Mental health is a universal human right. That is the theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day. Observed annually on Oct 10, this day serves as a reminder for us to reflect on our own mental fitness, reach out to those who may be struggling, and open the conversation surrounding mental well-being. What community initiative will you be taking part in to promote mental health this year?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 2022 World Mental Health Report ‘Transforming Mental Health for All’, one in eight people, or approximately 970 million people around the world are living with a mental disorder, with anxiety and depressive disorders the most common mental health conditions. Roughly 301mn and 280mn people are grappling with anxiety and depression, respectively.
Though the numbers are staggering, many are still struggling in silence and in isolation, fearing judgement, embarrassment and ostracisation. This stigma often prevents them from seeking any help and getting the proper care they need and deserve. Although we still live in a society where physical health is often prioritised over mental health, there has been a steady shift in perspective surrounding mental health concerns post COVID-19.
There’s no health without mental health
The state of our mental health is not a static one, it exists on a complex and dynamic continuum, fluctuating throughout our lives from periods of optimal mental health to challenging states of mental anguish.
The first step to nourishing our mental health is to recognise how we feel and communicate it with others. Talking about any emotional struggles can open the door to opportunities for further support, self-care and ultimately healing. With every conversation, we break down the barriers and challenge the stigma surrounding mental health a little bit more. By openly sharing our mental health journeys, we contribute to the normalisation of these conversations and encourage those around us to be more compassionate and empathetic towards one another.
To open the conversation on mental health in Phuket during World Mental Health Day last October, I organised a donation-based Mental Health Talk, co-sponsored by HOMA, as a fundraising campaign for Phuket Women’s Peer Support Group for Emotional and Mental Health. This donation-based peer support group meets every first and third Saturday of the month at Safe Space Phuket, a community space provider and organiser for self-improvement events and activities promoting mental well-being in Phuket Town. Additionally, a donation-based men’s peer support group meeting just started this July and meets every second and fourth Saturday of the month.
Then a second donation-based Mental Health Talk was held last December at HeadStart International School. The school kindly provided the venue to support this community initiative. Three guest speakers with diverse backgrounds participated in the event. Kyle Daniels, a high-performance life coach and founder of Coached Success, spoke about the importance of resilience in helping us overcome life’s difficulties. Aylssa Cowell, a counsellor from 7north Therapy, shared the four ways of dealing with everyday stressors by implementing dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) skills. And Celine Fontaine, a coach and breathwork practitioner, guided some breathwork techniques for mental focus, relaxation and improved general well-being.
A call to action
This year, Safe Space Phuket will be hosting a two-day series of mental health awareness events this weekend (Saturday-Sunday, Oct 7-8). The free events are open to anyone who is interested in better understanding themselves and their mental health.
The Mental Health Talk will be held from 2-6pm on Saturday (Oct 7), featuring four guest speakers. Wilton Atkins, a mental performance coach from Mental Skills NZ, will share the tools to assess our current situation and implement a tried-and-true coaching framework to create change in our lives. Amy Pothong and Tom Bell, a licensed professional counsellor and a licensed clinical social worker, respectively, from Golden Leaf Counseling Services Phuket, will lead guided discussions on overcoming addiction and affairs prevention. Then Aylssa Cowell, a counsellor and director of Seven North Co Ltd, will help identify the signs and symptoms that someone isn’t okay and what to do next.
On Sunday (Oct 8), a Pop-Up Mental Health Therapy will take place between 12-8pm, offering a free 20-minute consultation session with five qualified mental health professionals to allow people to try out therapy or find out if it is right for them.
So, what role will you take in shaping Phuket’s mental health landscape towards a more mentally healthy community?
For more information about Safe Space Phuket or the event this weekend, email safespacephuket@gmail.com. Safe Space Phuket welcomes any type of event sponsorship from the local community and organisations.