UNMASKING MENTAL HEALTH

The unrelenting fickle season we find ourselves in sees many trying to stay dry in the middle of rainfall.
It is no coincidence that mental health and suicide prevention are now among the top topics everywhere.
Mental health had in the past often been a topic spoken in hushed tones. But it is time that it is unmasked or rather its benefits laid bare so we can continue have a more productive society. Suffering behind masks pretending all is well, when it is not, is counterproductive.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), mental wellness is defined as ‘a state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.’

work productively
I love the last line that speaks to helping people to be able to work productively and make a contribution to our communities. Productivity is essential.
It is also quite counterproductive, that in the most depressing season we have experienced in most recent times, comedy shows are currently not allowed.  We sometimes need a good chuckle and forget the stark reality that is before us.  Hence if you notice, memes are quite the optimal form of escapism for many who need some cheering up. I love memes as well. They juxtapose reality with some humour. It is often said that if you can find something to laugh about in your worst moments, you are halfway to healing.
A gentleman shared with me this week that he came across a group of men carrying letters of job termination at an eatery. He said the guys seemed jolly and wore broad smiles as they tried to make sense of their future without the once guaranteed pay-cheques. He says his heart sank and he shudders to think how they are coping now that the contents of the letters have sank in.

mental health
This then brings to the fore the importance of mental health. It has never been a more important discussion in any point in history than it is now. Last week on September 10, the World celebrated Word Suicide Prevention Day. One of the local NGOs Kwakha Indvodza carried a live online discussion on the issue as well as delving deeper into mental health. At the time of typing this feature it was the most viewed discussion they had hosted to date with almost 7 000 people tuning in, in search for answers. The number of views surpassed even discussions on business or opportunities. What it said is that people are interested in mental health issues.

cannot discuss it
But sadly they cannot discuss it with their peers. Some view having mental or emotional issues as a sign of weakness, so they prefer to be strong when that wears them down even more. I am not an expert on this topic, nor do I aspire to be one, but I am intrigued and appreciate the importance mental wellness plays in society.
Good mental health is related to mental and psychological wellbeing. Thankfully organisations like WHO work to improve the mental health of individuals and society at large and this includes the promotion of mental well-being, the prevention of mental disorders, the protection of human rights and the care of people affected by mental disorders.
Sadly if unchecked a lack of good mental health can lead to suicide. According to WHO, close to 800 000 people die due to suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds. The organisation states that suicide is a global phenomenon and occurs throughout the lifespan. Thanfully the experts note that effective and evidence-based interventions can be implemented at population, sub-population and individual levels to prevent suicide and suicide attempts.
Watching one of my favourite public speakers and authors Steven Furtick recently hosting Dr Caroline Leaf, a Communication Pathologist and Cognitive Neuroscientist, on a topic called Detoxing the Mind, I got a bit of insight at the individual responsibility that we also have on staying mentally healthy.

mental strength
She spoke about how talking about our problems weakens their power over us and also gives us mental strength to overcome them. There has never been a more important time for us to talk more than now. Thankfully we are also audible even through the masks. So we can still talk to others, one metre away, about what is bothering us.
I believe that just being available to listen to others is also playing a key role in preventing suicides. Dr Leaf agrees in a recent tweet she shared, “Too often it seems we get stuck on the idea that we have to understand in order to empathise or help. This is problematic because we never will truly understand or know what someone is going through or feeling. Rather, let’s normalise just being present and loving no matter the level of understanding or knowing.”
So let us not make mental health issues alien, lets feel free to discuss them and also confront anything that is perturbing us before it gets the best of us. And yes eventually let us also get back those comedy shows because they too are essential to bringing some sunshine in the midst of the cloudy days. We will stay dry in the rain by pulling out umbrellas for others as Dr Leaf says, be present with an ear. That is all most people need really.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: