Mental Health Awareness Month 2023

“Health is Wealth”

When you come across this common saying, the first thing that comes to your mind might be to live a healthy and disease-free life. But how many of us even consider our mental health along with it?

“Prioritize your mental peace first!” “You overthink too much” “Just take a break from your routine” “Relax! You have got this.” You might have heard of these at some point in your life without even realizing the social stigma it carries. It has always been a taboo in India to talk about mental health since we are taught to hide out our emotions and feelings in front of other people. To bust the taboo about mental health and to educate people to prioritize their mental health over anything else, the month of May is celebrated as Mental Health Awareness Month all over the world.

History of Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month was first celebrated in the USA by the Mental Health America Organization in 1949 to create awareness about mental health among people.

Mental Health Awareness Month - Significance

In this rapidly evolving digital age, even the simplest of activities can feel like an uphill battle for everyone. To eradicate the stigma surrounding mental health, people must first accept that it is normal to experience fear, stress, and other negative feelings. Once you allow yourself to accept the situation as it is, you will be better able to decide whether you just need to talk to a close friend or seek professional treatment.

Apart from physical health that affected many people due to Covid-19, the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown has taken a toll on our mental well-being for many of us. So, it is important to make your mental health a top priority.

You should also know that mental health problems do not have any age limits. It is a fallacy that someone in their teens cannot be experiencing mental illness, just as it is a fallacy that someone in their 80s is perfectly mentally healthy. Protecting one's mental health is crucial at any age. Neglecting one's mental health might have negative effects on one's physical well-being. It can lead to a variety of negative outcomes, including the desire for isolation, persistent emotions of fear and social anxiety. Poor mental health can have far-reaching consequences, from causing long-term physical health problems to wreaking havoc in personal relationships and causing difficulties in the workplace. This is why it is important to talk about your mental health and recognize when you need help.

Ways to Deal with Mental Health Issues

Talk to someone you trust:

Instead of bottling up your feelings, it is best to open it to someone- it might be your friend, a family member or anyone you trust. If you live in a place where it is hard to talk to them in person, you can still connect with them through a phone call, a video call, or a texting app.

Stay away from things that disturb you:

Firstly, it is important to learn how to say "No" to things you do not want to do or do not care about. Never worry about hurting others because your mental health matters more than anything else.

Give yourself some time:

Get your ‘me’ time often! Even if you have a very hectic schedule, make sure you schedule some time for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Seek for Help:

When you are feeling overwhelmed, a therapist is there to listen to your concerns and help you sort them out. A mental health counsellor is someone who can help persons who are emotionally or psychologically distressed.

There is nothing to feel embarrassed about or hide anything from your therapist. You may consult with a qualified and certified psychologist or a mental wellness therapist even from the comfort of your homes.