Every time someone is struggling with a mental illness or isn’t feeling well, we always stress how crucial it is to talk to someone to seek care, but we hardly realize that doing so is a basic human necessity rather than a luxury. 

We encourage you to exercise and eat healthy to maintain your physical wellbeing on a daily basis and consider your mental wellbeing with the same importance.

Why do we tend to neglect our mental health needs? 

Many people simply do not understand what mental health is or how to recognize the signs of mental health problems. This lack of knowledge can result in individuals dismissing their own struggles or those of others as simply being “in a bad mood” or “going through a tough time,” rather than recognizing the potential seriousness of the issue.

Recently, many organizations have been trying to raise awareness on the importance of taking care of ourselves mentally as well as physically. However, Our mental and emotional issues are still seen as less valid complaints than physical ones to seek help for or try to discuss it with friends, so many of us bottle up for a long time till it becomes too much to bear it by ourselves.

Another point is that we rarely think that we are humans, built to create communities together which drives us to look for connection with others. In our digital world now; Most of us try to do so through compulsively checking social media over and over again instead of reaching out to people in real world.

Some people also believe that their only way out of their mental struggles is medication, which many times is not the case. The mental care and treatment depend on many factors including the specific diagnosis, individual preferences and the guidance of mental health professionals.

Medication could be an essential component for some conditions; for example Bipolar disorder or Schizophrenia. It can help alleviate the symptoms and create a stable condition for therapy and other interventions. However, medication alone may not treat the root causes of mental health issues or provide the necessary coping mechanisms to manage them.

There are alot of other significant barriers to care more for our mental health. Such as the challenges we face while accessing mental health care. The  Financial situation, limited availability of mental health services, and long waiting times for appointments can discourage us from seeking help. This can be especially problematic in regions with limited mental health resources, leaving many without the support they need. It’s worth mentioning here, the past negative experiences with mental health professionals or treatments that some might have faced, which can lead to a reluctance to seek help again.

Recognizing the reasons we neglect our mental health can be a kick start to improve our mental care and foster a society where everyone feels comfortable talking about their struggles and seeking help for their mental health concerns without fear or shame.

It’s also crucial to acknowledge that mental health treatment is highly individualized. What works best for one person may not be the right approach for another. That’s why it’s essential for individuals to work closely with mental health professionals to develop a personalized treatment plan that aligns with their specific needs and preferences. This might include a combination of therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and other interventions tailored to their unique circumstances.

Finally, as this month is mental health awareness month and going back to our title; beyond the absence of mental health conditions; let’s take this chance to try and do self care activities throughout this month. I understand that taking care of our mental wellbeing can be challenging and the starting point is not usually clear. So just remember; it’s essential to prioritize what feels comfortable for you and personalize your approach. Progress always varies from someone to another so make it your own way as the path is never linear and some days will surely be better than others.

I hope we all can at least try to be kind and compassionate towards ourselves as much as we can.

Prepared by YouthPrint ESC Volunteer: Dina Z. Ahmed