Mental Health

Very often in the race of life, we cease to live. Schedules and Deadlines often have us not addressing what resides within ourselves. By ‘inside’ I don’t necessarily mean physical health, but something equivalent and not much talked about – Mental Health.

 

Unlike physical health, healing mental health issues is a tedious process that often robs oneself of peace and confidence. Making a mess out of a fully functioning human being and driving them to the peak of it, leaving no option but suicide. Suicide is never an option, we often preach this to someone whom we know is suffering.

 

Often while lending our support to such a person we tend to suggest to them what they should and should not do to compose themselves and achieve completeness. We ought to stop doing that and find other ways of lending our support. Suffering is personal, no matter how much we attempt, we can never share the sufferer’s pain. In such a situation let the person be (this does not mean abandoning them). Let them deal with their pain, their way because in the end, it is them who has to heal. Allow them to feel their feelings but be there to listen to them talk and encourage them. Do not make them feel like a burden on you because we humans have the tendency to do so unknowingly.

 

 Mental health is related to the lifestyle choices that we make. It is righteously said, “the worst place one can be at is sometimes his or her own mind”. Listing some lifestyle habits, which when practised can help one come face to face with their issues and overcome any obstacles that they face. Remember healing is a slow process and none of it will work if you lack the will to make them work.

 

1.GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR FEELINGS

 We refuse to acknowledge our feelings. When we choose to consciously avoid giving a thought about what is bothering us by diverting our mind towards other activities we call it Escapism. communicate with your feelings, try to understand what happened? why it happened? and why you are feeling a certain way about it. When you find the answers to these questions, pat yourself on the shoulder because you have cracked the very first stage of making peace with your mind.

 

2. GET UP, GET OUT, GO PLACES

 You read it right. Do not limit and confine yourself. The more time you spend around people and hit places be it your favourite cafe, the library or your neighbourhood park where you jog, GO THERE! don’t stop living . Give yourself another chance.

 

3. CONTROL, LET GO

 What to do when unfavourable situations arise? There are certain things or situations you have control over and some that are beyond your control. We often end up worrying about things that are not under our control, does that make sense? No right. So why worry about that and why not let it go? If you productively spend the time you use worrying about things that are not in your control, you will actually find ways to solve problems that you can.

 

4. TALK AND ASK FOR HELP

 Lastly, talk to your close friends and family members if things are not working out. Feel free to contact Suicide prevention helpline numbers. You can also search for online therapy sessions (usually free of cost) if visiting a psychologist or therapist is not feasible for you. If you don’t prefer another person’s involvement then the least you can do is maintain a journal, but provide your feelings with an outlet. You are never alone.

 

These may seem to be less but ‘less is more’. Adopting this approach towards life may help you to deal with life positively. Remember, do what suits YOU. It is always healthy to put it out there rather than bottling up your feelings. Let’s be regular in our discussions about mental health and providing support to those in need.