A Love Letter on World Mental Health Day 2024

Let's become aware of our own emotions, and allow ourselves to learn from them.

Since 1992, the world has been celebrating a special day dedicated to mental health thanks to the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health—and today is that day: October 10th.

The main purpose since its creation has been to bring ‘global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma.’ After 32 years, advancements in society’s mental health department have been made, but we must acknowledge that this is only the start of a journey we all need to take part in for the sake of humanity. 

It’s only in recent years that opening up about mental health and sharing about our own emotions (be it at home, at school, at work, or in therapy), has become more accepted and encouraged, to the point where people are actively talking about it, promoting it and educating communities everywhere to embrace this topic. 

New studies appear every year showing us how mental health is one of the most important assets to being a happier human, and also one of the biggest public health problems in the world. Modern lifestyles are also negatively impacting our mental health on regular basis, both individually and collectively. Despite how bad it might look, efforts to better understand mental health are everywhere, and it fills me up with hope.

We’ve all heard our parents and grandparents say phrases like “old times were much better. Life was calmer and healthier.” Even though I don’t fully agree with this statement regarding certain aspects of society back then, I can agree that in many other ways, they were probably right. Nowadays, it’s common to see city living as the norm in many locations around the world, where thankfully many people now have better access to education and working opportunities compared to our ancestors.

However, this has come at a cost…and that’s our mental health. 

We are living rushed lifestyles in cramped buildings and small spaces—both at work and at home—where exposure to nature, fresh air and natural sunlight are highly restricted. Owning a little piece of green has turned into a luxury. We enjoy certain comforts but the quality of our physical activity, sleep and nutrition have been slowly compromised, becoming a chronic issue with long-term consequences. 

I’ve been thinking about this for a while now. Mostly because a year ago, after 13 years of living in a big city, I started feeling for the first time how the city was becoming too tight, too narrow, too saturated somehow. Despite the Mediterranean ambience, it all became unhealthy and far from ideal. In an unexpected turn of events, life took me to Scotland, and little did I know how the extensive, raw exposure to the Scottish nature, weather and lifestyle would change my body, but most of all…my mindset. Scotland taught me this big lesson over the last few months and it has changed something deep within me.

Only now, after a year of experiencing the calmness, power and freshness of these lands, have I been able to grasp how much I needed to prioritise my mental health in ways I hadn’t done before.

I’ve always been the kind of person who tends to therapy and deep emotional talks as needed. I’m no stranger to mental health issues, as I shared in last year’s World Mental Health Day post (link below), where I wrote a raw, vulnerable and personal share that I’m still proud of. And I want to bring it here today for the sake of my growing community’s mental health, and for anyone reading this post:

---

---

Mental Health is a major part of being human.

Scientists, researchers, mental health professionals, teachers, activists, families, individuals and beyond, keep doing amazing work to help break the heavy stigma in the words ‘mental health’. There’s still so much work to do, but I want to believe (and acknowledge at the same time) how much we have been able to do up to this point. It’s been 32 years since World Mental Health Day was created. It could seem just like a calendar day, but in reality is a greatest stigma-breaker effort created back then.

We all know that this work never stops. The efforts towards mental health awareness only continue to grow. The tireless believers like myself are always ready to open up this huge conversation, anywhere and everywhere.

This work matters. 

Mental health matters. 

As humans, we live in this marvellous machine called the human body. We’ve been traditionally taught that everything about the body is simply physical. An amazing anatomical machine. But it’s also filled with emotions, thoughts and feelings.

We now know that body and emotions are not separate, and now we can talk about it. We are collectively changing patterns that have lived in society for centuries, so it’s only natural to see these changes sprouting.

I couldn’t feel happier about this all, and I only hope that my work here will continue to reflect my efforts to keep bringing awareness, openness and education on these vital topics. 

Today I want to dedicate this newsletter filled with love:

To every single mental health professional who dedicates their soul to this work, helping others find joy and purpose in life. It’s a beautiful chain of love that will only keep expanding forever. And life can be such an extraordinary journey if we are shown how to open up ourselves and our hearts through it all.

To every single person who has felt the crippling claws of mental health issues, big or small. We’ve all been there somehow, one way or another, regardless of age, gender, religion or nationality. Mental health issues have no borders, no colour, no boundaries. 

To everyone who suffered from mental health and didn’t make it to the other side of the journey. Every single soul (and their loved ones) who drowned in the dark, savage pains of emotional distress. I want to live and evolve in honour of each one of them who couldn’t continue the journey.

To everyone who has felt it in their hearts to go out of their way to help someone in emotional need, regardless of your situation, relation or occupation. You have saved more lives than you know.

To every human being who is struggling with any kind of mental health issues, I want you to know:

• You are not alone.

• You can ask for help, even when it feels impossible.

• There are good people out there always willing to help. 

• There are so many tools these days to help one another, starting with compassion.

• I know it’s scary, but please come forward and talk to someone (myself included).

• We’ve all been there one way or another. Let us support you.

• What you’re going through has solutions. Together we can find them.

• The way you’re feeling right now, can change completely in the most unexpected ways.

• It takes courage to change, but I know you got it in you. Let’s find it together.

• You don’t have to go through it alone. 

There’s so much we can do for mental health, no matter our occupation or situation.

A gesture, a smile, a loving question, a hug, some support. We don’t have to be rich to be able to help. All we need is to simply remember we’re all human. We all go through seasons. We all deserve love, help and support. I’m convinced that we can all make a huge impact and create lasting change. 

Mental health doesn’t care about your titles and your status, your bank account or the brands you wear. It doesn’t see through your religious or political beliefs. Mental health is in us all. It’s a massive part of who we are. The less we see through every tag and filter that society has created, the more mental health we’ll find, starting with ourselves.

I’m a science person, and I also believe in the ability people have to come together and understand the basics, to feel empathy and help each other. It’s in our nature. Even when the world feels so dark at times, there’s empathy, emotion, and light. 

May my words today help you make a small reflection about your own mental health, about your beloved one’s mental health. To help with this even further, let me share 3 simple ideas with you.

How about…

1. Next time you see someone crying, why not ask if they need a hug? When we’re navigating low, emotional moments, we struggle to ask for what we need. Something as simple as a hug could save someone from drowning in their emotions while trying to grasp some air. 

2. Next time someone yells at you on the street or at work, try not reacting in the same way and instead, try counting to 10 before expressing your most immediate thoughts. It could save you (and them) from a day of anger and frustration. Most of the time, anger is sadness with a costume.

3. Next time you feel like judging someone (including yourself), try going to the nearest mirror and have a good, loving look at yourself. More often than not, judgements are only some of our inner fears being directed to the outside. 

If you remember these three little exercises next time you’re out in the world, I would feel immensely accomplished. May this post serve as a loving reminder in the next weeks, months and years to come to prioritise your own mental health.

Let’s make a deal together:

Let’s become aware of our own emotions, and allow ourselves to learn from them.

Until next time,
Dr. Mariana

If you’re needing resources on mental health, here is a good place to start.

---

---

Cover image credits: Unsplash