Mental health

It’s been a while I dropped something here, not for the loss of idea but lack of time but it’s for a good course. I saw a movie yesterday titled “The Fallout” and it’s all about a shootout in a high school, the trauma the students who were lucky to be in a  safe place while the shootout was on. The way people tend to lie to themselves- saying they are “okay” when they aren’t.

Mental health is often neglected in schools, homes and offices. This can be seen as a result of the stigma attached to mental health conditions. Stigma exists when there is a negative belief that is often spread by society and endorsed by culture, this could be through advertisements, books poetry etc. The stigma leads to people going undiagnosed with mental health conditions, the stigma then causes people to feel ashamed, isolated and not want to reach out for help.

The way people laugh when they are told a certain person is feeling depressed, the way we ignore mental health in this part of the world is an eyesore. Negative images in advertising can make people who are struggling with their mental health feel bad about themselves, which can then lead to a person not taking care of themselves or seeking help. Also, these images can have a huge impact on societal expectations, in which if someone does not meet these expectations in life then they may be seen as failures or weak.

The pressure on we students is much, call our generation Lazy or names. We might not be as strong as the older generation but what we are exposed to each day is different from what they faced. It’s easier to turn into a drug addict or sex addict in this present day than how it was years back. The Internet and society expose us to all these every day. We see successful people and wonder why our own life is different. Depression sets in and we take solace in drugs.

Depression is real and I think it's about time we give it much attention.

Depression is a real mental illness. It's not something that people can just snap out of and it's not something to be ashamed of. But those with depression may feel like they're the only ones who have it, because of the stigma attached to mental illness. Which makes it harder to address.

I don’t care about being called rude but we are all human beings who have a heart. We don’t have to put up a fake smile and please everyone. When you feel like crying doesn’t hold it in and try to be strong, you can cry and let it out. Just know that there are so many people out there who are also sad or depressed, and they don’t want others to see that. They don’t want others to be worried or feel bad for them. so when you feel down, let it out, let the tears flow, accept that you are strong enough to get through anything life brings your way. If you don’t know who to talk to or if you don’t have anyone to talk to then go talk with someone who you do trust. I promise you there is someone out there who does care about how you feel and they will listen.

The first step in solving the stigma is erasing the shame.

When you find someone opening up about depression, support them and help them find help.

The key to living a mentally healthy life is to take advantage of the resources that are available to you. Here are a few ways you can start on your way to a more steady mind and body.

Wake up. Set an alarm that isn't your phone. This way, when your alarm goes off in the morning, you won't have to reach for your phone to shut it off. If you can get into the habit of doing this, it will be a great way to start the day. It will give your mind less time to run away with thoughts and feelings of negativity, which will make it easier to start the day happy and productive.

Before bed. Take five minutes before bed to sit quietly, close your eyes and take deep breaths. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth until you feel your body relax and any tension has left you.

Meditating isn't complicated. With time you will get better. To every young adult out there, remember you’re loved. You are not in this alone, as we navigate this journey of life, let’s live with the aim of impacting the life of others.

Thanks for Reading! 🧠💚🧠