We are all familiar with the term TLC, as in tender loving care. This world needs far more of that attitude and behaviour. We are all too conscious of the wars, crime, greed, hatred, and corruption that we see and hear about every day. But unfortunately, many of us experience those same conditions in our own homes. And they affect us deeply. They are a cause of stress, depression, anxiety and mental ill-health.
According to a recent study, 27% of adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa will be living with depression, 30% with anxiety and 41% with emotional or behavioural problems at any given time. In our country, it was reported in 2019 that the treatment gap of those with all mental health conditions was up to 92%. Major contributors to this high level of mental ill-health are poverty, exposure to violence, adverse childhood experiences, widespread substance abuse, and breakdown in family and social support structures.
The original design for babies was to be born into loving and supportive families, where they could have their emotional love tanks filled, providing the resources to face a hostile world. Unfortunately, many children grow up in dysfunctional families, perpetuating the cycle with their offspring. You and I can be agents for change. We can advocate for safe places for children to play, for ethical school environments, for safer communities, and for social support for the isolated and lonely.
But there is also another meaning for TLC – therapeutic lifestyle changes – which can profoundly affect mental health. Australian psychiatrist, Professor Roger Walsh identified eight interventions: regular physical activity or exercise, healthful nutrition, time in nature, wholesome relationships, recreation through play and activity, relaxation and stress management, religious or spiritual involvement, and service to others.
Psychiatrists and psychologists are realising the power of TLC in the management of mental ill-health. Modern psychiatric conferences include lectures and workshops on incorporating TLC into clinical practice. The next time you see your GP or psychiatrist for a mental health check-up, especially during Mental Health Awareness Month of July, insist on practical information on TLC interventions.
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