Why mental health matters more than we think

If you had a physical injury, you’d treat it, right? So why don’t we apply the same logic to our mental health?

Mental health is a state of psychological, social, and emotional health that can heavily influence how one may think, act, feel or cope in life. Everyone experiences it differently - one day you can feel like you’re thriving and the next you might find yourself struggling. This blog is here today to let you know that mental health isn’t optional, it’s essential to upkeep.

You might be wondering, how can I tell if I’m not managing myself well? Here are some telltale signs on what to look out for such as major changes in appetite or sleep, anxiety manifesting as physical pains, social withdrawal, emotional exhaustion, or even dissociation. These signs can heavily affect productivity, cognitive functions and your personal relationships. However, the way you feel does not mean anything is wrong with you. Feeling these emotions can be overwhelming and naturally you withdraw to your comfort space. Although that may feel safe, staying in your comfort space for too long can limit you. Easier said than done, but let yourself grow. Growth begins when you stop neglecting or hiding from your pain. 

Why is it typical for people to neglect how they feel? A large contribution to this issue is stigma. Many have grown up with the idea of having to just “tough it out”, but this approach is often ineffective. The truth is, you’re a human with emotions - you’re supposed to feel. Humans are also social beings, you’re allowed to share how you feel with others. On the other hand, some might not even be aware of what is going on in their mind. Mental health tends to be quite sneaky and everyone reacts differently to it. One might fear it so much they even deny it exists. One might be ignorant and not believe anything is going on with themselves. And one might be aware but choose the wrong coping mechanisms. Either way, mental health is prevalent and tends to hinder daily functioning. By spreading more awareness and finding support we can begin to take better care of ourselves. 

What are the consequences of neglecting mental health? If the mind and body isn’t taken care of, symptoms can worsen over time. This leads to more sleepless nights, strained relationships, and eventually you reach burnout.

The first and most important step in order to help yourself is to become aware of what your body is trying to tell you. Stress management is key here. It can be hard not to feel guilty when taking breaks, but in reality rest is necessary. It may even be that you need a whole day to recharge and that’s completely okay. When you set these boundaries for yourself and the people around you, life feels a lot more manageable. You are no longer waiting on yourself and nobody is waiting on you allowing you to move at your own pace. Treating yourself with kindness and respect can make all the change. Allow yourself to sleep, eat, and stay active. Limit time on social media. Try out therapy. Write things down. Make things feel doable, not overwhelming. Not everything has to be worked on at the same time - a little bit is better than nothing.

Mental health isn’t optional, it’s essential. It’s okay to ask for help, don’t hold it all alone.

Access Millennium Campus Network’s Mental Health Lines (free, 24/7 or extended-hours mental health support resources by country) here: https://sites.google.com/mcnpartners.org/mentalhealth/home

Kira Lingwood

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Article written by Kira Lingwood, Campus Director of class of 2025 from Häme University of Applied Sciences