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Mental Health
May 12, 2020
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Welcome back to Conversations With Kendall. Today we are going to discuss a very important topic, one that we really should spend more time talking about--mental health.
When I started writing this column, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to talk about mental health in conjunction with COVID-19, or just about mental health in general. I thought to myself, mental health is a battle that so many of us silently house all the time, pandemic or not. The effects of COVID-19 are just an amplification of what already exists. So let’s get at the core of this issue.
I know we have all heard or read about the available hotlines and resources that are readily available for anyone that feels like they need help, big or small. But let’s take a moment and reflect. If it were me that needed help, would I call? Or would I sweep what I’m feeling under the rug as much as I could to save face, or maybe I would keep it to myself to remain socially accepted and loved?
In reality, I would probably battle the shame and embarrassment of it all before I made moves to better myself. That is so backwards. Society’s opinion of us is an invisible lens that filters almost every decision we make.
Mental health is something that we should all actively try to normalize. Large groups and individuals with large platforms set examples for others. The more we talk about it and embrace the times that we may have sought out help, the more supported others may feel in sharing and addressing their struggles. There is comfort in shared experiences and emotions.
Another way to normalize the stigma of mental illness is by being present to those in your life who are struggling through something. Often times when we lose commonality with friends, those friendships naturally fade away. I think that it’s important, as friends, family members, and partners to put in the necessary extra effort and remain a positive light in their world. Listen to them, spend time with them, remind them that they are not alone, and love them. Kindness goes a long way and others will follow by example with like-people in their own lives.
We’ve already acknowledged that mental health is a battle that exists far beyond COVID-19, but that’s not to say that the recent state of our country doesn’t play a role. Some people are already predisposed to mental illness; the current coronavirus situation exacerbates those predispositions.
I know what I see in my household. We have entered a state of mania; overly disinfecting everything, afraid to get to close to people, or touch anything, unsure of the duration of this crisis, seeing our friends and family get taken from us and quarantined due to infection and it’s all very scary, scary enough to alter my sense of reality. I can feel myself losing it sometimes; I can feel the fear taking over me.
Predisposition to mental health issues coupled with this overwhelming feeling of fear, my gosh, can you say mental breakdown? We are all capable of doing our part and contributing positively to the lives around us. Let’s help each other out and make 2020 a year of unification rather than fear.
My good friend and unit manager at a private psychiatric center, Genesis Flores, was kind enough to share some tips on how to combat the trepidation emerging from COVID-19. She explained to me the importance of staying up-to-date regarding what’s going on in the world, but to limit our news watching, it can become very overwhelming if we aren’t careful. She advises that we follow the stay at home order but enjoy outdoor physical activity, in a safe proximity of course. Genesis can’t emphasize enough how important it is to write down daily affirmations, taking note of the things we are lucky to have rather than the things we don’t have. Daily mental wellness practice is a good habit for all of us to get into, pandemic or not.
I hope that I have helped someone in need feel supported; I hope that I have potentially liberated someone from the shackles of society and let them know it’s ok to be human and get the help that we all need from time to time.
I know that I’m writing to a group of already top-notch people, nonetheless, I hope I have reminded us all to slow down and be helpful and kind to those around us. You never know what the person next to you might be going through.
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