Hey fellow-first-timers!

We’ve heard that a healthy mind makes for a healthy body - but let’s be honest: we are always trying to keep both well. I like to call us first-timers, because we’re doing this life for the first time. Every experience and encounter is uniquely tailored. Whether we handle it gracefully or hastily depends on how well we’ve trained ourselves for it. Hey! Not saying you should be ready for a bullet at any given moment, but how well we receive and deal with it is what matters.

While most of the population agrees that a healthy mind is something we all deserve in order to live this life, some people still wonder whether mental health and wellness are marketed to simply attract consumers. It is seen as a luxury or a premium service. Honestly? I can’t blame them! As much as we have made people aware of mental health, we have not yet made it accessible to them. The recent awareness boom could have also ignited this thought among people. The hope is that it reaches people in power and is made affordable and accessible for larger crowds across the nation. That said -

Are you wondering if you should take help?

Healing Blooms by Jhilik Paul

While there is no straightforward answer, it is encouraged that you take it, but it’s also a personal choice. If you have experienced a negative occurrence at any point in life, been hard on yourself for taking a leap, or even because something did not work out the way you wanted it, and that has left you feeling persistently sad, angry, disturbed, anxious, or irritated, it might be your sign to speak up.

Ever since we were kids, we have been discouraged from thinking about negative outcomes, let alone negative experiences. So, when life presents us with a bitter event, we tend to stumble. It doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to feel your feelings, but a healthy balance is what we are trying to achieve here.

Why is it important to seek help?

When you don’t learn to cope with your emotions, you may easily fall into habits harmful to both yourself and the people around you. If left unaddressed, emotional distress may also contribute to long-term health challenges. Mental health conditions can arise from a combination of life experiences, biological factors, and genetic influences. You might start seeing signs in your body as well, because a healthy mind is truly important for a healthy body. This is why it is important to build healthy coping mechanisms and seek support.

When should you consider taking help?

For many mental health conditions, symptoms first emerge during adolescence and early adulthood. If you catch yourself struggling to perform well or falling behind more than usual, therapy can help you manage yourself better. 

There is nothing wrong with choosing to go to therapy. It’s like working out in a gym, but for your mental well-being! As Mental Health Awareness month wraps up, I want to remind you to be aware of your mental health and pay attention to your state of mind. Indeed, we all deserve a healthy inner well-being to face the world outside. Also - remember to be kind to your fellow first-timers!