World Mental Health Day: A note by Dr. Samir Parikh
While the discussion about mental health has gone mainstream, many people around the world continue to stay mum and choose to keep their struggles to themselves due to fear of judgment given the long history of taboo around the subject. Today, on World Mental Health Day, Dr. Samir Parikh, Director of the Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences at Fortis Healthcare, shares why is it crucial to talk about mental health and seek help timely.
Here’s a note from Dr. Parikh—
‘Forty seconds. A life is lost to suicide every forty seconds. As a doctor, nothing pains me more than to stand by as hundreds of thousands of people die every year of a cause that’s entirely preventable. What often goes unnoticed in these statistics is that a majority of people who attempt suicide actually suffer from an underlying mental health-related illness, that if caught in time, could have been treated and a life saved. And so, this year, 10th October marks World Mental Health Day, with a focus on suicide prevention.
Over the years, talking about mental health has been a taboo, often an easy subject to mock. Yet, we all know the impact that our thoughts and feelings can have on our everyday life. And that’s what’s important to understand – depression doesn’t just mean that you’re sad; anxiety doesn’t just mean that you’re scared. Instead, mental health disorders engulf our entire being. They affect not only how we feel but also how we think, how we behave, how well we’re able to concentration, our ability to make decisions, our confidence and self-esteem, our relationships, even our physical health.
No, people with mental illnesses do not have a character flaw or a weak personality. And it’s certainly not something they bring on to themselves or have any control over. Mental illnesses, just like physical illnesses, have a largely medical basis. An imbalance in the level of certain chemicals in our body along with life experiences and environmental influences make individuals vulnerable to mental illnesses, and they can happen to anyone at any time. But while getting afflicted with a mental illness may not be a choice, getting the right treatment certainly is. The evidence-based treatment for most mental health-related disorders involves medications along with psychotherapy and lifestyle management as indicated.
But the first and most important step to coping with any mental health problem is to accept it and talk about it. Talk about how you feel, don’t bottle it up. Doing so will help you express how to feel and reduce the feelings of isolation that often creep up in these circumstances. Doing so will make you realize that you are not alone and that there are people who are there for you and who understand you. Doing so will also be the first step to reaching the right expert and getting the help you require.
While most mental health-related disorders cannot be prevented, there are certain tips that each of us can use to ensure our emotional well-being:
- Invest in a strong social support system – take time out for the people who matter.
- Don’t bottle up your feelings – talking about your problems helps
- Stay away from substances – find more adaptive ways of coping with stress
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle – a good diet, physical exercise, and adequate sleep go a long way
- Take time out for yourself – play a sport or engage in a hobby that helps you destress
- Keep a positive belief system – our attitude towards life can often make the biggest difference
- Do a digital detox – spend some time away from gadgets and do things that you enjoy
- Seek professional help – if you feel like you’re struggling, remember that help is always available.’
— Dr. Samir Parikh
Fortis 24×7 Helpline Number: +918376804102
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Dr. Samir Parikh is a renowned psychiatrist, author and mentor. As the director of the Fortis
National Mental Health Program and one of the leading experts in the country, Dr Parikh has played a significant role in creating awareness and shaping the narrative of positive mental health in India He has written two books with us, Raising Confident Children: A 52-Week Guide and Laugh & Learn with Dr Parikh Study and Exam Skills
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