MENTAL HEALTH
If a broken arm requires an orthopaedic surgeon, what does a broken heart require? Not long ago, a young mother expressed her concern about memory loss and how she often forgets things, like what her child needed for school or picking up something from the grocery store. Instead of brushing it off, she reached out to me for counselling, saying she wanted to give her kids the best version of herself.
Moments like these remind me of a truth we often overlook: mental health is not only about labels or disorders, it’s about the quality of our daily lives. It’s about how we manage continuous stress, how we connect with loved ones despite being tired, and how we value ourselves even after a decision we might label as “oops”.
In Pakistan, conversations around mental well-being are finally starting to grow. Students are asking for stress management workshops, workplaces are experimenting with wellness programmes, and families are beginning to recognise that therapy is not a sign of weakness but a tool for strength. This cultural shift is an encouraging step in the right direction.
The best part is, improving our mental health doesn’t always require big changes. It starts with small, everyday practices. You can try some simple ideas to help yourself feel better today, like taking a 10-minute walk without your phone, teaching your children or younger siblings that it’s okay to talk about their feelings, or finding joy in a daily task.
When we treat our minds with the same care we give our bodies, we optimise our health, hence improving overall functioning.
The real question is, will we allow mental health to remain something we only talk about in moments of crisis, or will we choose to make it part of everyday life? The answer will shape not just our individual futures but the kind of society we become.
- The writer is a professional psychologist