I had started this blog site stating that I would talk about what psychological well being meant along with the associated stigma and the causes thereof. So, here goes. Psychological well being refers to an overall positive outlook towards life, which either results from or results in positive relationships with the people around, increased productivity and an overall sense of contentment. I know that I have been inconsistent with the frequency at which I upload my articles but the irony here is that these time gaps have helped me realise the importance of psychological well-being a little more than before. And what I learnt is that psychological well being has a huge impact on creativity and overall productivity.
So, how would you know if the way you feel is well enough? A simple way to figure it out is through introspection and acceptance. Introspection would mean trying to be aware of all the thoughts that come to your head and the emotions that those thoughts evoke. It helps us become more in tune with ourselves. Acceptance simply means accepting these thoughts the way they are without trying to associate positive or negative judgements with them. This results in a sense of overall contentment with your present mental state. However, if you feel uncomfortable while trying to get in tune with the thoughts or if these thoughts overwhelm you, you might want to pay closer attention to them.
More often than not, as we go through life, we don’t take the time to stop and check in with ourselves. Introspection and acceptance are not as easily done as easily as it is said. There are times when intrusive thoughts may get in the way causing us to be more judgemental of ourselves and our actions. It is important to remember that the simplest way to be psychologically healthy is to not be too harsh on ourselves. More often than not we end up blaming the world for the way we treat ourselves which further makes us uncomfortable.
Over the past years, there has been a stigma surrounding mental well-being. Not everyone who is mentally unwell is insane. People tend to base their stigma on ignorance and fear of the unknown. Since the mind and its many complexities have only recently been brought into the academic fields for study and analysis, a lot of the fear arises from the inability to understand. For years, people with psychological disorders have been labelled “crazy” and treated as outcasts which have not only made it difficult for persons with the disorder to live a healthy life but also made them feel guilty for suffering. Today, we’re in the 21st century and stigma around mental health issues still exists in many places that make acknowledging the presence of mental illness and the willingness to seek help seem “weak” or “shameful”.
Just like it is okay for us to be physically unwell from time to time and to go see a doctor when home remedies stop working, it is okay to be mentally unwell and to go see a mental health professional when coping with our mental health problems become a little difficult to deal with on our own. There is no shame in having a mental illness just as there is no shame in having a physical illness. At the same time, it is important to remember that mental health problems are not made up as an act for gaining sympathy or attention in general. These problems are as real as our physical health problems and the good news here is that treatment and help are available to all those who are willing to make use of them.
Be kind; it does save lives.
Mind it?! 