World Mental Health Day: Why It Matters
Every year on October 10, we celebrate World Mental Health Day. Mental health is one of the most talked-about topics today, yet many of us still struggle to define what it actually means.
While writing this blog, I spoke with people from different ages, genders, and cultural backgrounds. What I found was that everyone had a different answer. This blog reflects my personal thoughts on mental health.
To me, mental health is closely connected to how we experience ourselves internally. We all face stress, difficult emotions, and challenges. However, when our thoughts or feelings become overwhelming for an extended period and we are unable to manage them on our own, it may be time to seek support.
The question then becomes: When should we seek help?
The answer is different for everyone. Just as we seek medical attention when our physical health needs care, we can seek professional support when our emotional well-being requires attention.
Mental health can be particularly challenging because it is often invisible. Unlike a physical injury, emotional struggles are not always visible to others. This makes it harder to recognize when help is needed and even harder to ask for it.
One reason many people hesitate to seek help is the stigma surrounding mental illness. It is often incorrectly associated with being "crazy" or "weak." As a result, many individuals suffer silently.
Today, many of our basic physical needs are met, but our minds face challenges from every direction. We are constantly stimulated, connected, and distracted. Somewhere along the way, many of us have forgotten how to simply be at ease with ourselves.
As my spiritual teacher, Sadhguru, often says, the mind is the most sophisticated instrument on the planet. The question is: have we learned how to use it consciously?
In my experience, support becomes important when we begin to recognize unhealthy patterns, repetitive thoughts, emotional suffering, or behaviors that we cannot change despite our best efforts.
Is Mental Well-Being Possible?
I believe it is.
Just as physical fitness requires regular effort, mental well-being also requires attention and care. The challenge is that mental struggles are often invisible. Someone can be experiencing anxiety, loneliness, or emotional distress while continuing to function normally in daily life.
The good news is that mental health support is more accessible than ever before. Professionals around the world are working hard to ensure that help is available to people from all backgrounds.
Seeking help is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of self-awareness and strength.
The Challenges of Modern Life
We live in a world filled with stressors: loneliness, financial pressures, global conflicts, environmental concerns, and the constant flow of information. While we may not control everything around us, we can learn to manage how much we engage with those stressors.
One of the phrases I often share with my clients is:
"You cannot pour from an empty cup."
We must care for ourselves before we can effectively care for others.
One of the questions I hear most often is:
"How do I stop thinking all the time?"
My answer is simple: we need to learn how to be, not just how to do.
Modern life encourages constant activity, comparison, and stimulation. Yet the tools we need for peace, clarity, and balance exist within us.
As Sadhguru says: "The only way out is in."
How I Take Care of My Mental Health
People often ask me what I personally do to maintain my mental health.
First, I recognize when I need support.
Second, I try to be honest with myself. Self-awareness is not always comfortable, but it is necessary.
For the past ten years, I have maintained a daily practice that includes:
Bhuta Shuddhi Kriya - a practice aimed at balancing the five elements
Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya - a structured breathing and meditation practice
Shakti Chalana Kriya - an advanced breath and energy practice
Samyama - a deep silent meditation practice
These practices require about two hours each day, but they have significantly improved my focus, awareness, and overall well-being.
I also follow a vegetarian diet, spend time outdoors daily, and volunteer regularly. These practices help cultivate gratitude, humility, and connection.
Like everyone else, I have only twenty-four hours in a day. I have simply learned to prioritize habits that support my well-being and help me show up fully in life and in my work with clients.
I also enjoy reading, journaling, cooking, and spending quality time with my family. These activities help me slow down, stay grounded, and reconnect with what matters most. Reading exposes me to new perspectives, journaling allows me to process my thoughts and emotions, cooking helps me be present in the moment, and spending time with my family provides a sense of connection, love, and support.
Equally important is maintaining healthy boundaries. Over time, I have learned to respect my limits and conserve my energy. This means being intentional about what I allow into my life and where I invest my attention.
Sometimes that means limiting my exposure to news or content that negatively affects my mental well-being. It means reducing screen time, being mindful of social media use, and stepping away from environments or relationships that leave me feeling emotionally drained. Instead, I choose to spend more time with people who genuinely care for me, support me, and bring positivity into my life.
For me, taking care of my mental health is not only about the practices I engage in, but also about what I consciously choose not to engage with. Protecting my energy allows me to be more present, balanced, and available for the people and responsibilities that matter most.
Another important aspect of my mental health is seeking professional support when needed. We all benefit from having a non-judgmental space where we can be heard, understood, and guided.
As a Marriage and Family Therapist trainee at Walk Intuit, my role is to provide that space for my clients. Every therapist at Walk Intuit is committed to creating an environment where people feel safe, supported, and respected.
Why We Celebrate World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day reminds us that mental and emotional well-being deserve the same attention and care as physical health.
More importantly, it encourages us to seek support before reaching a crisis point.
If you notice persistent burnout, prolonged sadness, repetitive negative thoughts, unhealthy behavioral patterns, excessive anger, social withdrawal, substance use, difficulty concentrating, or emotional distress, consider reaching out for help.
Remember, asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is an act of courage and self-respect.
You do not have to navigate life's challenges alone.
Your mental health matters. Please take care of it.
