Mental Health Is Not A Request, It Is A Demand

As a practitioner, one of my main areas of focus and study has been and is Mental Health. This is “a person’s condition about their psychological and emotional well-being.”

Psychology of Mental Health

Psychological is a person’s mental state, whereas Emotional is directly correlated to one’s feelings.

There’s a significant difference between learning or reading about something like Mental Health via literature as opposed to actually enduring concerns or issues of your own; so that is what I believe makes my perception well-rounded as well as unique because even just in recent months, things seemed so daunting that there were moments I wasn’t sure I’d make it to writing this today.

This is why I’ve become dedicated to my work revolving around empowering others and equipping them with different approaches and strategies they can utilize instead of waiting on an appointment or prescription elsewhere.

This is not suggesting that other modalities aren’t or cannot be helpful in the pursuit of improved quality of life. Still, it is not the entire picture, and without our inner work, we leave behind perhaps the essential aspect: ensuring that regardless of the help available elsewhere,  healing remains incomplete.

Demand Mental healthcare

Throughout many years does not suggest that other modalities aren’t or cannot help pursue entering these depths both as part of my journey as well as alongside colleagues in this field, two truths continually arise:

The importance of breathing at any given time, but perhaps especially during moments of crisis...

I’m a massive advocate for meaningful breathing, which to me isn’t the same as it might have been presented to you or how you’ve encountered it in the past-  many of us have been told to take a deep breath which depending on our mind-state, can translate a bit condescending but a deep breath won’t suddenly absolve us from our problems, and all will be right in the world–  instead, it could be reflected upon as an inside security system.

Things go haywire within us regularly; there’s no shortage of threats throughout our world or everyday life,  whether this be actual hindrances to our literal safety or perhaps harm caused by assumptions, anxiety, worry, or living too much in the past that has already come and gone or the future that has yet to arrive…

This can lead us to exist in a state that’s referred to as fight or flight, which takes a severe toll on our overall nervous system, especially over time-  many of us have spent a large portion of our lives under this scrutiny, maybe without even being conscious of or realizing it- that in itself can cause health concerns let alone worsen the ones we might already have.  One of the quickest, most affordable, and most effective ways to alleviate this is through conscious breathing.

A recurring theme I’ve encountered is the suggestion to ask for help which I wholeheartedly agree is essential.

However, I also find it interesting how those who reach out for support often regret it.

I go to a therapist if I’m privileged enough to have that option, and I convey to them that I’m having thoughts that make it difficult to carry on.  Maybe I’ve been through a lot, it has all become what feels like too much to bear, and I feel as though I might not want to continue carrying on in this life.

Hopefully, after simply expressing these thoughts-  there’s a weight lifted, and just having that safe space where I’m not supposed to be judged is enough to improve my state of mind, but regrettably, something I’ve witnessed many times.

It is we are somewhat judged, and a person’s entire life can be altered in many ways by conveying thoughts such as these – our files can end up flagged, there are specific ‘lists’ we can be on, this can impact job opportunities in the future, etc. so although the concept of seeking help is a valuable one–  some of us have found that pursuit ends up making things harder for us in the long run which I feel as though is unacceptable.

Wrap-up 

Of course, there are measures to keep people from harming themselves or others, but what about the stigma and the lasting effects these sorts of things can have on a person for their lifetime?

 We can thank COVID-19 and all that came along with it, like quarantine, for the fact that on a global scale, we now have an even greater comprehension as to a reality where Mental Health not only exists but is essential–  it’s arguable that we are still and shall continue bouncing back from the toll that experience has taken on each of us in our own-  another thing the pandemic shined a light on is the complete and utter lack in Mental Health related resources we have, despite a growing need for them.

This is partly what I find so fascinating about our culture and society in the United States – disregard of the data that exists, in demonstration Numbers are rising as it pertains to those in need of help, and the rate we are losing people who are unable to get it yet there remain countless barriers to adequate care as well as obscure avoidance in the devotion of funds to make these things not only accessible but tangible.

Thank you for reading!