Break the Stigma & Talk About Mental Health Openly
Often we forget that health is defined by complete physical and mental well-being. While focusing on improving our physical health we tend to ignore dealing with mental health challenges. In a country like India where almost 60 to 70 million people suffer from some form of mental health challenge and the suicide rate reaches nearly 2.6 lakhs in a year, it is high time we come together and break the stigma around mental health.
Treating Mental and Physical Health Equally
It is true that the mind and body are separate identities, but we must not forget their impacts on each other. A healthy body is not achieved simply by maintaining good physical health. Numerous studies prove that poor mental health can trigger chronic physical conditions and vice versa. This is why it is important to focus on the overall well-being of our bodies.
Educating Ourselves and Others
It goes without saying that breaking the stigma around mental health can be achieved through right education. By organising or taking part in webinars and educational campaigns, reading statistics on mental health challenges and engaging in positive affirmations through social media, we all can do our bit to break the myths and taboos associated with mental health. It is through education that we can become more aware of symptoms of mental health problems, either in ourselves or our loved ones.
Talking About Mental Health
In today’s day and age it is high time we normalise conversations around mental health. Regardless of how busy your work or education is keeping you, talking about your mental well-being is crucial. Speaking to friends or family can not only help break the stigma but also encourage others to speak about what they are feeling. Initiating a conversation around mental health can be challenging at first but we need to remind ourselves that a change in the way society views mental health can shift with these little steps only.
Promoting Healthy Coping Mechanism
Since mental health is not discussed openly, it is quite common for people to indulge in unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with depression, stress, anxiety etc which worsens the situation. It is time to promote healthy ways to deal and cope with mental health problems like therapy or counselling. Thankfully, today we have the option to join support groups like the National Alliance for Mental Health to find reliable solutions.
Learn Empathy and Choose Language Consciously
It is important to remember that people around us, even if they appear healthy and happy, might be dealing with mental health challenges. This is where our empathy and cautious language play a vital role in creating a safe environment for our loved ones to speak about their feelings and state of mind. Being conscious of our language might take time, given the years of conditioning, but even small steps can create a huge impact.
Before you leave, remember that being empathetic and choosing language consciously even while talking about ourselves plays a vital role in breaking the stigma around mental health.