Mental health, often barely given any importance, is the sole reason for one’s inner peace or turmoil. Good mental health allows us to grow, learn and form healthy relationships with people. On the other hand, bad mental health has the power to destroy us from inside and slowly from outside.

Though awareness about this subject has been increasing every day, it is still considered as a taboo in most families around us. To those who don’t know this or haven’t heard this in a while, you matter.

If something bothers you, learn to openly talk about it, perhaps not to everyone, just the person you trust, and you’ll see how calm and relieved you will feel. If there’s someone in your life who makes you unhappy, so much so that it affects your mental peace, cut them off, nothing is worth sacrificing your mental health for. Don’t think if you are putting yourself first for this purpose, makes you selfish.

All of us have experienced ups and downs in our lives. Life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows, sometimes there’s darkness too, but sometimes dealing with that darkness proves to be a challenge. If at any point, depression or sadness overwhelms you, take a deep breath and ask yourself: “Do I want to wallow in agony or do I wish to get better?”

Seek help if you need to. Reach out to your loved ones and let them know you are not doing okay. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak, nor should it make you feel burdensome on anyone because you’re important, your life matters and you should do anything in your power to seek out the happiness that you hope to find. It could be found in the smallest things, like reading a nice book, taking a refreshing walk in the morning, going to the gym or even just taking care of yourself.

People’s lives are far from perfect. Social media plays a huge role in making it seem otherwise. Seeing people’s picture perfect lives can create a sense of emptiness in a person. Social media’s portrayal of people’s lives fails to capture the reality. The internal agony one faces can just so easily be concealed by a picture of one smiling, the emotions behind that picture remain hidden. Social media’s failed impression of flawless bodies creates unrealistic goals for people.

There is always light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how dark or long the path may appear to be. If you feel desolated, let those close to you be made aware of your emotions, isolating yourself can lead to the development of negative thoughts. If you let the pain and depression build up over time, it’ll simply just erupt out of you when you eventually do let it all out. Take it one day at a time, things will get better. Speak up about it if it takes a toll on your mental health, be expressive and let yourself feel those feelings, don’t avoid them.

If you ever feel worthless, just remember, you are incredibly strong for making it as far as you have, and there are so many people in your life who are exceptionally proud of the person you are today. As long as you keep in mind that the bad times will eventually pass, if you give up right now, then you won’t be able to enjoy the beautiful things life has to offer.

Never forget, “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.”

Published in Dawn, Young World, October 22nd, 2022