➡ 𝙒𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝙗𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙪𝙖𝙡'𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙪𝙡𝙩. 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙯𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙙𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙮 𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙗𝙚𝙙, 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙜𝙜𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨, 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨. 𝘾𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙖 𝙨𝙖𝙛𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙗𝙮 𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙡𝙚𝙙𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨, 𝙥𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛-𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨. 𝙍𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧, 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙖𝙧. 𝙀𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙖 𝙨𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙩𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡-𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜.
In our society, the acceptance of mental health has been a longstanding struggle. The stigma surrounding it often arises from a lack of awareness, as unfamiliarity can make things seem a little bit scary. It's important to note that many mental health cases go undetected, often being attributed to sihr (magic) and encouraged to seek healing through ruqya or other religious means.
It is not uncommon for individuals to recommend praying as a solution when someone expresses their feelings of depression. However, it is crucial to understand that simply praying does not magically alleviate the darkness in someone's life.
As a society, we have a significant role to play in addressing the growing prevalence of mental health issues in today's world. It is important for us to hold ourselves accountable for the harm we may unintentionally cause others due to our own undiagnosed mental health conditions. It is also worth recognizing that individuals who deny the existence of mental health problems pose a threat to the fabric of our society, as their gaslighting behavior can make other people's lives unbearable.
One essential aspect to comprehend about mental illness is that it does not always manifest with visible physical symptoms. Often, it is characterized by mood disorders, lack of motivation, and difficulties regulating emotions, which can make individuals appear unreasonable, angry, or even emotionally explosive.
Another crucial point to understand is that mental health issues are not the individual's fault. They are not to blame for the persistence of their condition; rather, it is the environment they grew up in that plays a significant role.
To better grasp this concept, let's imagine ourselves as plants. The environment in which we grow greatly affects our well-being. Just like a plant that can wither due to lack of water, inadequate fertilizers, or insufficient sunlight, it is not the plant's fault. Similarly, it is not your fault if you have struggled with mental health issues. However, it is our responsibility to work on ourselves, gain understanding, and strive to become better versions of ourselves for the benefit of those around us.
Creating a healthy and safe space for mental health is where we can begin. It involves making our triggers feel safe and developing a better understanding of these mechanisms, which can ultimately change our reactions to these triggers. When we are triggered for the first time, we might burst into tears not having any clue why. The second time, we might take a moment to reflect on what is happening. And by the third time, we might have a better understanding of why it's happening. Once we understand the underlying reasons, it becomes easier to navigate and manage our responses.
Recognizing the signs of deteriorating mental health is a crucial step towards taking appropriate measures for self-care and seeking support. Understanding these indicators allows us to respond proactively and nurture our well-being.
Here are a few signs that may suggest your mental health is deteriorating:
• Difficulty getting out of bed: When even the simplest tasks, such as getting out of bed, feel overwhelmingly challenging and drain your energy, it can be a sign of declining mental health. The lack of motivation, exhaustion, and heaviness that accompany this feeling may indicate the need for self-care and support.
• Struggling with routines: If you find it increasingly difficult to maintain a routine or fulfill your daily responsibilities, it could be a signal that your mental health is declining. Neglecting self-care, work or school obligations, and losing interest in activities you once enjoyed may be indicators that you need to prioritize your well-being.
• Feeling drained by making plans: Planning and engaging in social activities or commitments may become mentally draining when your mental health is deteriorating. The mere thought of making plans might induce feelings of exhaustion or overwhelm, leading to a desire to withdraw and isolate yourself. Recognize this as a valid sign and give yourself permission to take a step back when needed.
• Heightened anger and moodiness: Deteriorating mental health can manifest as increased irritability, anger, or mood swings. Minor frustrations may trigger intense reactions, making it challenging to regulate your emotions or feel at ease. Recognizing these fluctuations can guide you towards seeking the necessary support and implementing effective coping strategies.
Now that we have recognized some signs of deteriorating mental health, here are some suggestions to help you establish and maintain a supportive environment that will help you through your lows:
• Acknowledge your feelings: Avoid gaslighting yourself by dismissing or invalidating your emotions. Recognize that it's okay to not feel okay and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Give yourself permission to acknowledge and accept your feelings without judgment.
• Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and compassion. Understand that everyone goes through challenging periods, and it's essential to be gentle with yourself during these times. Avoid self-judgment and practice self-acceptance. Cultivating self-compassion allows you to navigate difficulties with resilience and kindness.
• Seek support: Reach out to trusted friends, family members, or professionals who can provide emotional support and understanding. Opening up about your struggles can alleviate feelings of isolation and provide valuable perspectives and guidance. Remember, you don't have to face your challenges alone.
• Set boundaries: Establish clear boundaries to protect your mental well-being. Learn to say no to commitments or situations that may exacerbate stress or overwhelm. Prioritize activities that promote relaxation, self-care, and rejuvenation. By honoring your boundaries, you create a space that fosters your mental health.
It's important to remember that progress takes time, and healing is not linear. Be patient with yourself as you navigate your mental health journey. Celebrate even the smallest victories and milestones along the way. Surround yourself with people who uplift and support you, and consider joining support groups or seeking professional help if needed.
Educate yourself about mental health and spread awareness within your community. Engage in conversations that break down the stigma surrounding mental illness and promote understanding and empathy. By increasing awareness and knowledge, we can collectively work towards a society that embraces and supports mental health. Lastly, remember that you are not alone. Many individuals face similar struggles, and there is strength in unity. Together, we can create a world where mental health is prioritized and where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength. You deserve to live a life filled with mental well-being, and by taking these steps, you are actively working towards a brighter future.
You are capable, resilient, and deserving of a happy and fulfilling life. 🫶🏻