May – mental health month
Is there a better time than now to take care of our own psyche?
Our mental health, otherwise known as well-being or mental balance, is an essential element of our proper life: emotional life, well-being and physical health.
Is it or was it taboo in your family? I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case. A lot of people minimize the topic of mental problems and treatment – shame plays a big role here. Fortunately, this is slowly changing for the better. Our mental problems (whatever you want to call them) should not be stigmatized.
May gives us a special opportunity to promote the importance of our psyche, although mental health should be taken seriously throughout the year. In 1949, Mental Health America declared May as Mental Health Month. I use it willingly and I talk about it with courage, I join campaigns and actions promoting mental health and I fight harmful stereotypes!
I suggest that you answer these important questions in May:
How do I take care of my mental health?
Am I good to myself?
Can I ask for help?
It is also worth looking around and checking if there is someone in your environment who may be going through a difficult moment and who you could support mentally. Usually a conversation can change a lot.
Here are some facts to highlight the topic and make you think:
Mental Health Foundation – a British organization dealing with mental health in a report from 2016 presents – 1 in 6 adults every week faces a mental health problem.
In the report of the Chancellery of the Senate “Mental Health in the European Union” from 2019, we read that each year 164.8 million EU residents are diagnosed with mental health disorders.
The World Health Organization (WHO) extends the analysis and in a 2019 memo indicates that approximately 264 million people worldwide suffer from depression. In 2020, WHO reported that depression was the second most common disease in the world and it predicted that by 2030 it will be the first…
Four million people suffered from depression in Poland in 2020. Although there were probably more of them, because many people do not realize that their problem is depression.
Every year over 700,000 people worldwide commit suicide. Young people often decide to take this dramatic step. In the 15-29 age group it is the fourth leading cause of death.
Data from the Polish Police Headquarters: in 2021, the number of suicide attempts increased by almost one-fifth. There were 1,339 children and teenagers aged 7 to 18.
You may ask how to take care of your own and others’ mental health.
Here are 7 ways to take care of mental health:
- Love yourself. I know from experience that sometimes it is not an easy task. In addition, our past, habitual thinking, the critic in your head, “what others will say” and many other aspects are related to it. Those who have achieved even a “small” self-love will confirm my words that it is worth the effort.
- Your valuable sleep. Take care of sleep hygiene. On average, it’s best to sleep 7-9 hours a night. Get to know your body and adjust the amount of smudges to yourself. Too little sleep is bad for mental and physical health.
- Use relaxation techniques that you enjoy. If you like being active and this is how you relax, use the swimming pool, bike, gym, trips to nature, aerobics, dancing, walking… If you like more static rest, there are plenty of ways to choose from too: meditation, mindfulness, exposing your face to the sun, careful colouring , work on your family tree, painting pictures, writing poems or books, reading, to learn breathing techniques… Turn your hobby into a pleasant work on your mental health.
- Have healthy eating habits. There are foods that will give you more energy in your daily life. Find out about healthy eating. Remember that the information must be from a reliable source and updated.
- Be sociable as much as you like. Cultivate relationships with loved ones with who you can be yourself. Have you heard that when you share happiness, it increases, and when you share sadness, it decreases? Thanks to good relationships, we take care of our self-esteem and self-confidence, and we feel fulfilled socially.
- Avoid stimulants. Stimulants stimulate our body. For example: alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, energy drinks, caffeinated drinks… We often use excuses to continue what we do, which destroys our peace and often body. Think about your hidden benefit from using a given stimulant.
- Ask for help. If you feel that something is bothering you beyond measure, you are not yourself, you are lost in life or you can’t cope anymore, and talking to your loved ones is not an option, a visit to a doctor, psychiatrist or counsellor is a proof of your wisdom and maturity.
I am one of those specialists. I have been running Counselling in Scunthorpe for over 10 years. Our company is called “Someone to talk to”. We conduct therapy in Polish and English languages. We offer personal talking therapy in our offices in Scunthorpe and online sessions, we cooperate with workplaces, organize trainings and workshops. We work with adults and children individually and in groups, we accept couples and families.
If you think that this article will help at least one person around you, please pass it on.
I also encourage you to contact me to talk about your mental health care.