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Σάββατο, 5 Οκτωβρίου, 2024
ΑρχικήEnglish Edition"It is okay to not be okay": On the International Mental Health...

“It is okay to not be okay”: On the International Mental Health Day


By Despoina Herouvim,

Mental health is as important as physical health, yet unfortunately, many people are still not paying enough attention to it and they consider it an inappropriate topic of conversation. In the United States alone though, one in five adults is dealing with a mental health illness. That is nearly 52 million people, which is absolutely insane when you think more about it.

Mental health affects every single aspect of our lives and now in 2022, after living through the pandemic of COVID-19 and the quarantines, our attention to each other’s mental health is more crucial than ever. With the pandemic, our whole attention was instantly focused on our physical health as we were flooded with fear and worry for the unknown and let us be real, for death. This meant though that our conversation about mental health has become even more silent than it was. It has never been as public as it should have been. It is high time that it became our most talked-about topic of conversation because the situation is out of hand. Too many people are suffering in silence. They are afraid to speak and they do not get the treatment they need in order to get better. Despite reaching the end of 2022, many people still feel uncomfortable talking about this matter and seeking help when necessary because of the stigma surrounding it. We need to destigmatize mental illness and start showing support for all of those “fighting” around us.

Image source: memoriesandsuch.com

Mental health awareness is essential and very crucial in order to understand your symptoms whether you are struggling with your mental health or your loved ones are suffering in silence. A diagnosis and professional help from an expert will help those people feel validated and less alone. Of course, when you are aware of your condition, it is easier to get the necessary treatment. Therefore you need to pay close attention to your symptoms in order to understand what is going on. Talking about what is going on in your head and about your feelings can be quite therapeutic. Having a support network around you and speaking about your problems will immensely help improve your mental health. It is finally time to stop talking about mental health like it is a stigmatized topic of conversation, only spoken between whispers. Everyone has finally got to understand the huge impact mental health has on daily life. When the people in your life start prioritizing mental health care, it makes your life so much easier as you will take better care of yourself. If we continue being quiet about it, it will continue to be considered stigmatized and we certainly do not want that.

All of us need to start speaking up for ourselves and take as much time as we need for our mental well-being. We need to learn more about it and keep a watchful eye on ourselves and on our loved ones. In recent years suicide has been on the rise and it is suggested that it is one of the top three causes of death in the United States. Every single suicide is a tragedy and the only words I can think of to describe this is devastating not only for the people that were left behind but most importantly for the people that felt so alone and so hopeless that they could not bear to live anymore and that is simply heartbreaking.

Image source: theonlineclario.com

We have certainly been a lot through these past few years and our mental health has been on the line. What came as the effects of the pandemic of COVID-19, like the vaccinations, all the quarantines, working or attending classes from home, the lack of social interaction, and the fear of the unknown and of death really disrupted our mental health. Many mental disorders came forward like depression, anxiety, personality or mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, and of course eating disorders. If you are diagnosed with one of these disorders, remember that you are not alone. It is important to remain hopeful and to find things to be grateful for. Eating healthy and exercising can also be quite beneficial while also trying to remain creative and occupy yourself with activities you love.

It is time to make your mental health a priority. It is time to invest in your mental health. Do not lose hope, because there is hope even when your brain tells you there is not. Keep on fighting because you are not alone in this. You will get through whatever troubles you and makes your life difficult, as long as you keep holding on. And just remember. It does get better and it will be proven that you are stronger than your anxiety and depressing thoughts make you think you are.


References
  • Mental health awareness: The importance of conversation, buttercup.com, Available here
  • Shining a Light on Mental Health Awareness Month, bamboohealth.com, Available here
  • Take Care of Yourself: May is Mental Health Awareness Month, leehealth.org, Available here

 

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Despoina Herouvim
Despoina Herouvim
Born in 2001 in Athens, she studies English Language and Literature at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She learns Spanish in her spare time and loves reading literature, going to the theater and the cinema, and listening to music.