It has been long since psychology as a profession has conquered its own kingdom . Mental health is the emperor of today’s time. Concept of mental health has been revolutionary over the years.
However, it wasn’t like this before clearly and evidently . The stigma around this profession is deep rooted in the psyche of the mankind . More so, i believe it’s purely a result of cultural and social conditioning that this topic wasn’t talked and discussed openly in every household which provokes me to bring this discussion on the table today .
Of course there is no doubt and denial in the fact that today psychological well being and psychologists are given their due value & vital importance they should have been given even then , nevertheless , it’s never too late they say ! & i agree .
Now let’s redefine and try to understand the stigma and pre conceived notions regarding this whole construct . It’s very common that if an individual has a disease say ,viral fever , he/she will consult doctor & take medicine for the same . But When it comes to any psychological issue/ concern , the first reaction or response is lack of awareness or acknowledgment that there is an existing problem , second of all ,even if there is awareness, there is no acceptance , thirdly , even if these 2 prevail , no steps are taken further for the improvement of the condition/health. To me it seems unfair , you are doing injustice to your self . You are denying your own realty .
Why ? Why ,because as i mentioned earlier there is a deep rooted stigma attached to it , an irrational ,intense and imbibed fear of being evaluated negatively or being judged with a prejudice by other People .
I reckon, ” Fear are lies you believe with utmost conviction “. Being treated or helping yourself is compromised & being stuck becomes the priority .When people start acting out on these values with this kind of biased attitude ,the result is *societal blemish* and it is contagious as common cold.
Problem never fades away ,it is still there rather much worse and aggravated than before because of the “extreme fear of being judged and looked down upon by our society” . Every now and then Statements are thrown around in our society like ” I am not mad,I don’t need professional help”. What will people say that i am “abnormal”? or “I am fine , there’s nothing like that , i will handle myself ” and what’s even worse ” please don’t tell anyone that I am seeking therapy”.
All these statements stem from the same source – the root cause which ought to be analysed and introspected .
In my opinion – Now is the time more than ever to reflect within our selves . It is imperative to understand that mental health is equally essential as your physical health . It’s normal and absolutely okay to go and seek a professional psychotherapist if you cannot handle your psychological issues by yourself . Overall health comes first and foremost .
It’s high time we acknowledge that we break this myth and taboo surrounded around mental health services .When was the last time you took off from office or from your work schedule because you felt low or struggled with psychological distress ? I am sure probably never have you ever done that but you probably took days off endless times when you had appointment with your medical doctor ,you had infection or food poisoning etc . It’s better we start raising awareness about this matter .Prioritizing mental health should be the new normal !!!!!
To conclude , I would like to just make this point that it’s a relief to know and see finally people are opening up , taking their holistic health seriously , not ashamed of accepting that they may be suffering and it’s necessary to take professional help . Mental health is the talk of the town at present which definitely is a breath of fresh air for our community . Hoping for a better tomorrow !!:)
Thank you and regards
@Paridhi Talwar
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