Mental health & me. Why Should I bother?
Why should I bother about my mental health or anyone else’s for that matter? Good question, why should you? It’s not as if you can see the mental side of yourself unlike your physical appearance, where all you need is a mirror. But because of the way we are made, you can’t have one without the other. Like two sides of a coin, physical health on one side, mental health on the other. In fact your mental health plays such a big role that it can affect your physical health.
So why aren’t we as bothered about our mental well-being as much as our physical? Could it be we don’t care? Or maybe we don’t know how to care for that aspect of ourselves?
I can exercise to build muscle or to get toned. I drink water to quench my thirst. I eat (healthy or unhealthy) to give my body the nourishment and energy it needs. But what am I doing for my mind?
Everybody knows the physical changes we go through during adolescence. My oh my how the adults chip in to tell you - what to do, when to do, and how to do. But they are not as loud or vocal about the ‘invisible’ changes going on within us at this crucial period in our lives. The consequences however for not addressing this ‘issue’ extend to adult hood, impairing both our physical and mental health and limiting our opportunities to lead fulfilling adult lives.
According to statistics, 70% of premature deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCD’s) can be linked to behaviors and habits that form during adolescence.
Multiple factors determine mental health outcomes. The more risk factors we are exposed to at a young or early age, the greater the potential impact on our mental health and well-being.
As we grow older, we want to be more independent, make our own decisions and be autonomous, while dealing with pressure to conform to our peers. The increased use of technology and our growing dependence on it plus the influence media has on us, all contribute to the stress during adolescence.
Other important determinants of mental health include the quality of our home life and relationships with peers. Violence (including harsh parenting and bullying), living conditions, stigma, discrimination or exclusion, a lack of access to quality support and services, all have an impact. Children and adolescence are especially vulnerable to sexual violence, and this too negatively affects mental health and well-being.
Life will happen and happens to all of us regardless of race, culture or class. As we grow up, we will all have experiences that affect our mental health positively or negatively. This is why we need to learn and develop skills that will help us cope in the present and in adulthood.
When you are in the gym doing reps to build muscle or increase strength, or you’re meal prepping to eat healthy (taking care of the physical), you should also aim to strengthen your mental health. This means increasing your capacity to regulate your emotions, building resilience to difficult situations and adversities, and developing problem solving skills and interpersonal skills to allow you to live a more wholesome and productive life.
While a lot of young people will suffer in silence or alone, there is help and support available for you.
And that is why you should bother about your mental health, and everyone else’s for that matter. Following three simple steps:
1. Get informed (about mental health-talk to a professional)
2. Get screened (talk to a professional)
3. Get help (talk to a professional).
