Today is World Mental Health Day!

Mental health is such a cliche word & so much confusion around it, no wonder there’s so much stigma attached to it! This explains why less than 40% of people who struggle with mental health seeks help.

Just as physical illness, mental illness also has its roots in biological, psychological, social, & spiritual makeup of an individual. The only difference that makes it so difficult to understand or seek help is that the symptoms of mental illness are mostly behavioral. Therefore, people struggling with mental illness either get unnoticed or labeled as a “troublemaker” or “weird”, in worse cases, become violent or reasons for family violence or unhappiness.

More than 60% of youth age 17 & younger have been exposed to crime, violence & abuse, either directly or indirectly by their family members (who might also be struggling with mental illness) or community at large.

Being exposed to adverse life experiences (aka Trauma) increases our vulnerability to struggle with mental health issues. The adverse life experiences could be emotional or physical, & the impact of such experiences are unique to individual’s bio-psycho-socio-spiritual makeup.

Physical adverse life experiences could be accidents, natural disasters, physical illness, violence etc.

Emotional or Psychological adverse life experiences could be relational trauma caused by immediate family ( mostly unintentionally), community trauma caused by societies inequality regarding ablism (such as race, gender identity).

So why am I talking about trauma? Because, People who have experienced trauma are 15 times likely to attempt suicide, 4 times more likely to become an alcoholic, & 2.5 times more unlikely to smoke.

So what does Trauma symptoms look like? (aka mental illness or mental health issues)?

– Having frequent outbursts or getting angry when a plan/idea doesn’t go as planned
– Feeling disconnected or anxious even while holding partners hands in a romantic place/moment
– Shutting down or avoiding to-do list when stressed
– Sabotaging one’s own relationships or looking for fault with every seemingly good person
– Self criticism, even in the moment of great success
– Feeling waves of depression or shame or rejection even after a fabulous sexual encounter
– A constant feeling of emptiness or sadness
– Trouble forming relationships
– Constant agitation or on guard
– Impulsive behavior or difficulty with memories or focusing
– Feeling “less than”

Please know that this is not the exhaustive list but If you relate to any of these symptoms, you might benefit from a consultation with a mental health professional.

May you find joy in life & live a prosperous healthy life 🙏🏼☮️❤️