What will people say?

Normalizing counselling for each of us to access mental health care without stigma and judgement.

Let’s ponder on a simple question; What would we do if a person faces a physical injury or illness?

For many of us, our first thought will be to offer help and seek required medical care. In most cases there is no question that the physical injury or illness is painful and that care and attention is needed, then why is it that we don’t deal with suffering of the mental and emotional kind the same?

In our society, mental health issues are often stigmatised and invalidated. We have to collectively understand that mental health issues are real issues that many people around us are dealing with in their everyday lives.

We all have emotions. Many of us may need external help and interventions at times. Therefore, such issues in no shape or form make a person weak. There shouldn’t be any shame when it comes to people seeking help for their mental health. Rather it should be appreciated as it takes courage and is a huge step towards wellbeing.

Understanding, compassion and empathy is very important in such cases, as most of the time mental health issues are invisible and dismissed despite being something very common. Normalising seeking help for any type of issue that people are facing is basic for the well-being of any society. Therefore, in doing so, we as a collective would help heal one another.

Most of us have heard of the phrase, “It’s okay to not be okay”. It’s time we practice it. With such understanding and progressive thinking, it is counseling and support for our mental health that should be normalised in our society, not the harmful notions surrounding it. From adjustment issues to emotional issues, counseling helps provide a safe space for dealing with diverse problems.

Everyone deserves such empowerment and support.