Today in NZ our clocks have moved forward by an hour. We now have more time in the light. The hours of darkness are gradually becoming shorter.
I think of light and darkness, and mental health, simultaneously. The World Mental Health Day is on October 10. Last week was Mental Health Awareness week in NZ. Per usual, we are again ahead of the rest of the world 😊.
When I was about to publish the first article on my blog site, a friend of mine said I should also write about the effects of lockdowns on mental health. I could not tell him that I was battling it myself, and would rather not write about it, just then. The thing about mental health problems is that we do not want to talk about them – be they our own or the problems of those we love and know. The number of ‘cases’ do not get reported on a daily basis in front of an audience on a podium. Covid-19 and lockdowns might have exacerbated the challenges with mental health but the issue was there long before Covid-19 and sadly will be around long after. No billions of dollars of investment or promises of vaccines.
Maybe we all struggle with overwhelming feelings sometimes. Maybe we have escaped from them our entire lives. I find that on occasions their grip on me is so strong that even my husband, the one who knows me best, cannot get through the walls of darkness that entrap me.
For when you are down, you are in the depths of darkness.
Some people sadly never come out of it. Some people struggle without knowing it. Some run away, sometimes literally, from loved ones who want to support them. Some do not say a word and pretend that they are ok.
Mental health is not only an issue for those who suffer from it, but also for those whose lives get affected by it. Because some, in their loving and supporting roles, end up being the most bruised and hurt.
Those stories are not mine to tell. But we all can find those stories, if we try.
Because even with the extra hours of light, we have in our midst those whose hours of darkness fail to get shorter.
Beautiful Vikashni:)
You are so deep as usual. You alwayd highlight very critical issues, and at the same time enlighte others imagination to think out of the box. Well done and keep going.
So true, loved it.
Many people suffer from mental health but shy to talk about. You were right on the point.
Light= hope