World Mental Health Day: Your Mental Health Matters
Without any decoration of words, I’ll start today’s article rough and raw.
I have survived suicidal thoughts and no, I never physically harmed myself but yes I have fought with my mind in a way that made me not leave my bed for straight five days…. anyways, I came out of that black hole and has learned many ways to take care of my mental health without depending on others.
Recent years with pandemic has already shown the world the importance of mental health and to value and respect each other’s peace of mind. Talking of the country India, in most of the places mental illness is still treated as nothing or just some sort of excuse that people think the person is making up to gain sympathy.
Honestly, if one is suffering from any sort of mental disorder it becomes very difficult for that person to open up and reach out. So if someone tries it and opens up to you it is because they trust you. But a lot of people fail to understand this and they end up depressing the person more who is already struggling with so much! Please choose kindness over know-it-all behavior or telling them that it’s just in their head.
According to Wikipedia, around 8 lakh people die by suicide worldwide EVERY YEAR. Talking of India, in the year 2019, around 1,39,123 Indians committed suicide and mostly were Young Adults. Other studies estimate that about 250 million people suffer from depression, worldwide. As I am writing these numbers, I feel pain. Young adult is a stage of life where one is supposed to live life to the fullest…
The numbers stated above are only of the ones who committed suicide and died. The ones who attempted suicide are not even on the list. According to certain studies, the number of suicides seems to increase in the future, not only in India but worldwide which is really sad. The research on this topic is can be done endlessly.
Today, It is 10th October, World Mental Health Day. I’d really appreciate it if you do something to spread awareness about mental health/illness, not only with your loved ones but with every human you know. Here are the three things that I really want to share with you on this important day that I learned after going through a lot.
- The first and most important thing is — when it is about your mental health, trust very few when it comes to sharing what you are feeling. One of the best options is a therapist but not everyone can afford expensive therapy sessions and that makes you turn to your loved ones, the ones you trust the most. If you feel something is not okay with you then try to talk to them but don’t expect them to understand everything. Give them time as well to understand and contemplate what you are going through.
- Find time to be with yourself. Learn what helps you when you feel down. It can be anything. From artistic things to anything that makes you feel good. You can start doing exercise or go on a drive or learn something new or spend time alone with some music and dance. Personally, for me, writing does most of the work. In fact, there are many other things like dancing, listening to songs, exercising, looking at my books, spending time alone. Find what works for you. It’s all about the trial and error thing.
- The third thing I want to share is the thought that- Life is too short to take things so seriously that it starts to affect your mental health. Everything pass. Time does not stop for anyone. All you need to do is speak up about how you feel, what it is that’s bothering you. Own yourself. It is a step that takes a lot of strength but do it. Remember that the people who love you and are good for you will always stay by your side no matter what.
One can, of course, do all of this when one wants to improve. But I understand that there are times when all you feel is pain and you see no hope of coming out of this. For such time, I’ll say, let the grief and sadness wash over. Feel whatever it is. Let the tears come. Let the anger come, punch that pillow as hard as you want. Let it all come out. Acknowledge the feeling and then let it go. Take a deep breath, hug yourself. Look at the sky or just simply close your eyes and breath deeply. Be in those moments of silence and rise again.
Remember -
You are loved.
You matter.
You are doing the best you can.
Happy World Mental Health Day, beautiful souls.
