As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, October brings with it a day of profound significance: World Mental Health Day. It is a day for global conversation, for quiet reflection, and for a collective deep breath. In a world that often prizes relentless positivity and unyielding resilience, this day serves as a vital counterpoint, a gentle, yet firm, reminder of a fundamental truth.
That truth is elegantly captured in the phrase: “It is okay not to be okay.”
These five words are a permission slip. They give us leave to set down the heavy burden of pretence. They allow us to acknowledge the low days, the anxiety that whispers, the weight that feels too great to carry, without judgement or shame. To feel these things is not a failure; it is a part of the rich and complex tapestry of human experience.However, as the full message wisely continues, “it is not okay to stay that way.”
This is not a command, but an invitation, an invitation to hope. Acknowledging our pain is the first and bravest step, but we are not meant to build a home there. The second part of this statement speaks to our innate capacity for healing, growth, and change. It affirms that while our struggles are valid, they do not have to define our future.
So, how does one move from the first statement to the second? The path is illuminated by three simple, yet profoundly courageous, actions:
1. Reach Out. Healing is seldom a solitary pursuit. It begins in the connection between two people. This could mean confiding in a trusted friend, speaking with a family member, or contacting a professional. Extending your hand, whether literally or figuratively, is a testament to your strength.
2. Speak Up. Give voice to your feelings. There is immense power in articulating what you are going through, in hearing the words outside of your own mind. Speaking up dismantles the isolation that difficult emotions so often create and allows others to offer the support you may need.
3. Take the First Step. The journey toward wellbeing can feel daunting, but every journey begins with a single, decisive action. That step might be booking a doctor’s appointment, researching a therapist, committing to a daily walk, or simply saying aloud, “I am struggling, and I need help.” Do not underestimate the power of that initial, forward motion.This World Mental Health Day, let us all make a pledge.
If you are struggling, please hear this: your feelings are real, and you deserve support. Your story is not over.
If you are in a position to do so, let us pledge to be the person others feel safe reaching out to. Let us listen without judgement, offer support without condition, and remind those around us, through our words and our actions, that they are not alone.
After all, tending to our mental wellbeing is not a sign of weakness, but one of the most fundamentally human things we can do.
