Last week was my last scheduled visit with oncology. So, I lifted a glass (or two) in celebration of good health. Unlike the mental health challenges I had been experiencing for years prior, cancer was a diagnosis I could finally talk about… without fear of being judged. Except perhaps in the case of a lung cancer diagnosis, cancer isn’t ordinarily an illness people get discriminated against for. Coincidently enough, May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which calls attention to the stigma of Mental Health Challenges.

 

When I had cancer, not only could I speak about it openly and publically if I chose to, but I joined W2W, a women’s cancer support group. Not only did I get to share what I was going through personally, I received the love, support and guidance of others with similar lived experience. I learned more from the women in W2W than I did from the information I received from all of my doctors combined.

 

Ladies, if any of you are reading this, thank you.

 

Along with my wonderful support group, I received a slew of emotional and physical support from family and friends. People dedicated an entire day of their time accompanying me to chemo treatments. My first treatment took eight hours not including the one and a half drive each way. Two of my girlfriends gave me a ride to radiation one day and literally cheered me on as went in for treatment.

 

 

As word got out about my illness, people I had never even met (particularly cancer survivors) sent me cards, gifts and letters of encouragement.

 

The Stigma & Self-Preservation of Mental Illness

Conversely, due to the stigma surrounding mental illness, mine was hidden from the majority of friends and family for years. With the exception of my parents, one therapist and a few close friends, I received very little social or emotional support. To this day, people may be surprised to learn that I live with mental health challenges.

 

I learned to hide them as a matter of self-preservation.

 

Self-preservation is a basic instinct to prevent oneself from being hurt. Whether it be our home life, school rooms, social or employment situations, self-preservation is a matter of survival.

 

In psychology, self-preservation skills are often referred to as defense mechanisms. “Father of modern psychology”, Sigmund Freud, first defined defense mechanisms as unconscious means one uses to protect themselves from uncomfortable or difficult thoughts, feelings or situations. (Source: verywellmind.com)

 

Examples of Defense Mechanisms:

• Denial
• Regression
• Fantasy
• Projection
• Passive Aggression
• Rationalization
• Avoidance
• Repression
• Disassociation
• Distortion
• Projection

 

“Identifying and recognizing adaptive and maladaptive defense mechanisms, as well as their root causes or triggers, can help you understand and care for yourself better.” (Source: verywellmind.com) To learn more about defense mechanisms and when you may need to seek help, click here.

 

Raising mental health awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding it may lessen the need for defense mechanisms by those who face mental health challenges. And one would hope, increase support.

 

 

Cherish Each Precious Day… in Good Mental Health

“Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.“ (Source: www.cdc.gov)

 

Mental health changes over time and with circumstances. Covid is a good example.

 

To varying degrees, most people will struggle with their mental health at some point in their life. Just as there are ways to help improve our physical health, there are practices we can incorporate into our daily lives to improve our mental well-being.

• Stay hydrated
• Get Plenty of Rest
• Exercise

Physical activity can reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

• Carve Out a Little Me Time
• Eat Well

Good nutrition is not only essential to our overall wellbeing, but “not having enough of certain nutrients may contribute to some mental illnesses.” (Source: medlineplus.gov)

• Surround Yourself with Loving & Supportive People

Connecting with others builds resilience.

• Stop Multitasking

Multitasking has actually been shown to increase stress. (Source: www.independent.co.uk)

• Listen to Music
• Stay Positive
• Practice Gratitude
• Focus on the Good

 

Exercising… Empathy

Exercise is beneficial for mental health. “People who exercise regularly tend to do so because it gives them an enormous sense of well-being. They feel more energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, have sharper memories, and feel more relaxed and positive about themselves and their lives.” (Source: www.helpguide.org) It’s powerful medicine for all health challenges.

 

In addition to the degree of immense social support I received with the diagnosis of a physical ailment, a cancer specific yoga class was offered by our local hospital for patients and survivors. These yoga classes got me through cancer treatments.

 

 

The instructor, Paula Liguori, encouraged students to come to class during treatment “even if you simply lay on your mat.” We were to honor ourselves “just for showing up.” And it worked. I would come to class feeling miserable, inside and out, particularly following a round of chemo. But after an hour of practicing yoga, I had a sense of peace and joy I am not certain that I could have gotten any other way.

 

I have since wished for this type of empathy towards my mental health challenges, sometimes even during yoga classes. There are times when mental health sufferers should honor themselves just for showing up. Arriving on time may very well be cause for celebration.

 

Mental Health Awareness

This year, my wish has been answered. The National Alliance on Mental Illness is celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month with the More Than Enough campaign!

 

“It’s an opportunity for all of us to come together and remember the inherent value we each hold — no matter our diagnosis, appearance, socioeconomic status, background or ability. We want every person out there to know that if all you did was wake up today, that’s more than enough. No matter what, you are inherently worthy of more than enough life, love and healing. Showing up, just as you are, for yourself and the people around you is more than enough.” (Source: nami.org)

 

Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in the U.S. since 1949. Shouldn’t mental illness patients and survivors also be offered specific mental health yoga classes by now?

 

By celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month, we can each do our part to reduce the stigma and shame associated with mental illness. Doing so will increase social, emotional and physical support for those with mental health challenges. So please, share this blog post. Thank you. Namaste.