I was thinking of my mental health recently and a need to indulge in a vacation when it dawned on me that we have just gone past the Mental Health Awareness month of May. These days, we hear the words “Mental Health” bandied about, which is not surprising given the challenges and stresses of our times. Many people are suffering from mental health challenges, albeit unknown to them. Addictions, Anxieties, Bipolarism, Depression, Schizophrenia and a host of other conditions are all attributable to a person’s mental health. With an upsurge in the incidences of emotional and physical abuse, coupled with the harsh economic climate, it comes as no surprise that the conditions above mentioned, are on the increase.

Ife, a mother of two was found soliciting alms outside one of the mega-churches one Sunday afternoon alongside her two children. One of the church members to approach her was Dr. Meg, who felt attracted to this soft-spoken, articulate young woman. Dr. Meg, in addition to gifting her a healthy sum, invited her to her consulting room at The City Sanatorium – a behavioral Health facility – where she practises as a Clinical psychologist. She shares Ife’s story:

Ife had been married to her childhood friend, Fred and together they had raised two children. Fred was an engineer with a manufacturing company while Ife was a marketing executive with an insurance company. Problems started four years into the marriage as Fred became an alcoholic exhibiting an altered personality which resulted in severe emotional and physical abuse to Ife. All attempts to identify the root cause of the change proved abortive and Fred lived in self-denial of his state. Nevertheless, Ife continued in the relationship, as she put it, “because of the children.” Fred started slipping in his fatherly role and responsibilities, but Ife kept up appearances, rising to the occasion by providing needed finances. However, one day, about a year prior to meeting Dr. Meg, Ife came home from work to an empty home. Fred had packed all his personal belongings and left home. She tried calling his phone, but it was switched off. The next day, she inquired at his office and was shocked to find out that he had resigned three months earlier. She was left with no option than to take up her cross and fend for the family as a single parent, but the strain and trauma of the years had taken its toll. She suffered from bouts of depression which affected her productivity at work. She was eventually fired, and the children had to be relocated to a public school. This further depressed her, and it was during this low, she decided to pursue street begging for a livelihood.

Dr. Meg was intrigued by her story and after a clinical diagnosis of depression, she slated her for counseling sessions and medical treatment at the Sanitarium. She went on to rehabilitate Ife and assisted her get an administrative placement with the church. Dr. Meg also assisted the children secure admission in the school run by the church where Ife was entitled to discounted fees. These all resulted in Ife being active in church and spiritual activities thus picking up the pieces of her life and a more stable mental health. She is still healing from the bruises but is better able to live a happy fulfilled life.

There is no gainsaying the fact that mental health is something to be guarded jealously. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines mental health as “A state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well and work well and contribute to their communities.” It is therefore clear that stressors and pressure agitate mental health while self-care stimulates mental health.

A person is expected to develop a self-care routine for proper balance on an ongoing basis. To help with this, some organised businesses insist on a work-life balance that enables employees time for family, socials, exercise, etc. Some even have gyms, enroll staff in clubs with recreational facilities, frown at working beyond specified hours, have creches for babies, etc. Even where these are unavailable, the individual owes it to herself to indulge in a self-care routine which ideally should encompass all or a substantial number of the following areas for optimum balance – Emotional e.g. journaling, listening to music or messages; Mental e.g. dissipating stress through meditation, walking, socialising, etc.; Physical e.g. eat healthy, exercise, etc.; Spiritual e.g. embrace religion and live by the tenets of your faith; Recreational e.g. reading, swimming, playing games, etc.; and environmental e.g. maintaining a decluttered and safe living environment, etc.

It is also important to practise self-love as a part of your self-care routine and this simply means pampering yourself by doing something for yourself that makes you feel happy and fulfilled e.g., a spa treatment, an outing, a vacation, etc.

Do take out time to practise self-care to aid your mental health in these challenging times. EVERYONE needs this to remain sane.

GLOSSARY

1. DEPRESSION – A mental condition characterised by severe despondency and dejection with feelings of inadequacy and guilt often accompanied by lack of energy and disturbance of appetite and sleep.
2. BIPOLAR DISORDER – A mental condition characterised by severe mood swings and energy levels resulting in emotional highs and lows.
3. SCHIZOPHRENIA – A mental condition involving a breakdown in the relationship between thought emotion and behaviour, leading to faulty perception, withdrawal from reality and personal relationships into fantasy, delusions, and mental fragmentation.
4. SELF-CARE – The practice of actively protecting one’s personal well-being and happiness, particularly during periods of stress.

Love

Havilah