The Importance of Mental Health

Fr. Richard OMOLADE

There is an ancient Latin saying "Mens sana in corpore sana", that is "a sound mind in a sound body". It is a principle that many of us do not understand or take serious. This is because many people do not understand how the mind and the body work together, but they do and it is important to be conscious of this relationship and ensure a good balance. All around us, many people look physically fit but are emotional wrecks. This is not healthy. We need to be physically and mentally fit at all times.

 

Mental health is impacted by many factors such as stress, pressure at work and family challenges. To these, we can also add political and financial uncertainties. On the personal level, we can add one's inability to accomplish one's goal in life, lack of acceptance by friends, colleagues and even family members. The attendant result may be loss of appetite, irritability, feeling of loneliness, inability to sleep and even low energy.  If these issues are not attended to, they can lead to much greater problems. All around us, we have heard stories of mental breakdown or suicidal incidents, such as jumping into the lagoon, hanging oneself or drinking Sniper or other dangerous substances. Such individuals got to that stage because they became overwhelmed by their problems and saw no solution in sight. This often leads to a state of depression, that ugly feeling of sadness or emptiness when one is drained of all energy and motivation to do anything especially one's daily routine.

Experts warn that some people are in this state for many weeks and even months. The fact is usually the inability to engage in one's usual activities and sometimes withdrawal from people. Anyone in this state or with similar symptoms must seek professional help from medical professionals and mental health professionals. These experts are equipped to diagnose the root causes of the problem and recommend appropriate treatment.

 

Availing oneself of the services of mental health professionals is highly recommended but many are afraid of being stigmatized as "suffering from madness" and in the process shun the help that can bring them wholeness and health of mind and body. It is incumbent on the society, especially family members and friends to create an avenue of love and openness that can help people who are depressed to talk about their condition. This openness will help them to overcome the hurdles along their path and be disposed to receive available interventions.

 

Mental health should not be confused with Cases of spiritual possession or attack. While everyone needs spiritual counseling, depressed people will benefit from prayer and spiritual direction but they also need mental care. Everything is not demonic possession or attack from "village people". Life happens to all of us and Nigeria makes things even much more difficult. People of faith are not immune from depression.  In fact some happenings in the Church can be very traumatic as to lead some to depression. It is in this regard that we need to treat spiritual matters spiritually and medical issues medically. This message is for both flock and shepherd.

 

 Depression is not a death sentence but a medical condition that hinders the flourishing of human life and like other challenges to human existence, it can

be tackled and overcome. Anyone call be depressed because it shows we are alive and facing the challenges of life. In a country like Nigeria with numerous challenges and daily battles, depression is just around the corner. But we can get the much needed help to walk straight before turning to the wrong corner of desperation and hopelessness.

Everyone of us can suffer significant decline in our mental health without noticing it, or even denying that there is a problem. Lack of appreciation, and validation, constant attack from colleagues can ruin our mental health and sow the seed of doubt in our own self-worth. Pressure from social media can also compound the problem. This can happen to anyone, hence we must constantly discover our identity in Christ. 

We belong to God and having been made by him, we can be sure he will not abandon us. We have been made in the image and likeness of God, He is the source of our being and identity, not what or who the society says we are. Hence we should only look to God for validation and not the society or social media. It is important to put in one's best effort in all that we do. Once this is done, then we should not be unduly troubled. It is God's validation that is important and once we are at peace with him, then all is well.

 

To maintain good mental health, experts recommend regular exercise, good diet or healthy diet, avoid alcohol and drugs, get enough sleep, develop good coping mechanisms such as meditation and prayer, connect with others, that is, avoid being alone all the time.  Learn to set realistic goals since their accomplishment will boost your confidence, and prioritizes self - care. Remember, it is only when you are well that you can be of help to others and maintaining good mental health is a life-long process. Life gets better when we keep this in mind always.