We’re now living in a time frame where the conversation surrounding mental health has become a mainstream topic. 

Yes, people all over the world are now finally ready to have an open discussion about their psychological and emotional challenges.

Though mental health is a topic that is often stigmatized and ignored, it has gained significant importance in recent years. Not to mention, this is mainly due to growing interest and research in the field of mental illness and raising awareness among people.

But do you think the things are as rosy as they seem?

Certainly not… 

People are still facing significant mental health challenges, be it a student, working professional or housewife. Many of them are afraid to have open dialogues about their deepest pain, traumatic experiences and personal insecurities.

Suppressing our feelings is the culprit

It is not surprising that instability in life has a significant impact on our emotional and psychological well-being. 

For all of us, fear, sadness and anxiety are unavoidable feelings. However, from a very young age, we’re told to not talk about our feelings. We are taught to suppress our emotions, otherwise people will consider us as weak or dramatic. 

Yes, the talking about mental health is hard. The fear of being judged  or labeled is real. Sometimes problems are too dark to share with someone else.

It’s just difficult to admit it, like, how would that conversation even go? Sometimes it’s hard to even admit the issue of having mental illness.

Views surrounding mental health could differ. Unfortunately, conversation about mental health can be complex, challenging, and uncomfortable. Getting a safe space to speak about these issues is the real challenge.

Because of social stigma and criticism, most of us overlook their mental health concerns, forcing them to keep quiet. In fact, many people who experience mental issues find it’s difficult to talk about their sufferings adding to current troubles.

Even people with issues like depression and anxiety may not know how to seek help and, eventually prone to unhealthy coping mechanisms.

This is scary. And this approach proves extremely detrimental to our psychological well-being.

When we refrain from sharing our feelings, our mind is more prone for negativity. This makes us feel perpetually anxious and disconnect us from society. 

Consequences of unaddressed mental health issues

In extreme case, neglecting mental health becomes a reason for development of mental disorders.

Mental disorders can affect a person’s way of thinking, perceptions, mood or behavior. Thousands of people struggle with anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other mental illnesses every day. Many of them go undiagnosed or untreated due to lack of awareness on psychological health.

This invisible illness has pretty tangible consequences. Mental disorder can creep itself through all aspects of one’s life : family, work, finances, health, and common daily activities. 

The untold pain and suffering take a heavy toll on physical health too. Our feelings can manifest in the form of unexplained pain, tiredness, insomnia and digestive problems. 

Often times, neglected mental illness is the reason for chronic physical health issues including stroke, heart attack and obesity.

While mental disorder can be an individual struggle, it is also a major public health issue. Untreated mental illness can contribute to poorer performance at school and work, fewer employment opportunities and higher medical expenses. These disorders cost significant financial loss in terms of decreased productivity, absenteeism, and lost jobs and wages.

Mental-health problems can be treated effectively, and many people even recover completely. However, the access to proper care and the stigma attached to mental illness poses a significant barrier for people with mental health issues.

How do you make mental health matters?

Well, one good way is a start by simply talking about it.

Communication is important 

The first step is an open discussion about mental health. 

Normalizing talks about an emotional struggle helps people to understand that they are not struggling alone, and that treatment is accessible, and it can help them. It also removes the stigma attached to mental disorders, allowing people to talk more openly about their issues and actively seek help for their problems.

Although many of us are not used to talk about personal issues, learning to have proactive conversations make a huge impact in someone’s life. 

Put simply, we must allow ourselves to spark the conversation about mental problems like any other medical issue. It’s an individual’s right to disclose what they feel. The more people who share their experiences the more other people will understand what these illnesses are really like and the more acceptance will develop.

I am not suggesting that our everyday conversation needs to be about mental health. But sharing our concerns, especially when we feel overwhelmed, give us the liberation of no longer living in fear. 

All I know is that being proactive about our mental health also inspires others to speak about it or seeks out help. 

It might make sense for us to talk to our friends and family about our emotional struggle. 

But the question is who should be the first person we must open up to?

The person who is supportive, understanding and appears emotionally in-tune might be the right person to talk to, even if we’re not that close.

Time to change

People struggling with their mental health may be in our family, live next door, or work in a next cubicle. 

We as a society need to view mental disorders like other medical illnesses. Catching the problem early is the key. Therefore, shifting attitudes that create discrimination around mental health is necessary. 

Mental disorders are highly treatable. For many individuals, recovery from mental illness is possible. This massage needs to be further emphasized to combat stigma and encourage people to seek treatment. 

This approach allows patients with mental illnesses to feel supported and understood, while they navigate the challenges of finding treatment. The opportunity to recover from mental illness is much more in the environment of acceptance. 

Gaining awareness about mental health during times of stress, anxiety and uncertainty and learning healthy coping strategies help to build a mentally resilient community.

Yes, I know destigmatizing mental health will take time, but initiating open discussion will help people they need before it’s too late. Isn’t that pretty good thing to work towards? 

As a society, taking the conversation forward about an emotional struggle is the need of time because mental health matters to everyone.

Disclaimer

Mediclin Brain Health’s content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.