Breaking the Taboo: The Urgent Need to Change our Attitude Towards Mental Health"

We all go through both good and bad seasons in life; it’s a journey along rocky roads. Humans are social and emotional beings, and it's time we work on building an effective support system.

Yesterday was World Mental Health Day, and I watched the World Health Organization’s animated video on suicide prevention. To be honest, it's frustrating. We are living in one of the most advanced periods in history. Technology and medicine have made incredible progress, hospitals are at a whole new level, and even fitness awareness is on the rise. Yet, mental health issues continue to increase. According to the WHO, every 40 seconds, someone loses their life to suicide. If we start truly caring for and listening to others, we could potentially save many lives.

Check out the World Health Organization’s suicide prevention campaign video linked below.

 

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It's high time we consider mental health an important aspect of our lives. There is nothing wrong with not being able to figure out your way around, getting caught up in toxic relationships, or simply needing someone to hear us and help us a little bit. It's human; it happens. Nobody is immune to it. As the Joker once said, "All it takes is one bad day to make the sanest man go mad." Albeit a fictional quote, there is some truth to that.

Our unhealthy, materialistic lifestyle and attitude know no bounds. We always need more or something better, and we even move things around us to make that happen. There's a constant fight for approval, to be the most powerful in the room, in the race, in society, or in the world. In the end, does it really matter? We take nothing with us when we leave, not even our last shirt.

When we get caught up in emotional and physical turmoil, we definitely need someone to talk to or help us understand human emotions scientifically. Every human brain and experience are unique, even among those born in the same family. Hence, there is no general solution for everyone. It's important to understand your emotional fitness level and how to deal with it so you can be at one with yourself—or at least finish that last shift before completely losing your mind.

When we have a headache or an allergy, we go to a doctor. Many times, it could be emotional stress taking physical form, which you won’t mention and most likely you won't know, and even the doctor might not know. This can result in treating a disease you don’t even have, creating a whole other problem.

With our busy lifestyles, we often neglect proper eating and sleeping habits, overwork, lack time for fitness, and sometimes engage in substance abuse—all of which create immense pressure on our minds and bodies. Unhealthy minds lead to unhealthy bodies.

So WAKE UP. Take a look inward and watch yourself. It's important to understand your emotions before focusing on where others are going wrong, how situations are messed up, and so on. If you really need help and are confused, go to a professional—there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.

Our brain is the main server of our body and the primary source of our emotions. It’s crucial to take care of and understand its functions. If you have all the riches in the world but lack control over your mind and body, what is the point?

Getting mental health support is the best thing you can do for yourself. We all need it, at one time or another, in one way or another. We need to change our view and attitude about mental health. To avoid violence, suicide, crime, and most human atrocities, this is the only way. We are human; we are emotional beings, and we need to start helping and hearing our fellow people.