Nadia Buckus
Today, October 10 marks World Mental Health Day.
Being mentally healthy doesn’t just mean that you don’t have a mental health problem. Some people call mental health ’emotional health’ or ‘well-being’ and it’s just as important as good physical health.
ALSO READ:
BLOG: Understanding mental health – part one
BLOG: Understanding mental health – part two
Mental health is everyone’s business. We all have times when we feel down or stressed or frightened. Most of the times, those feelings pass. But sometimes they develop into a more serious problem and that could happen to any one of us.
Everyone is different.
You may bounce back from a setback while someone else may feel weighed down by it for a long time. Your mental health doesn’t always stay the same. It can change as circumstances change and as you move through different stages of your life.
There’s a stigma attached to mental health problems. This means that people feel uncomfortable about them and don’t talk about them much.
Many people don’t even feel comfortable talking about their feelings. Many people who live with a mental health problem, or are developing one, try to keep their feelings hidden because they are afraid of other people’s reactions. And many people feel troubled without having a diagnosed, or diagnosable, mental health problem – although that doesn’t mean they aren’t struggling to cope with daily life.
NOW READ: BLOG: Are you anxious or worried?
But it’s healthy to know and say how you’re feeling. Do you need urgent help? If your mental or emotional state quickly gets worse, or you’re worried about someone you know.
Remember we here to help. You’re not alone; talk to someone you trust. Sharing a problem is often the first step to recovery.
Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter
