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Rowan Sanan (he/him/his), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

No two minds can be understood in the same way. While we as a society are making a lot of good improvements in the field of mental health, there is still so much stigma and misunderstanding. Often, it prevents us from fully understanding each other. The internet and media often tend to romanticize mental illness, portraying it in a very one-sided, simple way. In reality, mental health issues are vast, multi-faceted, and complex. It is not uncommon to see people advocating for mental health awareness and care until the mental health condition presents itself in a severe way, or in some way that is deemed “disturbing” by society. This only increases harmful stigma and stereotypes. We as a society need to follow several steps to help ourselves and each other understand just how mental health issues work, and how to help each other through them. 

One thing some tend to misinterpret is how mental health issues present themselves in others. I suffer from anxiety, and when I’m having a harder time, I am often reclusive and silent. However, I know others with anxiety who are labelled rash or paranoid. Some are even accused of being lazy or irresponsible, but it isn’t always something they can control. A huge part of understanding these behaviours and issues is simply to educate yourself on the mental health issues, as well as their differences, overlapping similarities and varying conditions. Find reputable sources and the experiences of real people who live with these mental health issues to understand how they impact others. Advocate for education covering mental health to be more widely accessible—a lot of children and youth often find themselves suffering from mental health issues they simply cannot explain. Helping everyone become familiar with these conditions through books, movies, documentaries or textbooks can expose us to diverse perspectives and broaden our understanding. We can also learn about the subtler signs and symptoms of these issues to watch out for them in the people around us, being present and ready to lend a helping hand where needed. Early intervention and support can work wonders for people suffering from mental health issues. 

That effort to educate ourselves and others can also help us break down stigmas surrounding mental health issues. Personal bias, stigmas and stereotypes are big barriers to understanding and helping others. These things perpetuate the idea that mental health issues are weaknesses or failures. This can cause struggling people to shy away from seeking help or confiding in others, worsening the issue. This is especially apparent in men, where the idea of masculinity often coincides with strength and silence through suffering. By dismantling these stereotypes, we can create a more supportive environment for everyone by creating safe spaces for all to seek help. Encouraging the people around us to be patient and understanding towards people suffering from mental health issues can be immensely beneficial. 

Similarly, we must approach and understand these issues without judgement. It is easy to make assumptions or be judgemental due to our personal biases, but we have to unlearn these behaviours to help others. Just like how people can hesitate to share their struggles because of stigmatization, they can also hesitate if they feel unsafe or judged. When engaging in these conversations, we can simply lend a listening ear. Sometimes, advice and suggestions simply aren’t needed. As I mentioned, I know a lot of people in my life who suffer from mental health issues, including myself. Sometimes it seems easier for me to offer them a solution or try to fix their problems, but in reality, that often won’t help at all. It can make them feel stifled, unheard or rushed into getting better. What I find works best is lending an ear first and letting them lead the way. Having someone listen to and understand their issue can be even more helpful than trying to solve it. It helps them feel more comfortable and seen, and helps me feel helpful and supportive.

Caring for our own well-being is just as important when trying to help others. As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup. I often find myself bending over backwards to help others. I’m often praised for this, even though it sometimes comes at the detriment of my own mental health. Learning to take a step back and take care of myself as much as I try to take care of others has been a hurdle I’ve had to start overcoming, because of the idea that self-care is sometimes considered selfishness. In reality, self-care is just as important as caring for others. Advocating for ourselves helps us set an example for others for us to help each other create a cycle of understanding, validation and health. 

By taking the time and effort to educate ourselves on mental health issues, we can learn to help others through their struggles. It also helps us break down our stigmas and stereotypes and make space to listen to others who are suffering without judgement or assumption. Lastly, taking care of ourselves and understanding our own minds can help us work toward a better understanding of mental health issues and how they present in ourselves and others. 

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Rowan is a university student who loves to write books and poetry, read all kinds of books and spend time with his family and pets.