Burnout, chronic exhaustion, depression, anxiety, phobias—these are issues that many people deal with in their lives. And though awareness of mental health issues is definitely increasing these days, for some people, it’s still a taboo topic. Opening up about struggles, going to therapy, and talking about self-care is still something that some folks avoid doing because they see it as a sign of ‘weakness.’
It’s because the topic is still taboo for some that projects like ‘How Mental’ are so important. They bring the discussion about mental health to people’s social media feeds. They also add a comedic but relatable twist when they choose to tackle these issues in the form of memes. That way, the message ends up reaching more people.
Therapy should not be seen as something taboo or shameful. It’s important to recognize that seeking a mental health professional’s advice is not a sign that you’re ‘weak.’ Everyone, no matter how tough they are, needs support from time to time. As we’ve covered on Bored Panda recently, for instance, people with phobias need to reach out to a mental health professional if their fear becomes so intense that it causes anxiety and panic attacks.
Professionals who specialize in anxiety disorders, for example, can offer a wide range of treatments for their patients, whether that’s cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, or even medication.
The important thing here is to recognize that these professionals will not judge you for your struggles: they have a lot of experience, they’ve seen it all, and they’ll be very empathetic.
However, at the same time, it’s pretty critical to understand that not every therapist is going to be a good fit for every patient, and vice versa. Sometimes, their personalities or backgrounds simply aren’t a good match. That’s why patients should never feel guilty about asking to see another specialist if they feel like their needs aren’t being met.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that a therapist should mollycoddle their patients. A huge part of their jobs is helping others see their lives from different perspectives. This involves looking at both subtle and harsh truths, as well as dealing with lots of uncomfortable emotions.
Therapy does not mean telling a patient how wonderful they are all the time. It’s about helping them solve their issues and improving their quality of life by giving them the emotional tools to handle tough situations.
Aside from therapy, self-care is all about nurturing relationships, eating well, getting plenty of exercise, as well as spending time away from tech and out in nature. On top of that, what really helps is if you find purpose in what you do, whether that's your job, a fun hobby, or volunteering.
How do you ensure that you take care of your mental health, Pandas? Which of these memes did you resonate with the most? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
