World Mental Health Day 2022
On this World Mental Health Day, I wanted to take the time to reflect on what mental health means. If you know me personally you’d know that looking at the definitions of common words is one of my favorite things to do. Sometimes we simply need a refresher on our foundations. But that raises the question: is there a solid foundation of what mental health is? And if you follow my work at all, you know that in my opinion, there won’t ever be a perfect definition. Something like mental health is so personal - we define it based on our experiences, backgrounds, cultures, etc. And while there are a billion things and people that can say what mental health should be, I don’t think I can give you a certain answer.
Two years ago on this day, I spoke on a panel with the ex-Chief of Health of UNICEF (Dr. Stefan Peterson) and a bunch of other young leaders in mental health. We spoke about the state of global mental health and asked Dr. Peterson questions we had regarding it. As someone who comes from a mixed cultural background, this meant so much to me. Speaking about mental health is a difficult conversation to have one on one. And it’s even harder to have between culture and perspectives. However, the exciting thing about this panel was that despite the language barrier and overall life differences, we all wanted to be there to discuss the state of (youth) mental health. With the courtesy of citiesRISE, youth leaders from Bogota, Columbia, Seattle, WA, USA, Sacramento, CA, USA, Nairobi, Kenya, and Chennai, India, we all came together online to have a shared conversation.
That was the catalyst for the research I have been working on for the past two years. I’ve been on the hunt to understand how people across the world define mental health. There have obviously been overlaps in how people talk and define it -- and on days like today the window for reflection is offered once more.
According to the definition that The World Health Organization provides (which has recently been updated in June of 2022), “Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in”
Initially, upon first glance, that definition felt convoluted for a basic definition. And so I talked to Dr. Shekhar Saxena - one of the people who helped make the first definition back in 2001. Dr. Saxena is known widely in and out of the public health realm. Currently, he is a professor at Harvard but has spent a multitude of years at the WHO where he served as the Director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse.
In our discussion, I brought up the definition. He told me that “I don’t think people need to fit into the WHO definition, people need to take that as a framework and then see how it makes sense and gives meaning to what they feel, and in some cases that will be different but that’s okay -- so that’s exactly why I say that’s a public health definition it is not a definition of individuals mental health which one needs to think more about”
An example I used for a webinar I hosted with Human Kinetics last month
The moment he said that I realized that Mental Health is a framework of relationships. Our mental health is built on the quality of the relationships we have - our relationship with what we do (school, work, etc), our relationship with our backgrounds, culture, and religions, and our relationships with others and ourselves - these are all things that build the framework of the quality of our mental health.
Though of course; that is my personal understanding of mental health. However, I highly recommend you take the time to reflect on the relationships you have with the people and things in your life. The relationship we have with our culture, passions, and ourselves will influence the way we approach and view life. The quality (and effort to improve) of these relationships impact our mindsets. Our mindsets influence our ability to contribute to society. And ultimately all of these things build up to what our mental health is: a framework and network of relationships. While illness is another conversation - our circumstances and quality of life all fall into these categories. The point of all of this however is for you to reflect on what mental health means to you. How would you define mental health?
This World Mental Health Day, I’m helping raise money for the Rare Impact Fund with Rare Beauty from Selena Gomez, please consider donating! asked the Rare Beauty Ambassadors and Sam Garry (2022 MHA mPower Award Recipient) “what mental health/world mental health day means” to them. Here are their responses for inspiration :) Their Instagram handles are provided below!
“World mental health day is a reminder that mental health is health. from individual actions to systemic policy ones, world mental health day must be globally recognized for what it is: an initiative and propellant for promoting mental health equality!” Adia Fadaei - @adiafadaei
To me, World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to cultivate a safe, validating, and open conversation around mental health with those I love! Meera Varma - @meeravarma
Mental health means putting myself first and trusting that I know what is best for me in the moment no matter how others respond. It’s being able to advocate for myself and maintain habits/be around others that help me consistently feel my best. It’s also feeling my emotions on the hard days, showing myself compassion, and not letting a hard day, week, or month define me. Katie Gorton - @katiegorton
you are seen. you are important. you are strong. and, you are not alone. Catherine Delgado - @cath.delgado
To me world mental health serves as a day for me to celebrate my mental/emotional growth over the past year. I think for everyone this day is a reminder that any personal growth, big or small, is worth recognizing. And for people that lack the means to access mental health education and support, this is our reminder to expand our resources to them so that they too can commemorate their growth on this day every year forward. Arthy Suresh - @arthysuresh
Mental Health is health and should be treated as urgently, as physical health. Davida Padi - @hellodavip
Mental health enables each and every one of us to empower ourselves and those around us. mental health is not and should not be a discriminant but instead a powerfully unifying force. Celeste Penney - @celestekrp
I believe it’s critical to join together and look at people’s differences as strengths that unify us as humans rather than things that set us apart from each other. After all, you never know what invisible battles someone may be fighting, so it’s important to show your support by promoting inclusivity & amplifying empathy across the community at large. Being a source of light, hope, & positivity in someone’s life and “killing 'em’ with kindness”… that’s what’s going to change the world for the better, for everyone, everywhere! So, go out there & make every day Mental Health Day! Shreyaa Venkat - @joinnest
For me, world mental health day is twofold. For one, it’s a celebration of the incredible work we, as a community, have done to empower individuals across the globe to support their own mental well-being. With that said, world mental health day is also a sobering reminder of the work that we have yet to do. While our progress so far has been significant, we must continue to use our collective voice to support those in darkness. Sam Gerry - @samvgerry