Mental Health... What do you know about it??

According to Google, Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make healthy choices.

 

Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Every human being possesses mental health. How you take care of it is what's important.

Alot of people relate mental health to madness or a curse sent to one by their village people and because of this, people don't have discussions relating to mental health often.

The stigma that surrounds it is another reason why people don't talk about it. The awareness level is so low and most people in this part of the world believe talking to a Therapist or a Psychologist is No, No. Marriages crash because visiting a marriage counselor is a bloody waste of time to the average African man or woman, they don't believe in these things.

People are committing suicide on a daily basis because they have bottled up so much and even when they try to talk about their problems, it's either we judge them, rebuke them, don't have their time or don't listen enough to understand them.

 

When a troubled person comes to you, most times they don't need your advice, what  they need is your support and understanding. I work in an organization that creates Mental Health awareness and give Psychosocial support to people with mental health problems, Problems such as Anxiety, Frustration and Depression etc. 

I was excited when I got the job because I have always had interest in giving support to people who are struggling mentally or otherwise. I have learned a lot and I am still learning, and I can't wait to dish out everything I will be impacted with. 

We often times get the "I am fine" from people struggling everyday because we are not really interested in knowing how they are really fairing. It is easy for us to tag people as lazy, unproductive, sadist (you are not always fine), too this, too that, but we don't care to hear them out.

 

It is not easy for a lot of us, no doubt, but at least fair sharing should become a regular habit. You'd be amazed how far talking to someone about your troubles would go. Stop with the conclusive and judgemental attitude, instead, try to listen, keep confidential what people discuss with you in private and be always open to give positive remarks and encouragement. 

Be kind, you never know what your neighbor is going through.

My next post would be on the causes of mental health problems and how they can be improved.