An existential crisis is a period of intense questioning and doubt about the meaning of life. It can be triggered by a major life event, such as the death or loss of a loved one, a divorce, a pandemic or a job loss. It can also be caused by a more gradual process of questioning one's beliefs, purpose and values. An existential crisis can leave a person feeling like they are drifting out to sea with no control over what direction they are heading in.
Read moreMental Health Matters: Supporting Emotional Wellbeing and Recovery
Times are tough. Things are quite precarious. We all face the difficulties of economic and social instability. We are just beginning to wrap our brains around the toll the Covid pandemic has taken on our world. As a result, the topic of mental health has become increasingly more prevalent. Social media platforms highlight the positive aspects of life, yet many people are experiencing anxiety, depression and trauma. With the rise of mental health issues around the world, it is important for each individual and governments to now prioritize emotional wellbeing and recovery.
The pressures of contemporary life can make it difficult for individuals to process their feelings and emotions. This can result in the abundance of distraction available online, including social media, streaming platforms, video games, pornography, the news or even just surfing the internet aimlessly. While these activities can provide entertainment and a temporary distraction, they also have the potential to severely exacerbate mental health issues. Therefore, it is even more important now than ever, for individuals to dedicate time to self-reflection, meditation, mindfulness, and self-care practices that allow them to address and understand their emotional needs fully. (Tomorrow I will be sending out a post on how to engage in self-care.)
One major aspect of emotional wellbeing is dealing with trauma and its consequences, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In my work with clients, PTSD has been the main mental illness causing condition I have come across. We all deal with PTSD in some form now as a result of the Covid pandemic. Individuals can recover from traumas by seeking professional help, attending support groups, and practicing mindfulness while meditating, yoga, or through journaling. Trauma healing requires time and patience, but individuals do have the power to feel better through the support of loved ones, seeking therapy, and engaging in self-care routines.
Mental health awareness and support are essential not only for the individual affected but also for the people around them. While introverted individuals enjoy their time alone, they still need to prioritize social connections in their lives and form healthy relationships. Similarly, society needs to eliminate the stigma around anxiety and depression once and for all. It is not uncommon at all for individuals to feel overwhelmed, depressed and anxious- especially considering the challenges that the world throws our way these days.
As I wrote about in my earlier essay on gaslighting, it also is important to establish a conversation around gaslighting awareness and the importance of seeking professional help. Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation in which a person seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or in members of a targeted group, making them question their own memory, perception, or sanity. It is a significant root cause of mental health issues and anxiety. Thus everyone must call out gaslighters and develop healthier coping mechanisms such as therapy, self-care, and mindfulness, or just simply seeking the support of friends and family.
Mental health matters now more than ever and should be a priority in an individual's life. With the right support from friends, family, and mental health practitioners, individuals can take care of their emotional wellbeing and achieve full recovery from traumas or mental health disorders. While it may be a long journey, taking the first step is crucial, whether that's seeking therapy, meditating, relaxing more (without distractions), going for walks, eating better or journaling to process and regulate emotions. The key takeaway is for individuals to make small changes in their daily lives and hold themselves accountable for their emotional wellbeing. With support and consistency we can recover from mental illness and live a more mentally healthy (stable) life.
If you would like to begin working on your mental health, please feel free to schedule a session with me.