Mental health

The other day I read about a person who didn’t attend work and as a apology she wrote that she needed some days off to take care of her mental health. Her boss congratulated her to her decision which is the reason why this conversation ended up on social media as there are not many people nowadays who would officially take off some days from work to take care of their mental health.

But why is that so? Isn’t our mental health important? Why are people embarassed to talk openly about their mental health when we actually know that everyone has issues from time to time or maybe even all the time.

What is usually practiced these days is that people bear with the mental problems they have and just try to function the best way possible. Because work is more important than any private problems you may have and you have to control yourself. Does that feel right for you? Why do we have to function? Why can’t I just be upset, feel bad and take some time off to calm down? When one of your relatives dies and you take a few days off it’s accepted but what about any other reason to be sad? I’m thinking about all sorts of problems you may have in your personal life.

Of course we have to work in order to earn money, take care of our career etc. but isn’t our personal life what we really care about? For instance if you have problems in your relationship, can you really perform perfectly in other areas of your life? And is this a bad thing? Why do we have to pretend that everything is alright? I don’t mean you should stay at home for every little discussion you’re having with your partner. I’m talking about serious issues that influence you for whatever reason. Why do we have to surpress those feelings?

Usually women find it easier to talk openly about their mental problems but it doesn’t mean that men have less problems. The ironic thing in here is that EVERYONE has some issues in their private life but just some people talk openly about it or deal with it. As the boss of the women mentioned in the first paragraph I would congratulate those who stand up for themselves and their feelings, who take time off to deal with their problems, their life and their future.