Mental disorders are not uncommon in the general Singapore populace. The most common mental conditions Singaporeans suffer from include depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), anxiety and schizophrenia. In this thought piece, we explain why it is so important to talk about our mental health, which affects how we think, feel and act.
“Get over it. It’s just a bad day, not a bad life.”
“Don’t worry, I bet you will feel okay tomorrow.”
Unbeknownst to most, these seemingly innocuous platitudes cut straight to the heart of those suffering inside. Such trite and off-to-the-cuff remarks brusquely dismiss one’s emotions and callously invalidate one’s struggle to stay afloat.
A conversation on mental health is long overdue. More than one in seven Singaporeans will suffer from a mental health issue during their lives. That’s a sizeable proportion of society, and we can’t afford to let our people deal with their troubles alone. We need to talk about and properly understand mental health to avoid making careless and unsolicited comments that hurt. For instance, many mistakenly subscribe to the myth and proclaim that mental illness is a choice. To them, individuals with mental illnesses “overthink themselves to sickness”. But this couldn’t be further from the truth: mental health issues are medical conditions linked to chemical imbalances in our brain that affect our feelings and thoughts, functioning abilities and personal relationships. As we learn more about mental illnesses, we remove the stigma and toxic stereotypes associated with mental conditions. We dismantle the label foisted upon those living with the latter. As such, we need to bring to the fore regular and robust discussions on mental health and dispel any misconceptions we have about the latter.
When we dance around the matters of the mind, those with mental conditions feel afraid or ashamed of seeking help, let alone broaching the topic. Having an honest conversation about mental health and normalising the act of seeking assistance builds empathy and makes the topic less scary and overwhelming. Better yet, it will go a long way in helping those suffering from such illnesses. When we finally stop skirting around the matter and start a candid dialogue on mental health, it removes from the topic the taboo that forces those with mental illnesses to isolate themselves and endure in silence. When we make it okay to talk about mental health, individuals may become encouraged to open up about their feelings and vulnerabilities, which may in turn release some of their internal tensions. In this light, they may also become less ashamed or scared to seek help from friends, family or mental health professionals. When we quit tiptoeing around the issue, we open up opportunities for people to regulate their emotions, and for us to support them in times of need.
To move the needle on the bleak narrative currently surrounding mental conditions, it is imperative that we talk. We talk to make sure that we gain a nuanced perspective on the matter and properly delve into the world of mental health. We talk to lend courage to those who have been conditioned to stay quiet for the longest time.
Don’t let our emotions turn inwards. Let the thoughts that swirl in our heads talk.
