World Mental Health Day: Breaking the Silence, Shattering the Stigma

Mental health. Two words that still make people squirm in their seats. Two words that can turn a lively conversation into an awkward silence faster than you can say "anxiety." Why? Because somehow, in this age of information and supposed enlightenment, we're still treating mental health like it's some kind of dirty secret.

Let's cut the @%&, shall we? Mental health is health. Period. End of story. But for some reason, we've decided to put it in a box, label it "Handle with Care," and shove it into the darkest corner of our collective consciousness.

Think about it. When was the last time you heard someone casually mention they're seeing a therapist? Now, compare that to how often you hear people talk about their physical ailments. "Oh, my back's been killing me." "Yeah, I've got this weird rash." "Man, my allergies are acting up." But mention depression or anxiety? Suddenly, everyone's looking at their shoes and changing the subject.

It's like we've created this bizarre hierarchy in medicine. Physical health sits on the throne, all shiny and accepted. And mental health? It's the black sheep of the family, lurking in the shadows, hoping no one notices it.

But here's the kicker: mental health affects every single one of us. Yeah, you heard me right. Every. Single. One. Whether you're the CEO of a Fortune 500 company or the barista at your local coffee shop, your mental health is part of who you are. It shapes your thoughts, your actions, your relationships. It's not some optional add-on to your health package. It's the whole damn operating system.

So why the hell are we still tiptoeing around it?

Maybe it's fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of being judged, fear of being seen as "weak." But let me tell you something: acknowledging your mental health doesn't make you weak. It makes you human. And last time I checked, we're all part of that club.

Or maybe it's ignorance. We've come a long way in understanding the brain, but there's still so much we don't know. And humans? We're not great with uncertainty. We like our facts served up neat and tidy, with a side of "this is how it's always been done."

But here's the thing: just because we don't fully understand something doesn't mean we should ignore it. If we applied that logic to the rest of medicine, we'd still be treating the common cold with leeches.

It's time for a change, folks. It's time to drag mental health out of the shadows and into the spotlight. It's time to start talking about it like we talk about any other aspect of our health.

Imagine a world where saying "I'm feeling depressed" is met with the same understanding and support as "I've got the flu." Imagine workplaces where mental health days are as accepted as sick days. Imagine schools where emotional intelligence is given as much importance as academic intelligence.

That's the world we should be striving for. A world where mental health isn't some separate entity, but an integral part of our overall health and well-being.

So how do we get there? It starts with us. With conversations like this one. With being brave enough to speak up about our own struggles. With being open and supportive when others share theirs.

It means educating ourselves about mental health. Understanding that it's not just about the extremes we see portrayed in movies. It's about the everyday stuff too. The stress, the anxiety, the ups and downs that we all experience.

It means pushing for change in our workplaces, our schools, our communities. Demanding better mental health resources. Insisting on policies that recognize the importance of mental well-being.

And most importantly, it means changing our own perspectives. Recognizing that taking care of our mental health isn't a luxury or a weakness. It's a necessity. It's strength.

So on this World Mental Health Day, I challenge you. Start a conversation. Share your story. Listen to someone else's. Be the change we so desperately need.

Because mental health is health. And it's about damn time we started treating it that way.

My Journey is depicted in my book “Revolution from my bed”. Find it Here.