WHY DO WE EVEN TALK MENTAL HEALTH??!

My dearest #MentalMonday❤️🧠 reader…..I hope August was kind to you. If not, I hope and trust there were beautiful lessons to be learnt and we did not let the disappointment cloud us from seeing these lessons. And on that note, may i also say Happy new month, happy Spring time. This new season got me thinking…when the earth sneezes, we get a cold, when the earth smiles from the clouds we get warmth and for most, an elevated mood. And when the earth cries, we get food , beauty from the flowers and water which neither the plant nor animal kingdom would ever do without. Now dearest reader, my question for you this Monday is, when we cry, what ripple effect is found? When our mental health buckets spill over, do we make any gains from this predicament? Do we pay heed to the gentle whispers and breeze that beckons us to pause, reflect and offload?

Recently, the dialogue surrounding mental health has blossomed, akin to a garden awakening in the spring. No longer shrouded in the shadows of stigma and misunderstanding, conversations about mental well-being are now embraced with open hearts and minds. This shift towards openness is imperative, for it allows individuals to share their struggles and triumphs, fostering a sense of community and belonging. While stigma, like a dense fog, can make uncertain the path to understanding and healing its role in mental health cannot be ignored. By engaging in candid discussions about mental health, we can dissipate this fog, illuminating the realities faced by many. When we speak openly, we dismantle the barriers that confine us, allowing empathy and support to flourish. Each conversation acts as a gentle breeze, carrying away the weight of shame and fear, and replacing it with hope and solidarity.

At its core, talking about mental health is an invitation to connect. It is a reminder that we are not solitary beings, but rather part of a vast and intricate web of humanity. Sharing our experiences creates bonds, fostering a sense of belonging that is essential for emotional well-being. In these exchanges, we find solace, understanding, and the assurance that we are not alone in our struggles. One of my favourite analogies is to say that our mental health bucket can be likened to a laundry basket. If carelessly tackled, the laundry basket will spill over. However, if the laundry is unpacked and is neatly folded, the very same clothes will fit in well and the basket will not spill over. This analogy is a lesson for us that our mind also gets overwhelmed and we need to cry out, unpack our issues so our minds are at rest. 

Discussing mental health is not merely an act of sharing; it is a powerful tool for cultivating resilience. By acknowledging our challenges, we equip ourselves with the knowledge and strategies to navigate life’s storms. Conversations can unveil coping mechanisms, inspire positive change, and empower individuals to take charge of their mental wellness. In this way, dialogue becomes a catalyst for growth, enabling us to flourish even in adversity. 

As we stand at the starting line of change, let us embrace the responsibility to talk about mental health. As we celebrate Spring, embracing nature’s rebirth and recreation, let us also participate in seeing through a new dawn in Mental health. Let us create spaces where vulnerability is celebrated, where voices are heard, and where understanding reigns supreme. Together, we can foster an environment that nurtures mental well-being, transforming pain into purpose and isolation into connection.

Let me close today’s piece by stating that the importance of discussing mental health cannot be overstated. It is a vital conversation that enriches our lives, strengthens our communities, and ultimately, paves the way for a brighter, more compassionate future. In one of my optical journeys, I stumbled upon the lines that said, you should dance with your skeletons, learn their names, so you can ask them to leave. But don’t just stop there, have coffee with them so they can tell you what keeps them around, which doors they always find open.  Let us nurture these Mental health dialogues, allowing them to bloom and thrive, for in every shared word lies the potential for healing and hope, Because#Mentalhealthmatters❤️🧠