In honour of World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10, I figured it was only fitting to feature a mental health and wellness-inspired column. It is a message that hits home for me and many others.
While on duty as a journalism student at SAIT a few years back, I attended a mental health symposium for one of my assignments. I’ll never forget one very apt statement that was made at that event, when a presenter advised the audience that everybody in the room has mental health.
This may seem like an obvious statement, but to many people, there is a stigma attached to talking about mental health. Many, including myself at one time, believe mental health is only a subject for those struggling with mental illness. But that isn’t true.
Every human being on this planet has a barometer for their own mental health. On some days and for some people it is bordering on wellness and for others, at times it may be bordering on un-wellness.
There are various factors that impact this barometer (of which I’m sure you are familiar) including social connectivity and community, spiritual well-being, physical needs including nutrients and hydration from food and water, physical activity, and so much more.
However, anyone’s mental health at any one time can be impacted by factors outside of their control such as the loss of employment, the death of a loved one, or the onset of a sudden illness. That’s not to mention the detrimental effect that modern-day living has had on mental health. Living in a highly competitive world with the pervasive influence of social media is a huge contributor to our current mental health crisis, in my opinion.
And then there’s the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our mental health. From the collective fear campaigns to forced isolation, many communities saw a detrimental rise in suicide and overdose-related deaths.
According to the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), young adults experienced a “substantial increase” in mental health concerns during the pandemic, including reported poor mental health and increased stress.
In addition, many young adults suffered from disruptions to mental health services they had access to prior to the pandemic. This is just one report of many I found in my research.
The truth is, we don’t have insight into the true burden others bear at any given time, or the effect these burdens have on that individual’s barometer of mental health.
That is why I believe it has never been more important than right now to exercise compassion for others.
At the core of compassion is love. I have seen firsthand how love can cast out fear, sadness, bitterness, and unforgiveness. It can truly heal the wounds of our hearts.
As the Beatles’ song goes, “All you need is love. Love is all you need,” and I think they were right on that front.
