By: Joice M. Florentino
How’s your mental health? Are there thoughts in your mind that keep you awake at night? Do you sometimes wonder why you are not good enough and tend to fail? Are there things that bother you but you can’t figure out what it is? You prefer to avoid negative things and appreciate those that are more helpful. Try to examine yourself specifically your mental health.
Mental health has always been an important issue; however, the emergence of coronavirus brought a new change to the lives of everyone. People are separated from their usual lives. For instance, we are now required to wear facemask and face shield when going out and fill up health checklist form when entering malls. Swab tests are mandated mainly in gatherings or travelling out of town.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental and behavioral disorders account for about 14% of the global burden of disease and as many as 450 million people suffer from these illnesses. The Philippine WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health conducted in the early part of 2020 shows that at least 3.6 million Filipinos suffer from one kind of mental, neurological, and substance use disorder.
Some people think that mental health issue is just a mere problem nor they don't think it can trigger suicide. Children with mental health problems are also a cause of concern in the Philippines. An assessment of the Philippine Mental Health System reported 16% prevalence of mental disorders among children. Also, the latest Global School-based Student Heath Survey found that 16.8% of students aged 13 to 17 attempted suicide one or more times during the 12 months before the survey.
Let’s face the fact that it is a necessity to seek help from others. Do not just lock yourself in a dark room, isolating and starving yourself, and crying the whole day. If you need help, try to consult someone. Those challenges that you’re facing right now can help you to become stronger. Find a friend, a trusted friend whom you can tell everything that bothers you. This way, you’ll be able to help yourself overcome sadness. Give yourself a chance to communicate and trust someone, widen your horizon and you will see that you’re not alone in your battle.
Overthinking is also one of the reasons of mental health problems. Avoid thinking negative scenarios since it will just confine you to things that have not yet occurred. Come to think of it, you’re afraid to receive lower grades but you never try to study. You want to finish all the requirements before the deadline but you never try to do it when you have enough time to do so. Fear is something that is holding us back. We are afraid of failure and judgment. Face your fears. Surround yourself with positive thought as they attract positive and meaningful life.
Your thoughts have the power to create your reality. Live your life to the fullest. Your mental health matters! Protect it at all cost!