Unfortunately in our society mental health is poorly acknowledged and often times treated as if it were a stigma. We don’t talk about it at home and certainly don’t talk about it at the office.   In order to address some of our society’s most pressing problems such as domestic violence, gun violence, and drug abuse, we need to talk about mental health.

First, emotions are normal, part of our everyday experience. Emotions have a range of intensity, duration and frequency. When have you ever met someone who can say (not appear) that they are happy every single moment of the day? For some people, the intensity, duration and frequency of emotion may be prolonged. Just like you may experience a cold that lasts three days you may experience one that last several weeks or more.

Talking about and identifying our emotions should not feel like a burden. It should be normal. In fact psychologist John Gottman points out that children that are “emotionally intelligent” (that is they feel comfortable identifying and talking about their emotions) tend to be successful in life. (Gottman, 2011). This doesn’t mean that people go on and on about their personal emotions, it’s that they can identify, and talk it about it when necessary. Think about it – would you prefer that a child act out in frustration by hitting someone or screaming, or by simply saying “I am frustrated.” Which is the healthier reaction? Recognizing and communicating an emotional experience allows a person to experience empathy, because they learn to understand what others may be experiencing. Empathy leads to understanding and compassion for self and others.

Just like physical health mental health can be treated with specialists – psychotherapists, also known as talk therapists, and psychiatrists who are medical doctors that may prescribe medication for mental health.  Ask yourself – if you had a cold for three weeks that was advancing to a lung infection, would you go see someone or would you let it to get worse? You would see someone. The same goes here.  If your emotions – whether it is anger, sadness, a craving for a substance -- seems prolonged, intense and is affecting your life in adverse ways, it probably means you should go see a behavioral health specialist.

Mental health is something we can ACTIVELY address and encourage others to address.  You eat healthy foods and exercise to prevent diseases, why not do the same for mental health? Take a break from chaos to exercise, eat right, relax, surround yourself with supports, and focus on your spiritual life.  All are aspects of staying mentally healthy and will increase your general well-being.

Mental health should not be a taboo subject. Gain a level of comfort talking about and identifying your emotions, and teach your children to do the same.  The results can have a long range impact, for you, your family and society.

Gottman, J. and Goleman, D. (2011). Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child, [Kindle Edition] Retrieved from: Amazon.com