Beyond the Hashtag: Learning about World Mental Health Day and Becoming a Healthier You

World Mental Health Day, on October 10th, offers a crucial reminder to move beyond surface-level acknowledgments and engage in honest conversations about our mental well-being. In a culture that often masks real feelings with “I’m fine, thanks!”, the day urges us to prioritize genuine care for ourselves and others.

What really matters on this day is understanding how we can address the mental health challenges unique to modern Indian life.

A Look Back at the Past: How It All Started

World Mental Health Day didn’t just happen because of a new trend. The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) started it in 1992. WFMH is a global mental health organisation with members and contacts in more than 150 countries. The goal was simple but important: to promote mental health education, awareness, and advocacy against the social stigma that has surrounded this important part of human health for hundreds of years.

The day had a general theme for the first two years. But in 1994, Eugene Brody, who was then the Secretary General, suggested that the day have a theme for the first time: “Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services throughout the World.” This set a strong example. Every year, a new theme is chosen to draw the world’s attention to a specific, important issue. For example, mental health and older adults, or mental health and young people in an unequal world. This thematic approach helps focus efforts and resources where they are most needed.

In India, it has taken a long time for this day to be recognised. For a long time, people didn’t talk about mental health because it was seen as a taboo subject that was often mixed up with serious, long-term illnesses. The Mental Healthcare Act (MHCA) 2017 may have been the turning point in our national conversation. It made suicide legal and set up a legal framework for the right to get mental health care. This change in the law, along with more awareness campaigns, has slowly started to break down the long-standing stigma.

The Indian Context: Why This Day Is More Important Than Ever

There are many bright differences in India. We are a young population that is driven by ambition, family expectations, and the fast pace of a globalising economy. But we still have the burden of generations of “log kya kahenge?” (What will people say?). This clash of the past and the present puts a lot of stress on people.

• Academic and Career Pressure: The race for IITs and MBAs and the fast-paced world of start-ups put a lot of pressure on people to do well.
• Expectations from Society: Dealing with arranged marriages, social norms, and family responsibilities can cause a lot of inner conflict.
• The Digital Dilemma: Social media brings us together, but it also makes us compare ourselves to others, makes us fear missing out, and leads to cyberbullying.
• Urban Isolation: Even though millions of people live in crowded cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore, many people feel very lonely.

World Mental Health Day highlights that our mental well-being is just as vital as our physical health. Take emotional struggles seriously, just as we would with ongoing physical symptoms.

Swasthya for Sharir and Man: Tips for a Healthy Body and Mind

“Swasthya,” which means “health” in ancient India, always included the body, mind, and spirit. Here are some useful tips that will help both of them grow:

1. Get your Body Moving and Your Mind Calm

You don’t have to pay a lot for a gym membership. A 30-minute walk in your local park, some Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations), or dancing to your favourite Bollywood song can all help your body make endorphins, which are natural mood boosters.

2. 2. You Are What You Eat

Our grandmothers were right when they said that food affects how we feel. Opt for a balanced, sattvic diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. Cut back on processed foods and sugar, which can make you tired and moody. Don’t forget to drink enough water!

3. The Art of Digital Detox

Set aside time each day when you won’t use any technology, especially before bed. It can be hard to keep up with all the notifications and news. Take this time to read a book, talk to your family, or just sit in silence.

4. Welcome Satsang (Good Company)

Be around people who make you feel good. Talking to a close friend about your feelings can be more helpful than any medicine. Take care of your real-life relationships.

5. Practice Mindfulness and Pranayama

You don’t have to sit and meditate for hours. Just focus on your breath for 5 to 10 minutes to start. Pranayama (Anulom Vilom, Bhramari) and other practices have been shown by science to lower stress and anxiety, calming the nervous system.

6. Sleep is Important (Nidra)

Try to get 7 to 8 hours of good sleep. Create a bedtime routine, such as drinking a warm glass of milk or reading a little, to signal to your body that it’s time to relax.

Therapy: Not Just for “Problems,” But for Growth

A common misunderstanding in our culture is that only people with a diagnosed mental “disorder” should go to therapy. This is like saying that only people with heart disease can use a gym. We can work on our emotional and mental health by going to therapy, just like we work on our physical health by exercising.

Even if you think you’re “fine,” here are some reasons to think about therapy:

1. 1. It’s a safe place where you won’t be judged

Where else can you be completely yourself without worrying about being judged or giving someone “gossip material”? A therapist gives you support that is private and fair.

2. Get the tools you need to deal with life’s problems

Therapy provides real-life strategies to manage stress, improve your relationships by teaching you how to communicate with others, and handle tough emotions like anger and insecurity. It’s like having a set of tools for your feelings.

3. Get rid of generational baggage

We get a lot of our ways of thinking and acting from our parents. Therapy can help you understand and break free from bad patterns that run in your family, which will help you make a better life for yourself and your future family.

4. Increase your self-awareness

The most important journey is the one inside. Therapy helps you figure out what sets you off, what you’re good at, what you believe in, and what you don’t see. This self-awareness is the key to growing as a person and having happy relationships.

5. It’s proactive, not reactive

A “mental health check-up” can help you stay healthy and catch small problems before they get too big, just like a regular health check-up. It’s a way to invest in your long-term happiness and potential.

Let’s Keep Talking!

World Mental Health Day is not just one day; it’s a yearly reminder to prioritize our mental health every day. It’s a call to be nicer to both ourselves and other people. It’s a request to stop saying “I’m fine” and start saying “Actually, I’ve been feeling a little stressed.” It’s also a request to listen without judging when someone talks about their problems.

This year, let’s promise to get past the stigma. We should talk about mental health as freely as we talk about physical health. We should tell our friends, kids, parents, and coworkers that it’s okay to ask for help.

A healthy mind isn’t a luxury; it’s a must in the beautiful, busy, and chaotic world of India. And everyone, without a doubt, deserves to be truly swastha in body, mind, and spirit.

If this article spoke to you and you’re considering therapy, take the first step now by reaching out to our platform. We’re here to support you in your mental health journey—connect with us today to get started.

Hope Trust™ has been supporting people with emotional, relationship and psychological issues since over 20 years.

Click www.hopetrustindia.com to schedule an online session with a therapist.