The pandemic year and the lessons in mental health

2020, the year of pandemic and lockdown has brought unprecedented times that will be felt for generations to come – financially, physically and mentally. The mental health is one of the most neglected topics around wellness and healthy being. Thankfully the pandemic that brought with it changed lifestyle of staying at home and working through balancing the life and professional work, mental health discussions have gained momentum like never before.

As people are tied up at home and working from home, studying from home, the emotion turmoil and sharing the heart out has been emerging as the new normal now. People aren’t shying away from sharing their emotions and seeking help. The glaring need to be more sensitive towards one’s mental health is being stressed now.

The COVID-19 pandemic has reimagined the way we work blurring the line between work and life. #Worklifebalance #employees #remoteworking #virtualenvironment #Workplaceculture #futureofwork #futureofworklifebalance #COVID19pandemic #lockdownhttps://t.co/NPVt7ZnBCp

— The Workers Rights (@tworkersrights) October 6, 2020

Shikha Verma, a mental health advocate says, “Several conversations around mental health emerged in 2020. There was advocacy as well as mockery, but at least some noise was made.”

How can one be responsible and have a sorted conversation on Mental Health

• Don’t mix up the terms. If unsure about mental health conditions using ‘mental health issues’ is a more considerate way to go
• Avoid going in detailed discussion with half-knowledge. It can be more damaging for the other person
• If wish to offer support, first educate yourself about the specific mental health issues that the person is facing
• Have respect and show it
• No judgement and jumping to conclusions

Educating oneself and being sensitive around the issue is very important for providing adequate support. And so is sharing and seeking help. Mental health issues must never be equated to weakness. People are facing struggles even more as lives have come at a stand-still around four walls of our houses and the professional and personal pressure of doing it all and balancing everything perfectly is taking a toll on mental health of everybody at some level. This is the time to ask for help and offer help.