Every 10th October on a yearly basis, World Mental Health Day is observed, with the main objective being that of raising awareness about mental health and promoting support where needed. On this day, individuals and institutions that have the power to bring about changes are encouraged to speak out about their work within the community, as well as pinpoint areas where improvement is needed.
This year’s World Mental Health Day comes at a particular time where insecurity, fear, anxiety, among other negative emotions, are reigning many lives. This increase is due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has disrupted many aspects within our society: on a personal, social and economical level. Due to their vulnerability, many individuals from all walks of life have been suffering from social isolation more than ever before.
For this reason, the ultimate goal of this year’s World Mental Health Day is to see an increase in investment with regards to mental health related services.
My Personal Experience with Depression
Today I recognise the importance of spreading awareness on subjects at heart based on personal experiences. Thus, I have decided to share with you my own past personal battles with depression.
I have experienced depression in two different periods in my life. Both periods happened around a year or two after the birth of two of my three girls. Through retrospect I realise that it was other situations in my life that led me to experience depression, but until I found the courage to work on those situations, depression persisted, even though I was on medication.
I remember waking up in the morning day after day, and my first thought on doing so would be literally counting the hours until I could get back in bed. Sleeping was the only thing that made me forget my troubles.
I remember days on end when I had to literally drag myself into the shower. I didn’t have any motivation at all, not even to shower. Every little thing seemed trivial.
Future? It was not an option for me. I couldn’t think past when my next bedtime would be. I just wanted to sleep and forget where I was living. My life was meaningless. I was merely existing, not living.
The only strength I had at the time was used to care for my daughters. I never left them hungry, I never left them lacking anything, I gave them all I could. I gave them all that was left of me. I faked a smile whenever they were next to me. I would laugh and play with them, take care of their education, support them through homework, make sure they always had clean clothes…
But there were also times when I breathed a sigh of relief seeing them watching a movie, interested. That meant I could run to the bathroom, cry my heart out, then wipe my tears and get back out again to continue faking happiness.
Another aspect of mental health…suicide. Although I never attempted suicide in the past, there were times when I have to admit that my thoughts were constantly ‘discussing’ whether if a fall from a particular place would cause my death or make me unable to walk ever again…or whether throwing myself in front of a fast racing car would actually kill me with the impact.
This is the reality of depression. I wore my happy mask very well, yet on the inside I was dead. The only thing that always stopped these thoughts from materialising at that time were my children. My love for them and their love for me was what kept me alive throughout those dark days.
On the outside I was that happy young woman, always smiling, ear to ear, willing to help everyone. A fun mum. A mum who had it all. But on the inside I felt like I was screaming desperately for help. My heart was in pain…and it had nothing to do with cardiac pain…the pain in my heart was emotional. I felt dead.
After working on my main causes for depression through therapy and self-help books and articles, meditation and more, I managed to overcome those dark days. But I will never forget where I was before I became the woman I am today. This is why I feel the need to spread awareness on many aspects of life, and one of these aspects is today’s subject.
Depression steals the life out of you. Depression makes you feel like the world is better without you. Depression makes you think that you are a burden on society and on your loved ones. Depression is a silent killer…
Never underestimate the power of a smile, a kind gesture, lending a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. Never underestimate it when someone you know opens up and mentions feeling too troubled, too worried, too sad. Do not say phrases like “you’re gonna get better, just look around you…so many people are worse than you!” No. That doesn’t help. Instead, listen. Offer support. Offer to be there. And show the individual that you are willing to help and support him…and if you can’t, research entities who can help out and discuss with him. Say the golden words “You are not alone…I’m here to support you”…
Reducing the Stigma towards Mental Health
Sometimes the worst thing we can do as human being is choosing to stand on the sidewalk, observing and grumbling about current situations and yet doing nothing at all to bring about necessary changes. No matter who we are, we can still raise our voices and bring about awareness on situations that are quite common among us.
Mental health is a subject which, although much has changed in the way it is perceived nowadays, there is still stigma surrounding it. In order to reduce this stigma, there are things that every single one of us can do to promote equality and inclusion of individuals suffering from mental health issues:
Talk openly about mental health: the more we talk about mental health as part of a common issue affecting a multitude of individuals, the more we reduce the stigma surrounding it.
Educate yourself: in order to talk about the subject, one should be well informed of all aspects surrounding it. In this day and age we are fortunate enough as to have unlimited information on whichever subject we are interested in. By reading on the subject and becoming acquainted with the many aspects surrounding it, you may engage in public and online discussions and spread reliable and evidence based information.
Choose the right words: Stigma can also be increased through the use of inappropriate words. In this case, we can all agree that there are various inappropriate words related to mental health, which not only promote and show lack of understanding, but also affect individuals who suffer from mental health issues. By choosing our words wisely, we can also make a difference on an individual and social level.
Show compassion: Unfortunately, individuals suffering from certain mental health issues such as anxiety and depression are most commonly accused of being lazy, uninterested, lacking motivation and much more. This is not only inappropriate, but also wrong on many levels. Mental illness is in itself an illness, just as physical illness is an illness. We need to treat mental illness as it is…an illness. And by doing so, we can find it in ourselves to show compassion and be there for those suffering from it.
Empower individuals with mental health issues: pointing out an individual and shaming them for an illness can make things worse, both for the individual as well as for society. When we notice that someone we know is suffering from mental health issues, pinpoint that they are not alone, and that it is much more common that they may think, which is indeed the truth. Encourage them to seek help, and offer your support where needed.
Speak out: Media has the tendency to focus on the negative rather than the positive. Why not? After all, sensationalism sells…or so it seems! This leads to media frequently using blunt inappropriate words about mental health related situations. Similarly, this is also done on an individual level. Just a scroll through Facebook shows how people are naturally inclined to fuss over negativity. BE DIFFERENT…speak out and promote positivity through your own posts, and at the same time educate those who may be unintentionally increasing the stigma.
If you are experiencing any issues related to mental health, do not be afraid to speak out. You may book an appointment for a therapy session with Richmond Foundation by calling on 21445551 or 79990409, or else send an email on [email protected]. You may also contact Kellimni on https://kellimni.com/, who offer chat, email or messaging support.
References
World Health Organisation. (2020). World Mental Health Day 2020.
If you have an experience related to mental health that you’d like to share with us, contact us or email us at [email protected]
Claire Galea is a mum of three currently reading for a Degree in Nursing at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, as a mature student. She is keen about holistic patient-centered care as well as public education about health-related subjects, which she frequently writes about on Wham as a Content Writer and Website Editor.
Claire is also passionate about spreading awareness on the negative effects that domestic abuse leaves on its victims’ mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. She is the author of two downloadable ebooks, namely Heal Your Life Forever and 5 Simple Steps To Creating The Life Of Your Dreams.
Click here to check out Claire’s full bio as well as a list of all her Wham published articles
