blogging, Community, Mental Health, Motivational

Moksha Asks for Mental Health Day

Forestwood

For World Mental Heath Day last week, Moksha asked:

* The country I live in? – Australia, Down Under, Aussie, Oz.

* An incident that taught you the importance of taking care of your mental health

Recognising that a victim of abuse, or domestic violence, be that of any gender, may be at risk of turning their grief, guilt and intense negative emotions, in on themselves.

This may result in various forms of self-harm, addiction or self-punishment. Such a response can be a way for the sufferer to override or cope with the mental pain, and anguish, they are experiencing. Some descend into depression. Recognising the person is not merely attention-seeking, feeling sorry for themselves, or acting out may help.

Richard Rohr believes,

If you can’t transform pain, you transmit it.

Sufferers often need support to find ways to channel their energy towards making changes, instead of defaulting to self-destruction.

Excuses like, “we have all done it” are sometimes used by perpetrators of violence against others to justify their behaviour. Such thinking abrogates and surrenders responsibility to luck and is of little help in the rehabilitation of the victim, or the perpetrator.

*Any 2 or 3 ways in which you take care of your mental health?

  • Building human relationships can be helpful for various mental health issues. This may especially help those for whom meditation or medications do not sit well. We are, by and large, social beings, even if we are introverted or shy. Often, people want to feel connected and to feel loved.
  • For some psychiatric patients, medications don’t help enough without social support. Communities can play a role in giving everyone the attention they deserve. Breaking down the barriers and taboos around mental illness can be incredibly healing and powerful.
  • Studies have observed that gentle, caring and kind people are the ones most vulnerable to suffering burnout, depression or anxiety. If you fall into these categories, it can be helpful to be on the lookout to find ways to modulate your kind behaviour to give yourself time out.

Published by Forestwood

A philosophic Aussie writes here at StPA, one who will readily admit to loving Scandinavia. I'm interested in global politics and what drives us to be who we are. Scratch the surface and you'll find a practical Environmentalist with an egalitarian bent, trying to unleash a little creativity via the written word. Scandinavian culture, literature and traditions are close to my heart, even though I'm Australian. Travel and courteous discussions greatly broaden the mind, so I travel if I can and am always up for a vigorous, respectful discussion. I'm an avid reader, a writer and I enjoy photography and crafts, particularly traditional art forms. I hope you'll find 'Something to Ponder About,' in my WordPress Community.

43 thoughts on “Moksha Asks for Mental Health Day”

  1. Pingback: Sunday Reflections – Something to Ponder About

      3. Although Trompie gave you reasons to walk, it seems that walking is almost a universal treatment for so many emotional and physical issues. (Unless you have a broken leg or foot). I plan to do as much as I can until my body stops co-operating.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. I’m the same. I’m walking with a walking stick since I’m walking on my own now. It helps me to keep my balance because at times I just want to stumble and that’s when I fall. I don’t care what people say about not walking with a walking stick. It’s me and not them.

        Liked by 5 people

    2. You are spot on, Brian! Getting the body moving is an excellent prophylactic for mental illness and longing. It can be very difficult though, as that is often the very last thing the person ‘feels’ like doing. I guess finding a type of exercise they are either interested in or feel is less bothersome would be prudent. Have you found any particular form of exercise useful?

      Liked by 3 people

      2. Yes! Adrenaline can do untold damage to your body. Some people suffer high blood pressure, some lose hair, or develop anxiety from repeated surges of adrenaline from work related stress. If we aren’t flying or fighting, we do need to work off that buildup somehow, as you said. A “brisk” walk is a fantastic and practical way to do this. I have even run to the shop (to get lunch) and back in a short lunch break, as long as I had time to eat my lunch and cool down again….

        Liked by 3 people

    1. I love to hear that counselling and medication combined works really well. One without the other seems less successful. The medicines act on our bodies, but it is harder to medicate thoughts away. It is a testament to your beautiful spirit that you have mastered those experiences.

