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Mental Health is often surpassed by us in the hierarchy of other illnesses, other visible illnesses that seem to command more attention owing to this visibility. But decreasing mental health manifests itself in so many ways that it isn’t even possible to demarcate it by a particular kind of physical identity. Mental Health can start from a very nascent block of being ‘too hard on yourself’ and go to a point where ‘you don’t like yourself anymore’. The steps in between make for a gruelling and challenging ride. So when Tilly Matilda from Sweden decided to chart the very difficult territory of mental health through illustrations, it was such a welcome way to discuss something this pertinent without the overarching loom of dismay and hopelessness. Here are 7 examples of her work that bring the tough conversations around mental health in an effective yet not-so-dark way.
One of the most important aspects of realising you need help is by recognising that very fact. And by acknowledging it to your loved ones you are embracing a bond of trust that will take you to a healthier place in your life.
It is true that loving yourself is tougher than actually loving another; who knew that we are all closet commitment phobes with ourselves? Even though the road to loving yourself may be long and turbulent, it is so worth it. Be your own hero, be easy on yourself, and forgive yourself. You owe it to yourself.
In our long lives we encounter broadly two kind of scenarios: one that we have a control on and the one which we have no control on. It is imperative to detach and not let the latter bother us because no amount of stress can fix what is not in our hands. Disassociate, detach, and don’t dwell.
Just like we don’t dismiss a very overt illness, we shouldn’t dismiss mental illness by claiming it to be something that is “in someone’s head”. It is something that envelops the very identity of a human being, and to be cavalier about it is being not only insensitive to our loved ones but also betraying the trust they have opened us to, with.
Mental Health often manifests itself in symptoms that may seem perfunctory at the very beginning, but eventually transform into something paralysing, so it is important to pay heed to every little lifestyle change that we observe for ourselves, and also for those around us.
At times when we are crippled with anxiety and depression, it is very important to know that there are a multitude of things we can derive joy from. Even though that pail may look empty compared to the outgrowing depths of that which affects us negatively, we must never negate the existence of things that bring us happiness. In moments of absolute despair, they are your guiding light.
Ultimately, we all need to love ourselves. Even at our darkest, at our worst. We cannot deny ourselves the true happiness of being comfortable in our own skins even if that means banishing things that prove to be a deterrent. Only by loving ourselves can we truly be at peace, and we can only love ourselves if we begin to accept that who we are is a product of us trying our sincere best.
