Mental health in the mayhem of modern living, in the whirlwind of work challenges, people and pressures; locked up when the whole world is in pure chaos is a big deal. Those filled with mental health, those who lead a healthy and happy life, that who walk on the thin line of goodness; mental health has such importance for our well-being.
In this blog, we will explore the world of mental health and awareness, a landscape that is hidden from many but a place that should be brought to light, with more information and awareness than one can imagine.The first barrier to address, in my mind, is the overwhelming stigma that surrounds mental health. For so long, those suffering from mental illness have been whispered about in hushed tones, as if some kind of taboo exists around the condition. Silence breeds fear, and fear gives way to stigma. And so often I have heard this from the friends and family members who come to me for advice: Mom is suffering but is too ashamed to see anyone for help.Mental health isn’t a noun and it’s not singular. It’s measurable and it’s important. Some days you will have high mental health, some days you will have not so high mental health, but it is never low mental health. If many of us are equipped with the language to recognize anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or other mental health conditions by name, then we can all be more empathetic to the people we live and work among who are grappling with these conditions every day. Mental health is a spectrum.
In our path, we find kindness and caring, greeting, if temporarily, the healing light of compassion and empathy. Extending a hand; listening; just being there… these are the two by two that ark our fellow humans out of their despair, allowing them to feel that there is a way of being in the world, and a future. Each act of generosity is the provision of a light, helping one to move forward by one step towards eventual retrieval. I don’t have time to dissect why one of the primary reasons so many struggle with mental illness is because there’s no access to mental health services. But the reasons are myriad, ranging from financial constraints, to lack of resources, to barriers from society. We must advocate for more access and affordability to services. We must help people not go it alone.
We are certainly not done with personal, professional, societal and political journeys through mental health and mental-health awareness – but we are taking them that far and no further. Demystifying and notкри-mitisating mental-health distress, educating and advocating to promote understanding and access to appropriate care will result in a more humane and compassionate world – where mental health is recognised, appreciated and supported. Step, by step.
By- Saijashi Upadhyay
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