Mental Healthcare: What can we do to break the taboo?

Demand for mental health care has been skyrocketing for years. The pharmaceutical industry is making record profits in the sale of antidepressants prescribed for serious psychological complaints and often vague diagnoses that make you wonder whether they really require the help of heavy drugs. But hey, we're not here to question the expertise of the people who studied long and hard for this. The fact is, an increasing part of the world's population is struggling with mental complaints that, in the vast majority of cases, can be remedied relatively easily. So let's explore why receiving mental health care is still a global taboo and how we can better deal with it, at least on an individual level.

What drives the rising demand for mental healthcare?

There is no easy answer to why increasingly more people struggle with their mental health in today's world. Perhaps it has something to do with the hardening of society, employers who put too much pressure on our shoulders, or the harsh expectations created by our environment. A combination of all these reasons is very likely.

With its social media and often misleading content, I believe that the digital age has the most significant influence on our youth and how they experience the world. Research shows that teenagers link their self-image to what they see and share on social media. This often leads to a very negative self-image and low self-esteem, resulting in various degrees of depression and other mental health issues.

The older generation often had to contend with their problems for a very long time, which at some point manifested themselves later in life. Various situations can trigger this expression or outburst of emotion, such as a divorce or job loss. However, in many cases, the real cause of the problem lies far in the past. The older generations, in particular, grew up in families where there was little room for emotion, and the taboo on mental health care was much stronger back then than it is today.

Of course, many more reasons sometimes drive us to the edge of insanity. We live in a world that often moves too fast to keep up. We should slow down from time to time instead of trying to keep up with all the expectations laid upon us. This is not an easy task, especially if we don't know where to start.

Why is inner work still taboo?

Although mental health has become more accepted these days, for many people, it is still a huge step to admit that they are struggling with themselves. We fight to keep ourselves strong, even when we are not. And society also expects us to be big and tough enough to hold our own. Our partners, children, employers, and friends all count on us when they need us. This puts enormous pressure on you and creates the expectation that you must be durable and keep moving forward. Until it becomes too much…

When we experience physical problems, it is customary to visit a doctor or hospital so that our pain or ailment can be solved professionally. Why don't we do that with our mental conditions and inner pain? Are mental problems seen as a sign of weakness or an exaggeration? The answer is probably yes. At least when we ask ourselves that question in our heads. We don't want to be seen as sick or weak when it doesn't show on the outside. We are afraid of judgment from the outer world, thereby only making the problem worse for ourselves.

Why does it matter?

It is just as important to think about your inner condition as your physical health. In fact, a large part of your physical problems can be caused by mental issues. In many cases, a large amount of cardiovascular disease can be linked to stress. New research also shows that chronic anger and anxiety have a profound impact on various physical functions.

Your physical health is not the only reason to turn to mental health care. Why continue to walk around with problems if you can get excellent help nowadays? You also want to live a happy and carefree life, right? Is your pride really worth more than being happy? Is your fear of judgment from others really what prevents you from living a carefree life? Let's look at what small steps you could take towards solutions.

The first steps to a better life

Recognition

Before you even consider getting mental help – in whatever form – you will first have to go through some other phases. The first stage is recognition. As long as you don't acknowledge that you have a problem and possibly need help, you can't work on anything. This does not mean that everyone has a problem to work on, nor does it mean that a problem has to be big enough to need help in the right direction. Recognition simply means admitting that you can't fix things alone and are in trouble with yourself. How you then proceed is up to you.

Motivation

Some people recognize that they have a problem but lack the motivation to do something about it. This can be for several reasons. Some people simply don't have the time or finances. This may seem like a fallacy when it comes to your health. Still, single parents with busy jobs also try to provide for their families and put themselves aside for everyone's sake. How can you expect them to step into the wild adventure called personal development?

Then there are also people who – as crazy as it may sound – know that they have a problem but (so they subconsciously think) feel comfortable with it. Solving problems often has consequences. They may lose their friends or come into conflict with their parents or partner when they choose for themselves. Subconsciously, all these reasons play a role in decision-making and eventual motivation to seek help. They want to, but also not. The advantages do not outweigh their disadvantages.

Motivation is, therefore, essential. You can't change anything without the right reason. If you do have that motivation, a world will open up for you, and it is up to you how you will experience your life from now on.

Who can help you grow?

Perhaps the question "how can I help myself?" is more appropriate here. It is not always necessary to call in professional help. You can make a start yourself. Talking to someone you trust and from whom you can expect helpful advice can take some pressure off you. Or try some meditation or breathing exercises to relieve your stress. Every step you take in the right direction is worth a lot. Change doesn't happen in a day, but you have to start before seeing results.

If you still feel that something needs to change, but you don't know what, there are countless ways to work on your personal development positively. Coaches are popping up like mushrooms these days. The range of self-help books is overwhelming, and new forms of therapy are regularly devised. There are therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, coaches, and a wide range of spiritual and holistic counselors who can contribute to mental health with their ways and expertise. You get to choose what is best for you.

I have a page on this website with book recommendations and videos that can give you a good start if you don't know where to begin. The list is regularly updated, so you can keep going with this for a while.

In addition, coaching and mental health care are also my fields of expertise. Coaching is aimed at the light and medium problems and can achieve excellent results relatively quickly. My sessions are focused on finding solutions rather than the cause of your problems. And you hold the answers to the solution yourself. Together, we can discover these solutions and increase your steps towards a more fulfilling life.

Suppose you have any questions or are interested in Solution-Focused Coaching. In that case, you can always contact me or schedule a free intake on this website.