Hello Chambers County,
humbled by the welcome I’ve received from all of you.
address stigma surrounding access, and challenge your own prejudices, all in
hopes to educate you, and hopefully encourage you and your loved ones to get
the help may need.
probably heard in the news or most likely as a hush in conversation between a
few of your closest friends. It is a loaded term with a negative connotation,
and if suggested many will assume they are weak in character or in some other
way flawed. To need mental health support is heavily associated with shame and
prejudice both individual and societal.
Health Organization (WHO), is “a state of well-being in which the individual
realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life,
can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his
or her community.” (see: https://www.paho.org/en/topics/mental-health) By this definition, surely we find similarities. For
instance, we have all experienced stress about our physical health, our job,
balancing finances, and caring for loved ones.
Mental health is part of the human
experience and no one is excluded – not even you. So let us learn much together
from our discussions through this column and encourage equality between
physical and mental health. Ignoring mental health and focusing on physical
health only is caring for part of ourselves, we deserve better.
If you have topics you wish to discuss, please feel free to
let us know. I will try my very best to help.
Take good care,
Catherine