to some physical health like injury, digestion issue, etc. However, it may not be the reason. The underlying reason may be something completely related to mental health. Thus, in the long term despite providing all treatments for the assumed physical ailment, the person may not get better. Though it is crucial to diagnose physical health as well, all I’m trying to say is mental health diagnosis must be given equal weightage.
A few typical mental health issues to look out for are:
- Eating disorders
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Bipolar affective disorder etc.
I know that for many of us, understanding this can be difficult. The awareness and knowledge surrounding mental health, especially in India, has recently gained traction. It is a cultural change. Older generations may not believe in it, but younger generations might need it. It is indeed extremely difficult to strike a balance when both the generations discuss about this, but a balance must be struck.
I have seen so many recent cases of depression, anxiety, OCD etc. which are often not addressed properly leading to many unwanted consequences. I’m no mental health expert, but I do understand few basics about mental health and I’m writing this blog to create basic awareness about it.
Here are few measures which everyone can take to maintain good mental health. Consider these in the same lines as your workout/steps per day you target to maintain good physical health:
- Journaling – Jot down your thoughts/ to-do list/ gratitude etc.
- Practicing breathing techniques – We often tend to not focus on breathing as a practice from childhood. There are various ways in which breathing can be improved to give a sense of relaxation and mindfulness.
- Talk to your loved ones – Communication is key to mental health. If talking to your loved ones makes you feel better, do not hesitate.
- Maintain physical health – Mental health and physical health co-exists. Without a good physical health, a good mental health cannot be achieved.
- Professional help – It is good to consult a mental health professional. Professional help need not be the last resort reserved for the worst case scenarios. They give you the necessary tools and techniques to lead a happy and fulfilling life, thus preventing mental health issues. Think of this as a preventive vaccine!
Thus what I’m trying to say is, pay attention to your mental health. Ask for help when you need to, don’t wait. If you find your close ones in need for help, don’t shy away from talking to them regarding this. Remember, this is a relatively new topic among people and discussed less often. If you understand mental health issues, please try to promote basic awareness among your circle. Let them know there is no harm in asking for professional help.
