What is mental health and why is it so important? Why is there so much emphasis on this particular subject these days? Mental health covers a lot of ground in terms of various illnesses and come in many forms which can have a diverse effect on ones well being. There’s depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and many more and it affects about 1 in 4 people in the UK. The most common are anxiety and depression and with the right professional help these can be dealt with. This can be through therapy ie CBT therapy (cognitive behavioural therapy) counselling as well as medication depending on the individual. The numbers have set to have risen over the years, yet not everyone goes to seek medical help due to various reasons. It could be due to embarrassment, it could also be that they just don’t have the courage to admit that they have a mental health problem.
Having a mental illness in a Asian community is almost like saying it doesn’t exist to the point we’re made out to look like we’re ‘faking it’ or just being ‘lazy’ when in actual fact there’s so much more to it. There’s this stigma around mental illness and no one seems to want to talk about it because it’s ‘too embarrassing’ or ‘WHAT WILL PEOPLE SAY OR THINK?’ Notice how I put that in capitals? This is the frame of mind some Asians seem to have on various taboo subjects. Always about what others think and never how your kids or people around you feel. What needs to be understood is that people will talk regardless of circumstances so just let it be. Take care of your loved ones and attend to them.
Sometimes people have to sweep their words and emotions under the carpet like they’re non existent because no one wants to know or hear them out. Even if they do supposedly speak on it then they’ll get things like ‘oh it’s a phase’ or ‘don’t be daft you’ll be fine’. Yeah right, in fact I’d say this is common in most Asian families, maybe it’s an Asian thing. This is more for the sufferers family out there who seem to think it’s okay to throw sarcasm or snide comments when they say ‘I can’t do this’ or ‘I’m too tired’. They don’t say this for the sake of it, they say this because they genuinely cannot do something because of the way their mind plays up. People with a mental illness need all the support they can get and if it’s not starting at home then there’s a big problem. It’s too much work having to go through various emotions throughout the day, without having people think like this of them. Why do Asians not understand and why is there so much stigma attached to it? Maybe the older generation have had it tough and all they know is to just get on with it, but why should you? You’re having it tough too, so tough that you can’t function to the point you feel like you need help or don’t want to exist anymore.
Our generation is very different to our parents generation, times are changing and there are too many pressures of this day and age. It shouldn’t have to be like this and more needs to be done to educate the Asian community and to stop being so pressuring and superstitious about things because it’s not nazar (evil eye) nor is it jinns. That’s what is said when people aren’t educated enough on a matter. It’s like anything else, if you don’t have the knowledge, don’t speak on it.
Mental health can affect anyone at anytime, there is no specific age, gender or race. When going through this ordeal, relationships, work life and social life can be affected and your whole mood changes as well as your emotions. It affects how you think, feel and act and you don’t know whether you’re coming or going which is the hardest bit. It’s tiring, draining, exhausting to the point you feel numb, useless and helpless and may feel like giving up on life. It’s hard to talk about these things and what’s troubling you but talking about things does help in the long run and may be the start to a road of recovery with the right help.
Mental health isn’t a joke, it should be treated just like any other illness and shouldn’t make people to think any less of themselves especially in an Asian household. If you see someone acting different, distancing themselves, staying quiet, always looking worried, poor appetite, secluding themselves and not going out like they used to, just drop by and ask if they’re okay. Sometimes that’s all it takes for someone to have the courage to open up to you.
“It’s okay to talk, it’s okay to share and it’s also okay to be NOT okay. You’re human”.
Let's Talk About Mental Health 