“My chest felt tight and I was frustrated. I was having issues at work and started thinking about my employment, questioning if I would have to look for a new job and worrying about finances. As a man, this is something I just had to deal with and resolve. I needed to focus on resolving my issues at work. I wasn’t thinking about my mental health and talking to someone about it, would be a disadvantage to me. I was experiencing stress but I never saw it as anxiety. What is the definition of anxiety?”

All too often we experience daily stresses that impact our physical and mental health. We all have our own perception of mental health and this perception impacts how we deal with it. Many of us will maintain a level of ‘survival mode’ in order to get on with life and prioritise our responsibilities. We forget that looking after our mental health is a responsibility. Forgetting the mind, means forgetting the soul, subsequently forgetting your needs. When will we stop compromising ourselves in order to get by? Being in ‘survival mode’ can be helpful but we must be mindful of it being a temporary solution. If left unaddressed, our mental health difficulties can haunt us, leaving us feeling stuck in a pool of adversities that seem all too overwhelming to tackle. What could start off as a single issue, can heighten and perpetuate further difficulties. This can put us in a place where we can no longer ignore or avoid our difficulties as they are facing us head on.

Experiencing mental health difficulties can be foreign; it can trigger a variety of emotions and impact our behaviours as our worldview changes. How we once saw or understood things changes and we are left in a position of figuring out new ways to deal with life. We shouldn’t be left feeling like this is something we must do on our own. Seeking support does not take away your autonomy; you don’t just have to get on and deal with it. Our feelings should always be validated and this starts with ourselves. Don’t ignore what your mind is telling you; it can be warning you that something is wrong and perhaps things need to change. Understanding your mental health can come from guidance and support in understanding yourself. What does healing look like to you? What are your triggers? What boundaries and coping mechanisms do you have in place? Self-awareness is a key variable in growth and becoming more present in life. It allows us to invest in ourselves so that we can work on reaching our full potential. Ultimately, whatever goals we have for ourselves, the common ground is to fulfil our needs. We should try to invest more in our mental health when dealing with difficult situations in our lives. Lets prioritise healing our minds.