We had a bit of a discussion in our residents group and mental health was touched. I realised that mental health is still being viewed by many people as an option of choice.
Although I believe in the power of self-development and self-determination it still doesn’t rule out the possibility of getting deeply affected by what life throws at us. For example a loved one is supposed to arrive at a certain place and time and isn’t there. From happy anticipation we are thrown into more worry depending on what unfolds. Reading a book such as “How to stop worrying and start living” by Dale Carnegie may help habitual worriers to find a countermeasure.
Stress erodes us in a variety of ways. For example we live in unprecedented times where everything we took for granted is taken away – even if it seems to be for the greater good. My 14-year old daughter not only worries about the health of the planet and what future her generation has in the face of what they inherit from us but she has been cut off her friends for months at the time. Reading bad news combined with social isolation may throw a young person into a downward spiral. “Overcoming Turbulent Times: Teenage Angst” addresses the manyfold issues of teenagers in the modern world. Changing the focus from bad to good and empowering news may also help. She does that already and has been telling me about the inspiring teenager whose courage and passion has given hope and made an impact on young people all over the world, the climate activist Greta Thunberg.
The group, however, that is under the biggest pressure are men, who have traditional values imposed on them that often don’t allow them to seek help in time. Healthline devotes a whole article on Why Many Men Have a Harder Time Seeking Treatment for Mental Illness. The article not only explores the reasons for the stigmatisation but also offers sensible advice and contact-options for those who are affected. Sangu Delle is a man who needed to overcome the prejudice of his society to mental health and talked about his anxieties to the world in a TED-talk. The first step to help someone with a mental-health-issue may be to aid them in accessing information that may support them and make them feel heard.
Here are some links that may be helpful and may be used by anyone young, older or old – don’t wait, ask for help!
- MENTAL HEALTH HELPLINES AND RESOURCES (Malaysia)
- Mental health helplines (Australia)
- Mental Health America
Written by Monika Ramasamy, 8.12.2020
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