Zena Singh
Imphal
Just because you or I don’t show it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there – loneliness, fears, things invisible outwardly, emotions unexpressed, things not immediately apparent. These are mostly hidden – considered taboo –all for the sake of saving image and face of an individual or the family name all because we are uncomfortable in society- over this ‘mark of disgrace’. It is therefore hushed.
The question to ask ourselves is this: does it pay to keep it all muffled instead of reaching out for help?
Society is almost always wording it (mental Health) to be imaginary, so we avoid it. We avoid it intentionally as we could be judged. We avoid noticing changes in behavior, we avoid choosing to ignore clear signs of depression, we avoid looking the problem in the eye, hardly does anybody want to deal with it let alone talk about it.
This stigma against Mental Illness has lead to the loss of one too many lives – turning our backs to this problem is resulting in many out there who appear to be alive and yet are not living.
In this Mental Health Awareness Month let us be aware that just as we pay attention to our Physical Health willingly going that extra mile to getting our bodies well and whole let us make it equally important, if not more crucial, to be attentive and make all effort to seriously attend to our mental problems and of those of our loved ones.
Today, there is a need to acknowledge the fact that there is a rise, a significant increase in poor Mental Health, more so among many young people, however also affecting all ages irrespective of backgrounds, though not spoken too much about.
How can we help with this rising rate and what can we do to prevent some of the toughest social challenges.
There comes the deep need to raise Awareness, particularly for health & happiness for ourselves and of the future .These may be brought about by addressing societal factors, Community support systematic changes….healthy lifestyles..… …access to care & professional help, provision of information, most importantly beginning with a change in the way we think.
Yet, starting with individual mindsets, to help ourselves, predominantly stands out urgently, the need to talk. Talk about our feelings and emotions equally the good as also the more difficult ones. It is so important to share – share your feelings, your thoughts, your fears, your ideas- it’s all about expressing yourself – in the best way you know how –through music, art, photography, poetry, dance, journaling, sports - through those things that make you feel good about yourself, to be the very best version of ourselves because in confronting our fears & insecurities leads to a deeper understanding of ourselves, thereby knowing what we stand for- which brings out the best version of ourselves.
The idea is not to isolate yourself, instead it is to find someone to talk to, someone who would be willing to hear you through without any form of judgement.
You are allowed to be vulnerable, by that it means that in permitting yourself to express difficult emotions like grief, fear, even shame would provide a kind of freedom leading to an even healthier emotional wellbeing. It greatly helps us accept ourselves and in the bargain makes us stronger individuals. Vulnerability is not a weakness, as it may be believed, in fact it acts as being the most powerful key, the path to an all truly human connection.
There’s no disgrace in working toward a healthy Mind. I work on it daily and I’ve come a long way.
