Mental Health First
प्रकाशित मिति : चैत्र २७, २०७८ आईतबार
By Tushar Nazmul
Photo by Total Shape on Unsplash
We are always told to do this, to do that and to push past it. We are simply just told to keep moving on and to keep going. But that is not healthy. We all have to take a breath and relax. We are humans, not robots. Our mental health is just as important as our physical health. There should not be any judgment or guilt for taking a minute and putting ourselves first. As a New Yorker, I understand how fast everyone and everything is. It feels like if you take a break, you fall miles behind and end up having to play catch up. But that is not true; the world will always be there when you are ready. You need to prioritize yourself and your mental health because if you do not, then who will?
In the rush of life, we forget about ourselves and our mental stability. We forget to actually live. The mind and the body work together; we can’t ignore one and still expect to be wholesome and completely healthy. According to the Mental Health Foundation, people who suffer from mental health issues are more at risk to have physical health issues and vice versa. There is a clear and definite connection between psychological health and physiological health which can not be denied. As important as it is for us to eat healthy, exercise, go to sleep on time and drink water, it is just as important for us to take a day off, set boundaries, meditate and talk to a professional if needed.
You can not deny that mental health issues are a serious problem in this world. According to Mental Health America, 19.86 adults in the U.S. are dealing with mental health problems, which is about 50 million Americans. Mental Health America also states that in the previous year, 15.08 percent of youth from ages 12 to 17 reported experiencing at least one major depressive episode.
Sometimes even when we know we need to get help we don’t because either we don’t know how to ask for it or we are simply just too ashamed to ask because of the society we live in. Hey, I don’t blame you. Sadly, people suffering from psychological issues are looked down upon and judged. Mental health is not taken seriously in this society. There is a stigma in this world when it comes to mental health and it truly is unfair but don’t let that get in the way of you and your mental health and happiness. You deserve to prosper. You deserve to be healthy.
If you or your loved ones are suffering from any mental health issues, there is help available. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255. NYC Well at 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355). You can also check the following links for assistance: https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/ and https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.
Citations:
- https://www.mhanational.org/issues/2022/mental-health-america-youth-data
- https://www.mhanational.org/issues/2022/mental-health-america-adult-data
- https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/p/physical-health-and-mental-health