We live in a society where the importance of mental health isn't given enough recognition. Lots of people claim to be all about mental health but in reality, it's highly neglected. Often times on the internet, we see posts like "I'll always be here if you need someone to talk to", "Be brave and speak up", "Suicide isn't an option", "Talk about it before it is too late", etc. People make it look so easy but let's face the fact.. opening up isn't as easy as it seems. Especially when the society always has a way of discriminating people with mental illnesses. They either make you feel as though you're an attention seeker, you're not important or you don't deserve to be loved. Occurrences like these makes it hard for people who are mentally unstable to speak up. Fear of mockery, being ignored, discrimination and stigmatization make people create an invisible shell where they crawl into and hide from the world.

If someone fractures their knee or is diagnosed of having a lung infection, they'd most certainly not feel embarrassed to talk about it. They'd speak up and try to get help in order to get better. They wouldn't have to worry about being judged or treated poorly. Why then should a mental health diagnosis be any different?

Being fully aware and taking proper care of one's mental health is essential. When a person fails to pay attention to their mental health, he/she faces a mental breakdown.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I'M HAVING A MENTAL BREAKDOWN?

Mental Breakdown comes in different forms. You know you know you're having a mental breakdown when you start to feel overwhelmed, extremely moody, anxious, disconnected from reality, when you have emotional outbursts, a dramatic change in your eating and sleeping schedule, when you feel the need to withdraw yourself from friends and family and when you feel yourself slipping into that deep dark hole–Depression.

HOW DO I LOOK AFTER MY MENTAL HEALTH?

There are couple of ways through which you can take care of your mental health.

You can...

1. Talk about your feelings: Even though the society discriminates people who are mentally unstable, it's still advisable to talk about how you feel. Visit a therapist or talk to a trusted friend. Talking about your feelings would help get things off your chest.

2. Exercise regularly: Exercise keeps the brain and other vital organs healthy. Exercising regularly can help you concentrate, sleep and feel refreshed. Exercising doesn't just mean going to the gym or participating in sporting activities. It also includes taking a walk and performing house chores. These physical activities keeps one active.

3. Eat well: The food you eat has a long-lasting effect on your mental health. Your brain needs a mixture of nutrients to stay healthy and function properly. Make sure to always eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water.

4. Ask for help: When you start to get overwhelmed by how you feel and you feel like you can no longer cope with it, ask for help. You cannot solve everything by yourself.

5. Take a break: A change of environment or activity is good for the mental health. Give yourself some "me time". The world can wait. Listen to your body. If you're really tired, get some sleep. Good sleep is really important and without it, our mental health suffers and we lose concentration.

6. Keep in touch: Strong family ties and supportive friends can help you get through life's struggles. Catch up with people, be it face-to-face or online. However, if you think being in touch with someone is damaging to your mental health, then you might want to take a break from them or end the relationship in a way that's okay for you both. Remember, your mental health is more important.

7. Do something you're good at: Engage in activities that you enjoy doing. It could be dancing, painting, writing or knitting. Performing an activity you enjoy means you're probably good at it and that would help to boost your self-esteem.

8. Accept who you are: Comparison messes up one's mind. Be proud of who you are. Recognize and accept what you're not good at but focus on what you can do well. Feeling good about yourself boosts your confidence and is good for your mental health.

THINGS TO SAY TO SOMEONE WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION

1. "Do you want to talk about it? I'm always here for you".. Even if you don't fully understand what your friend is going through, you can still be there for them and make them understand that they are not alone.

2. "What can I do to help?".. They probably know what does and doesn't help them. It's better to ask than assume.

3. "Do you want to take a walk or go somewhere quiet?".. Taking a walk or finding a peaceful place to talk is soothing and therapeutic.

4. "Do you want my advice or Do you want me to just listen?"

5. "I'm really sorry you're going through this. I'm here if you need me".

• Do not blame them for their condition and do not judge them. Lend a listening ear and if they need a shoulder to cry on, offer them yours.

AUTHOR'S ADVICE:

Pay more attention to people around you. Be kind, you never know what someone is passing through. Just cause a person wears a happy look always doesn't mean he/she is free of struggles. Give random compliments to people. A simple "Hi, you look so good!" can make someone's day. Most importantly, prioritize your mental health. Taking care of your mental health should be a priority, not an option.

Do take care! Xoxo. ❤️