There is concern about the lack of momentum surrounding mental health, especially in the context of the current mental health crisis. For those who work in mental health, it can be disheartening to observe mental health, when there is little interest and engagement. It is important to remember that increasing awareness and understanding around mental health takes consistent effort and time.
Limited engagement around mental health
There are numerous reasons for limited engagement around mental health, based around fear and the lack of recognition that we are dealing with mental health. But by consistently making an effort and sharing personal experiences and resources, you contribute to the gradual shift in attitudes towards mental health and help create a safer environment for open discussions to take place.
Change happens progressively
For many, change happens progressively, so it is important to persevere, to continue to promote self-care and mental health awareness. Although my writing continues to help me, I never know who might be benefiting from my words or finding comfort in my content.
It is important to recognise that a mental health crisis is not a problem that can be solved overnight. It requires a sustained effort, both at individual and societal level, to address the root causes of mental health challenges and provide adequate support and resources for individuals who are struggling. We need to be instrumental in mental health.
Conclusion
It is crucial to remember that mental health awareness and action require consistent effort and time. Even in the face of limited engagement or disinterest, with efforts we can all make a difference. By continuing to promote self-care and mental health awareness, we can contribute to a shift in attitudes and create a safer environment for open discussions to take place.
As for me, I will continue to write with the hope that my words bring comfort to those in need.
I wonder if the reason for the lack of engagement and/or momentum is that mental health is not visible, not tangible. People hide it away and pretend they’re okay when they’re not.
Because of the stigma attached to it, it’s hard to admit that you’re suffering. Also, the feelings vary widely and fluctuate. That is certainly the case for me.
I can sometimes ’feel’ a type of anxiety or depression coming and I push it away. I also tell myself that my issues don’t ‘warrant’ those feelings.
Some people are dealing with much greater issues, I tell myself, so I am guilty of hiding it too.
Hi Arthur and welcome to the site. It's a bit of everything, you're right, but mental health isn't popular or fashionable.
In people's minds it's probably also too difficult to deal with. It's one of those things you put off and put off, until such a time how you feel begins to impact your ability to cope with every day life.
The UK got Brexit done and that has impacted many people, many families, then the pandemic hit globally and collectively we struggled to cope. You would think also, given the world is dealing with a pandemic and with mental health more affected, there would be less of a stigma, because mental health has become more common place.
Also, mental health runs in families, so if your father and mother dealt with anxiety or depression, you can be affected too.
I once read somewhere by a renowned psychologist that disease, which means ill-at-ease, wouldn't be a thing, if we dealt with our issues, with mental health.
I'm not free of mental health problems. It's why I started to explore my own mental health through my blog and it's why I am a mental health advocate, why I continue to talk about mental health on my blog and through social media, hoping it catches on.
Thanks. 😊 The family and the disease connections are two interesting facts I didn’t know.
You're welcome. Sadly, this is common. Depression can run in families, but that doesn't always mean you're guaranteed to have it.
According to Psyche Central, if there is depression in the family, you have a 30% chance of developing it, compared to around 10% in the general population.
Well, I don’t know if it ran in the family, but then you may not know. If there’s still stigma attached to it now, in my parents’ time I imagine it was never mentioned and certainly not in front of your children.
Thanks for those replies.
You're welcome. Yes, it runs in families, but you raise a good point about parents. Not all parents talk to their children about their mental health. but if your child deals with mental health, as parents it is important to come clean on mental health, if it's something you struggle with.
There is stigma out there, but it's a societal thing. It doesn't have to be. Mental health should be the norm. We all have something to deal with.
I think it’s important to talk about their mental health too as well as your own and encourage them to open up to their friends, thus it would gradually become the ‘norm’.
A friend of one of my son’s committed suicide at 14. The parents were left wracked with guilt that they didn’t see signs. I often tell my boys to talk to me about anything.
I was concerned with the younger one through our divorce, but he seems okay. I am less forthcoming though as your dad is your hero, indefatigable and unbreakable, an image you’re loathe to break, although I’m sure they’d respect you for it.
So sorry to hear. You're absolutely right. I think society needs to change its attitude towards mental health. We still have a long way to go, but we have made a start.
There is a struggle in us all. We're human after all. But if more of us opened up and talked about things, there would be less of a stigma attached to mental health.
Society generally bottles things up. But as we have learned to bottle things up, we can unlearn also. It is important to talk.
As I continue to talk through my blog, I hope more people will learn that it is okay to open up, to talk about things.