‍An optical instrument with two or more reflecting surfaces tilted toward each other at an angle, so that one or more objects on one end of the mirrors are shown as a regular symmetrical pattern when viewed from the other end, due to repeated reflection - sound familiar? As children, some of us played with or looked through kaleidoscopes. The patterns constantly change, allowing us to view many sequences of objects or elements. Kaleidoscopes, much like mental health, are constantly changing. In 2019, 1 in every 8 people, or 970 million individuals across the globe was a person with a mental disorder. Mental disorders are more common today. Some are visible, and some are not. With the growing challenges our country faces and the resilience that we all must endure at some point in our lives, it’s no mystery why mental health issues are so prevalent. As much as some countries and cultures embrace mental health, there are many that attribute mental health challenges to the influence of ancestors or bewitchment, some that see it as a weakness, some that do not understand it, and some that view discussing mental health as complaining. 

When working with various clients during my counseling career, I’ve noticed that mental health had a bad stigma no matter what race or culture. I’ve counseled various clients and always found someone from each race, culture, or country who was embarrassed, had been disowned by their family, or viewed their journey as a failure. Some would say, “if I prayed more, this wouldn’t have happened.” Some would say that this is their fault for not being strong enough because they knew someone who went though a similar situation and did not appear to struggle. No matter the culture, mental health is crucial as most individuals have the desire to be happy, healthy, and to be the best version of themselves possible. 

So, what are some ways that one can handle their mental health when their family or culture doesn’t embrace it? That question can depend on the type of individual you are and what you’re seeking, but here are a few tips:  

• Research 
• Think about it as you’re a person first - this issue doesn’t define you.  
• Get out of the house. 
• Seek support groups.
• Seek your purpose. 
• Find a licensed mental health therapist. 

Research 

First, do your research! Read research articles online about what mental challenge or diagnosis you may be facing. Learn more about it and remember that you can take the things from your research that you agree with and focus on those. Have a positive outlook on mental health as something good can come from this too. Maybe you discover something about yourself or realize that you finally need to rest instead of going through life without a break. Use this time to recharge. You can find scholarly articles on sites like Google Scholar or Scribendi. Also, you can go to the library or look up documentaries.  

Person-First

When thinking about mental health - think “person first.” You are a person before anything else. The mental health challenge is not who you are. Also, the people who stigmatize mental health may not be to blame. They have been taught a certain way and may not have been open to seeing a different perspective. Either way, we are all entitled to our preferences, which includes yourself. 

Go Play! 

Get out of the house. Getting sunlight daily, eating certain fruits like bananas or kale, and doing activities that you enjoy help to boost serotonin levels. Think about a time that you were feeling bad. Did you go get dressed up, shower, or go out with friends? If so, think about how you felt after. Usually, if it is a positive environment, we all feel at least a little better after getting out and focusing our minds on other things 

Find Your Community

Seek support groups through your local church, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Mental Health America, school, sports groups, or by talking to your primary care physician or a mental health professional. There are a lot of resources out there and individuals with similar challenges seeking community.  

We All Have a Purpose

What is your purpose? You may already know. If not, start to think about what you are passionate about, what makes you upset, what makes you happy, what would you do all day if money or time were not an issue? Then, think about how you can turn that into a hobby or a career. If you like watching movies, maybe try taking an improv or acting class. If you enjoy dancing alone in your room, maybe it’s time to find a dance fitness class or a choreography dance class within your community or online. Whatever it may be, it can help you to reduce stress, relax, and have a place that brings you joy. This all plays a part in mental health and wellbeing. 

Therapy, Coaching, & Mental Health Professionals

Therapy can be good as it comes in many forms. If you have trauma that you’re ready to work on, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy may be for you as it is used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and other areas. Also, there are other forms of therapy that can help you. Sometimes, talk therapy may be best, where you find a licensed therapist to talk to about your day and daily thoughts and see what happens from there. If therapy seems like too much, there are other alternatives like coaching. You can move at your own pace and talk through whatever it is that you may not be able to discuss with your loved ones. 

As time goes on, it may be possible to talk to your family or offer a new perspective on mental health with your loved ones. If not, you might find that you find peace within the community that you have created for yourself. Also, when operating within your purpose, you may find that as an outlet for you to process and deal with the challenges of the world that you may be facing. Find something that works for you and that you like. Keep exploring and looking through the kaleidoscope until something catches your eye. Decreasing the stigma can begin with you.