      Liked by 3 people

      2. I hear you! Assuming that the strong people will always be okay isn’t always the correct assumption. Everyone has a tipping point and putting on that strong mask takes its toll. Everyone can do better with support.

        Liked by 3 people

    1. It puts a different slant on viewing others suffering from mental disorders and issues, doesn’t it, Shalini. Consideration of others, instead of judgements, is helpful in the longer term.

      Liked by 2 people

  7. Mental health is a very important topic and glad you covered it. It can be a journey when one isn’t in the best of mind frames and is constantly searching and looking for the path ahead. Sometimes you might not even realise you might be in such a situation until quite some time.

    I agree that good relationships can be a great support to one individually and their mental health. It can help to talk things out with a trusted someone or simply just enjoy time together. Medication can be a tricky one as, well to put it simply, it’s not one-size-fits all – so there needs to be awareness of potentials and consequences in these instances.

    At times the nicest and most caring people could be the ones overextending themselves looking out for others, prioritising themselves less. I think it’s important to have boundaries with yourself and with others. Make time for yourself, for work and play, and for others. This can be easier said than done in collectivistic cultures. Growing up with Eastern ideals, it was the norm to put family, communal dynamics and expectations first ahead of individual pursuits.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. You are so right about boundaries being important. It is interesting that individual wishes are put behind the needs of the many, in Eastern ideals. I wonder if that means those with mental issues might be less likely to come forward?

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I think so. In Eastern cultures generally mental issues are not spoken about openly, often seen as weakness. When you can’t talk about your problems, that can make you feel alone – and all the more challenging to prioritise mental health.

        Liked by 3 people

      2. I do feel for those with mental disorders. I remember hearing about the N.E.E.T’s in Japan. A cohort of youth, who are not in education, employment or training and wonder how many of them might have mental issues that they find difficult to address. I just looked quickly at the stats and Australian seems to have an equivalent number of NEETs – as Japan, but our total populations are of course vastly different. The unemployment benefit in Japan cuts out after 3- 6 months. A difference there too.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. It is interesting to hear about the statistics. I do think mental illness is something that isn’t always addressed as much as here in Australia, and in general Japan has a high suicide rate. There are many cultural and social expectations to live up to in many Asian countries, and it can be hard to talk about such expectations.

        Liked by 2 people

  8. I worked in community mental health, mostly with people who had psychoses. A multi-faceted approach seems to work the best with all agencies, the patient and the carers, being in communication. In my specific field medication was most effective but really complemented by therapy (if appropriate), community centers, support groups and good medical staff. When I moved to Texas, I volunteered at a psychiatric hospital and was horrified at the lack of help in the community. Still horrified but the stigma is lessening. Great post!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thanks Kerry. I like the sounds of a multi-faceted approach as opposed to a one size fits all treatment. It is so sad that you found a lack of help in Texas and wonderful that you were able to put your skills to use. It sounds as if they needed volunteers like you, desperately. I do think based on my own experiences with friends and family that community and support groups are a great complement to medical treatments and therapy. Although I note that some community initiatives don’t always have the desired outcome. As time goes on and there is more research and less taboo around mental health I feel positive that we are moving in the right direction. It is simply terrifying to think of some of the practises they thought might help earlier last century. And you mentioned the carers – they often suffer as well and need support as much as the afflicted patient.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. You touched on an important part of care – support groups and carers. My mum had electroshock treatment that seemed to make her worse not better and there were no anti-depressants available back then. Good to see your post on this subject.

        Liked by 3 people

      2. Your Mum must have been through a lot in those days. I had an Aunt who was also given this form of treatment for depression/bipolar. It didn’t help, but I believe they still use it here in Australia! Albeitly rarely and as a last resort. Jack Nicholson’s movie role really directed the spotlight on its ill-effects.

        Liked by 3 people

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