For one to be whole, the mind should be in optimal condition with the body. Bodily health is not enough. That's how important mental health is.
Life's challenges put each and everyone of us in harm's way especially with regards to mental health.
Many of us battle mental health issues ranging from depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, etc.
The Misconceptions
A lot of people feel that once a person has a mental health issues like depression, it is synonymous to psychiatric emergency or danger.
This is as erroneous as it can get and because of this simple reason, many people who ordinarily would have sought for medical help shy away.
We also know that once one is diagnosed of a mental health disorder, he looses respect and whatever he does is viewed through the lens of the diagnosis. As such, any little error from the individual which is normal given the circumstances would be attributed to the mental health disorder, unjustly.
This discourages people from seeking for help because how do I say "I went to see a psychologist. People would laugh and mock me", they say.
So they man up or (woman up) and forge ahead without seeking any professional help.
Some institutions will not permit a person to work with them once there's a mental health issue involved while some organisations will not allow an individual to work in a leadership or other sensitive capacity. These also influences some individuals to insist on hiding their problems so as not to cost them their personal ambitions.
Also, many people judge an individual by appearance or finances and conclude they cannot be passing through depression because of how wealthy, comfortable or happy they look. As a result, such an individual is not believed when he opens up to a friend or neighbour because they wish to be like him and don't understand why someone who has all the owns will still be depressed. These set of people forget that not all that glitters is gold and that every one of us is fighting unseen battles which we may not speak out, even to our close friends or family.
Possible Solutions
These misconceptions should be a focus of medical outreaches and sensitisation programs so as to encourage openness and accessibility.
By so doing, mental health care is taken to the footsteps of people.
The consultation and treatment of mental health issues should be incorporated into health insurance schemes so as to make them free or subsidized and easily accessible.
Already, medical practice ensures the protection of patients secrets. More effort should be put in prioritising that of people who have depression whilst proferring solutions to the patient.
In addition, we should be our brothers keeper by being observant of those around us and noticing changes early enough.
Most importantly, we should not trivialize or mock people who open up. This would discourage more people from opening up and the cycle continues.