Why is talking about mental health such a big taboo?

When one does not feel fit, everything around seems dull and lifeless! The earth stops spinning so to speak and yet we have a problem to talk about the mental state of being! Strange as it may sound but talking about mental health is still a taboo! And it is time to break the shackles and talk about it.

We all agree and accept that when you are not feeling in the zone, you tend to turn normal thoughts into negative ones and life is a downward spiral from there onwards. And yet we shy away from accepting it and consequently seeking help for it.

Why is Mental Health important?

Just like our physical well being affects our daily action, being well mentally drives the entire machine (even the physical aspect of your being). Brain is the controller and thus it affects our thinking and every day action, if it is not functioning properly. Emotions, actions, mood and behavior are all governed by it. When you are mentally fit, you can explore creativity, enjoy being yourself and take pleasure in everything around you, be it your surroundings, environment or simply people around you.

Nurturing your mental health has a positive impact on your physical health too. For me personally, I have seen: When I am feeling low and down, my immune system takes a hit and my skin starts to look dull. Whereas when I am happy, even being tired, I have a glow on my face.

Physical wellbeing is equally important and being slightly unwell will have an impact on mental wellbeing. If someone is suffering from high blood pressure, it may lead to anxiety. For the entire body mechanic to work properly all the aspects should work properly to make a sweet run of life.

Why don’t we talk about it?

In 2012 10.1% of the Canadian population identified as having symptoms that are congruent with mental disorders.  Mental illness is a broad term that includes anxiety, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, depression, anorexia and other eating disorders. It is quite common and yet we stay mum about it. Seeking help from a counselor or a psychiatrist is still frowned upon. Many of us suffer silently and sometimes do not even get diagnosed.

1.       Ignorance is not always a bliss

It is a human tendency to fear the unknown. Mental illness is just that- illness!

Like Arthritis, diabetes or even a common flu, it is when the body system does not work that causes a bit of malfunction. Attaching a social stigma to it is what adds all that prejudice. Some of the illness is due to some trauma or even genetic, but in no way, it should be frowned upon. Accepting it and not ignoring is the initial step.

2.       Prejudice leads to discrimination

Mental illness leads to a lot of misunderstanding that creates prejudice. Even the caregivers are often at the receiving end of this misunderstanding. Due to which they are often subjected to discrimination. There is nothing to be alarmed about mental unwellness. So why differentiate between God’s creation. There should never be any discrimination period!

3.       Ill treatment hinders the treatment

All that social stigma and prejudice harms the treatment of the person involved. In some cases, it might even worsen the condition. Part of the counselling session in regards to mental wellbeing is to accept oneself. Accepting is a big challenge when the one going through sees so much anger around them, they tend to go back into their shell and in order to become a part of the socially acceptable group go at great lengths to hide it. Due to social stigma a majority of people suffering from depression and anxiety fail to seek help.

4.       Educate yourself and Pass on the facts

What we all can do in order to reduce the stigma is to equip ourselves with factual knowledge. Remove the cobwebs from our mind and then move ahead to spreading the facts. Accepting is a huge step in dealing with mental illness, whether it is you facing it or someone you know. Treat everyone with regards and dignity, you do not know who is facing what sort of demons.

Help is always around! Be brave enough to seek it. Equip yourself of all the correct knowledge, there is nothing to be ashamed of. Be supportive of the person facing the mental issues or if you are the one going through a tough time it is always great to talk to someone.