Breaking the Stigma: The Benefits of Seeking Counseling for Mental Health Challenges
Our emotional and psychological wounds are like cover stories for what our soul wants to achieve. Everyone has spiritual missions they want to complete in life. For example, if you fear rejection or doubt your self-worth, it will be hard to follow your spiritual goals. So, fixing these issues becomes part of your spiritual journey.
Everyone is on a spiritual journey throughout life, and no one is truly lacking in spirituality. However, we might stray from our path because of mental issues.
We all experience stress and anxiety, which are normal coping skills. However, the underlying issue lies in what causes these feelings of anxiety. We must recognize that we are spiritual energy beings, not inherently “crazy.” Various coping mechanisms, such as daydreaming, disassociation, panic, and depression, are how we navigate our inner struggles. Yet, these feelings are mere symptoms of deeper disturbances in our spiritual energy. Instead of solely treating these symptoms, it’s crucial to address the root cause—the imbalance in our energy. When our spiritual energy flows freely, we feel empowered and capable, but when it’s blocked or disturbed, we may struggle with negative emotions and even physical symptoms like fatigue or anger. By learning to heal our spiritual energy, we can experience transformation and a renewed sense of well-being. It’s important to remember that it’s impossible to feel bad and smile simultaneously, emphasizing the interconnectedness of our emotional and physical states. Through accessing resources and support, we can gain better self-control and pilot through challenges such as panic and anxiety.
I feel like mental health stigma is generally worse in India. I believe people have “adapted” more to mental health stigma—learned to live with it, changed their lives because of it. But I think mental health stigma is worse.
Out of the people who haven’t experienced mental health issues themselves, none of them understand enough for the ones who have suffered to talk without being afraid of judgment. The number of people they feel even a little comfortable talking to about it is probably around 10 percent.
I’ve come to realize that the people who cause others to hide their mental issues are usually just offensive, and that may help the people who suffer not take things so personally. When you realize these people are just hostile and not like everyone else, it’s easier to handle. But it’s tough because you know that most people who aren’t even that unkind probably won’t take your side either. So many of you never tell anyone about most incidents except therapists and counselors.
These aren’t the worst things to face because of stigma. After years of dealing with spiteful people, it becomes pretty tough. It may lead to OCD, which may lead to more issues with people. You may always feel the need to be cautious around others now. Maybe that’s not a bad thing, but it’s a way people learn to adapt.
To reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, we need to make it normal. Just like we visit a doctor when we’re sick, people should understand that seeing a counselor when required is also normal. Counseling should be introduced to kids early in school. We should openly discuss mental health and educate ourselves and others. Words like ‘crazy’ or ‘mental’ should be avoided when talking about people with mental illness. They should be treated with kindness and understanding. Often, people hide that they are seeking counseling, but there’s no need to be ashamed. Instead, we should talk openly about it to make it a normal part of life.
When you can’t handle your feelings or thoughts anymore, you naturally enter a fight or flight mode. Some people are more aware of their unhappiness than others, while some have it a bit easier (but still face struggles). Recognizing your distress can be a plus as it pushes you to deal with the root cause, which is your inner pain. Those who deny their pain never get a chance to do this, and as a result, they never get to heal.
Counseling and therapy are effective only when someone wants to change and is open to some constructive criticism, taking it in a positive way.
On top of that, it’s important to realize that counseling won’t turn someone into a saint or a perfect person overnight.
Each of us has our own unique quirks that a counselor can recognize and maybe even give a name to if it exists. But it’s ultimately up to the individual to decide whether they want to improve themselves or not. The counselor can only suggest things; the patient has to put in the effort to make changes.
You might already be aware of some of your quirks, and the counselor may uncover more during sessions. So, be prepared for some challenging revelations and hard work if you decide to pursue counseling. However, the outcome is likely to be positive—you’ll likely become a better version of yourself, whether it’s just a little better or significantly improved.
Counseling helps to paint a broader picture of how to manage and utilize what you can control and what you cannot. Discussing the effects can aid in processing grief related to the underlying issues causing the tense environment.
Here is how as a counselor I can play a significant role in helping an individual:
1) I listen only to you, paying full attention to what you say, your viewpoint, and your worries.
2) You can freely talk about concerns like sexual abuse or drug use, which you might not feel comfortable discussing in a group or public.
3) As a counselor I can understand your concerns better by asking questions based on your answers.
4) Your body language and tone help me make a clear and usually accurate judgment about how to proceed with counseling.
5) I suggest other treatments, Kriyas, breathwork, meditation and track your progress in real-time.
Are you facing any challenges? Does life seem hard to you, or are you suffering from a constant lack of happiness? If you are seeking help, you can book a session by visiting samarpanhealingspa.in or meeting me at Samarpan Healing Spa in Vakola, Santa Cruz, Mumbai.
Let’s navigate life together to a healthier, happier one! Don’t worry, I got you.
