Mental health has often been interchangeably used to mean mental illness. This was confirmed by a report by the Taskforce on Mental Health in Kenya conducted in 2019. Before I came to understand about mental health, I experienced first-hand a friend go through a very difficult moment with bipolar disorder, something that I came to later learn that affects the mood and prevents one from functioning well in the normal day to day activities and had affected the neurotransmitters of the brain, thus requiring medication, normally termed as Serotonin Selective Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Given that the uptake of mental health services is still low compared to the burden the country bears, it just goes without saying that there is a great need to understand what really mental health is and how we should respond. By "we" I mean everyone who is concerned about living a better life, meeting their goals and reaching their potential and contributing to the community at large.
I have always been fascinated about how the brain works. Every part and region are so intricately fashioned with great detail and precision that is aimed to function and coordinate other parts of the body. Think of the brain as an organ, just like any other organ in the body. It still intrigues me that other parts of the body receive so much attention than when it comes to the organ-brain. I am yet to hear of someone being stigmatized of Kidney failure or bronchitis or gut issues. Even so, just as other parts of the body have a remedy when they malfunction, so does the brain. Anyway, back to how the brain works.
Mental health is concerned with providing care and nurturance to the brain. That means that there are certain desires, goals and aspirations that we have that were it not for a functioning brain, we cannot reach them. On the flip side even when we have reached them, there is still untapped potential of the brain that humans need to experience, and this can only come through intentional and purposeful investment in skills that support us in addressing hinderances. Therapy is one fantastic way of doing this. From developmental point of view, our childhood experiences and how we are socialized give structure and shape to how we respond to relationships and life issues that are difficult. We sometimes do not know this until these responses show up during times of difficulties and conflict, what is referred to as automatic thoughts.
Working on aspects of us that require attention means that we take advantage of the brain's capability of rewiring itself, that is, neuroplasticity, where brain circuits can be retrained to think in better and productive ways that are beneficial to us at a personal level and community level. Therefore, mental health can be said to be a continous nurturing of the brain that facilitates better living and a driver to achieving human potential. At this point now allow me to say that with individuals who experience mental illnesses the interventions may be different, but all geared toward to the same goal: restoring you to functionality so that they too can achieve their potential.
Therefore, mental health can be said to be a continous nurturing of the brain that facilitates better living and a driver to achieving human potential.
Anyone can be a candidate of Mental illness, including children. It is therefore important to find ways to continue maintaining our mental well-being and busting the stigma around mental health by attending therapy and forums that can elevate our understanding and better still rewire our attitude towards mental health.
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