How are you, really? Let's talk!

A startling 1 in 5 Canadians experience a mental illness in any given year. By the time Canadians reach 40 years of age, 1 in 2 will have - or have had - a mental illness.

Mental health, mental wellbeing, or mental illness may seem like relatively new phrases, but they’ve been around for a long time. They go as far back as 400 BCE when Greek physician Hippocrates started to treat mental illness as a physiological disease. Since then, psychiatry has progressed rapidly. Today, mental illness is successfully being treated with a range of therapies and medications.

However, the stigma around talking about one’s mental health is still very real. We often dismiss our feelings of sadness or nervousness in an attempt to ‘be okay’ and ‘be normal.’

It’s important to know that talking about your feelings isn’t a sign of weakness. In fact, it can be a way of coping with a problem you’ve been carrying around for a while. Being listened to makes us feel less alone. This can also encourage others to share their feelings too. Never underestimate the power you might have, even if it can help just one person. That in itself is reducing the stigma, step by step.  

Remember that you are not alone. On a special episode of Friday Night Reflections, Jamati members from across Canada shared their stories of overcoming mental health challenges.

There are other benefits too, like feeling heard. If you feel you cannot talk to friends or family, you can talk to a trained therapist, doctor, or even volunteers over the phone. They will listen without judgement. 

And if you are feeling stressed, remember to focus on your own mental health and practice self-care. Try some of these methods:

• Journal about your feelings
• Go for a walk
• Go to Jamatkhana with friends
• Practice meditation
• Try deep breathing exercises
• Limit screen time as much as possible
• Talk to a therapist 

Want to learn more? Visit our Health and Wellness page, which includes meal plans for your mind, podcasts that focus on happiness, apps for mindfulness and meditation, the mental wellness corner, and various other resources.

And don't be afraid to ask for help when things are not right. If you are struggling to find help or don't know where to start, contact the Health Navigation Service by calling ACCESS at 1-888-536-3599. If you are in a crisis, call 911.

Additional Resources

• Mental Health Resources
• Asking for help (Farsi) 
• Practicing Self-Care for Young Adults