MENTAL ILLNESS: ACHING NEED FOR AWARENESS PART II

One common, yet major disservice we do for the general field of psychology is perceiving mental health and all issues relating to it as strange, far-fetched and extremely abnormal when in actual fact, it is quite the opposite. Psychology, as a field, encapsulates all the psychic activity that goes on in an individual’s mind, and this includes all the processes of thinking, feeling and behaving. 

With great confidence, I can stand for the notion that these processes are commonplace for every well-adjusted, normal person. I mention this as an attempt to put into context the normality and common nature with which we all experience ‘mental health’ and, therefore, in the case one of us does feel a little psychic (or mental) inconvenience or discomfort, there is no reason for them to be shunned.

For explanation purposes, I have always found it appealingly relatable to draw comparisons between mental illness and a physical ailment. The latter will, more often than not, always get the most urgent attention by rather sickening comparison to the other. The argument that medicine and pharmaceutics have developed at a velocity that is unmatched by that of psychology and its applications may stand somewhat, however, it may not be adequate justification. When someone is mentally well adjusted, able to cope with their daily life stressors and their day-to-day psychic processes indicate general well-being, they become a pleasant member of society and someone who oozes general positivity. 

Unrecognisable

Unfortunately, because we live under constant psychological bombardment (stresses from work, family, school, relationships) without ruling out incidences of trauma, all that can change and all the positivity and well adjustment may be quickly replaced by self-doubt, lethargy, disinterest and low self-esteem and almost in an instant, that person becomes unrecognisable from their former self and, hence the onset of a mental disorder.

The point I am attempting to drive across here is hopefully one that will lead you to recognise the vitality and significance of altering our perceptions and stereotypes on mental health. The mind is the hub that controls the manifestations of our thoughts, emotional responses and behaviour which then further determines the nature of our socio-emotional being as individuals as well as our relations with others. 

Therefore, if one suffers from a mind that bears negative thoughts about themselves, negative thoughts about how others feel about them or they experience a traumatising event (rape, for instance comes to mind), their ‘hub’ is constantly sending them these messages of imperfection, which the individual has to cope with every day. This cannot be easy, especially in a society where it is so easy to feel isolated, until they decide they have had enough and decide to end their lives.

 The recently published story by this publication of a tertiary student who took his own life last week was particularly heart wrenching. Made even more sad by the fact that this is hardly an isolated incident and it not only speaks to the general guidance and nurturing need that our youth seem to have a massive hunger for, but also to the need for our friends and family to start doing a little more. 

Key

By that, I mean sometimes someone who has a serious problem or problems may not always tell you everything that is wrong in their lives all in one go, and that is fine. The key is not to dig for more than they are ready to tell while avoiding being labelled, isolating and even sharing their issues with others. 

Mental health issues, like any other form of discomfort and unease, need urgent attention and it is extremely difficult to accomplish that in an environment that passes judgemental, harsh and inconsiderate comments and stereotypes about it which do no help. Instead, be warm and receptive, that works best. Kindly send comments to runsford0505@hmail.com.

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