Growing up, I believed many things about health that, looking back, were just plain wrong!
One of the most significant misconceptions I carried was about mental health.
I used to feel mental health was about being ‘tough’ enough to handle the challenges of life. More like feeling invincible so people wouldn’t look down on you. I saw crying as a sign of weakness, asking for help as a last resort, and thought that anxiety and depression were things you could just snap out of if you tried hard enough.
But life has a way of teaching you. As I grew older and experienced life’s ups and downs, I started to understand that “mental health is health.” Just like you would not ignore a broken arm, you should not ignore a struggling mind.
I’ve come to realize that prioritizing mental health isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s actually a form of strength. It’s okay to set boundaries, take breaks, talk to a therapist, or lean on loved ones for support. Mental wellness is just as critical as physical fitness.
The journey to overcoming misconceptions might not always be easy, but it’s certainly necessary. I now make it a priority to take care of my mental health, and I encourage others to do the same.