Mental health issues must be dealt with honesty

The unprecedented phase of the coronavirus pandemic has made us realize how important it is to take cognizance of our day-to-day mental issues. Our perception of rampant mental health issues entailing depression and anxiety has transformed.

But we need to walk a long way to make it a health priority. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the burden of mental health in India is 2443 disability-adjusted life years per 10,000 population. The age-adjusted suicide rate in the same figure is 21.1. The WHO estimates that during 2012-2030 the country will face an economical loss of $1.03 trillion due to mental health issues.

Mental health can affect an individual’s thoughts, behaviours, and feelings. It has been observed that depression has a stronger effect on the body than any physical injury. Even science has proved this in various studies. Anything holding the capability to disturb an individual’s routine and potential to achieve things in life is not worth it.

Our body, mind, and spirit depend on our mental stability. If not taken proper care, it can affect career and physical health. To make yourself a priority with chaos in the head is a challenging task but aren’t we good at slaying weird situations? Letting a situation control your life performance makes no sense and will make no difference to the people around you. Your skills need to be polished, your career needs a ladder, and your well-being needs a break from everything.

Enhancing mental health is crucial because a depressed and anxious mind can cause hindrance in taking out the best version of us. Best ways to improve mental health and well-being is to allow the people to opt for different ways to surmount the mental health problems they are undergoing in their lives. For some, it works the traditional method of shutting inside the room till things seem normal and for some, it goes the excessive exercise way.

However, such escape routes are not recommended by mental health experts. It needs to be dealt with from the base. Take a journal and note down how your days are and what you feel. Examine your thoughts written after a week and then after a month. Soon, you’ll notice the graph of your thoughts and understand which direction it leads. Every weird situation has goodness hidden in it. Finding that would make your mental health a priority!

Get out of closed walls. A walk to the nearest park or spending time enjoying sunrise and sunsets will put your mind at ease. It might be difficult in the beginning but patience is the key. Spend time helping others and trying new activities. Plan a hike, go on adventures, and explore activities that get you back to your happy self. Sleep is very important, especially when you are experiencing mental issues. Try belly breathing or yoga. It will help you loosen your muscles, put your body at ease and have quality sleep.

The government and even influencers on social media have done a commendable job in spreading awareness about mental health. It starts from home. Mental health can be a global priority when we have patience and understanding in cooperating with our loved ones going through it. Talking is always the first step to understanding their situation and getting into their shoes. Lend them your ears without any judgment or confrontation. Giving them the confidence that they can trust you is the best thing one can do to help people with mental issues.

(The author is Founder, Manasthali)