Mental Health Awareness: Let's Talk

 Author: Sneha S.

    Mental health is one of the most neglected areas of public health in the world. Countries spend just 2% of their health budgets on mental health. However, close to 1 billion people are living with a mental disorder, 3 million people die every year from the harmful use of alcohol and one person dies every 40 seconds by suicide. And now, billions of people around the world have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is having a further impact on people’ mental health. 

    However, there is a stigma attached to talking about mental health issues which needs to end now because we need to be mindful that emotional health is an important part of overall health. People who are emotionally healthy are in control of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. They are able to cope with life’s challenges. They feel good about themselves and have good relationships. 

    Being emotionally healthy does not mean you are happy all the time. It means you are aware of your emotions. You can deal with them, whether they are positive or negative. Emotionally healthy people do still feel stress, anger, and sadness. But they also know how to manage their negative feelings. They can tell when a problem is more than they can handle on their own. They also know when to seek help from their therapist / counsellor. 

Research shows that acquiring and maintaining emotional health is a skill. You can practise “Emotional Hygiene” to improve your emotional health and be happier. 

• Be aware of your emotions and reactions: Become aware of those things in your life that make you feel sad, frustrated, or angry and catalogue them in a journal. Then, make a plan to address or change them.
• Manage your thoughts and feelings: Learn relaxation methods like meditation, deep breathing, and exercise to cope with stress due to negativity in thoughts and behaviour.
• Think before you act: Give yourself time to think and be calm before you say or do something you may regret later. 
• Express your feelings in appropriate ways: Talk to family, friends when something is bothering you. If it is bothering you persistently, talk to a counsellor. Keeping feelings of sadness or anger inside can cause problems in your relationships at home, at work or at school and put you in the middle of a negative cyclic triad of thoughts, emotions, and behaviour.
• Take care of your physical self: Exercise regularly, eat healthy meals, and get enough sleep. Do not abuse drugs or alcohol. Prevent your physical health from affecting your emotional health. 
• Strive for balance: Find a healthy balance between work and play, and between task and rest. Make time and focus on things that you are passionate about in your life.
• Find purpose and meaning: Figure out what is important to you in life; it could be your family, your work, volunteering, caregiving, or anything else. Spend your time doing what feels meaningful to you.
• Connect with others: Make a lunch date, join a group, and say hello and /or smile at strangers. Make meaningful and enduring connections with other people.
• Stay grateful: Focus on being thankful for the good things in your life. Forgive yourself for making mistakes and forgive others.

 

Zinger for the Day: If you are finding it difficult to practise Emotional Hygiene daily, then seek a counsellor. Dodge the stigma. Talk about your feelings and your moods. We are here to listen. Come and be part of the conversation.