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It's time to talk about
Mental Health
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ANXIETY
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DEPRESSION
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TRAUMA
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PSYCHOSIS
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On What it Means to Be Well...
Being well can mean different things to different people. In the context of this post, I will be referring to what clinicians refer to as whole body wellness.
Western medicine has primarily been focused on separating the body out into its various areas of function: we have heart specialists, liver specialists, urologists, eye specialists and brain surgeons. Their skills and expertise in their focused areas of specialty helps to save lives and better understand the complexity of the functioning of all our internal organs.
Where Western medicine falls short is in the consideration of how the rest of the body plays a rather large role in the wellness of each of the organs in the body, especially how the brain, or human psyche can affect your overall health.
We have seen a narrowing of the gap between the philosophies of Eastern medicine, largely based on the energy systems of the body, and the Western pharma driven approach to medicine. In today's world, there is open discussion about adjunct or complimentary services to help people achieve better wellness overall. This approach is holistic and more respectful of the very nature of our being.
So, in consideration of this, what does it really mean to be well? Wellness, according to the World Health Organization, is defined as such:
“...a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
The brain is the most powerful influence we possess in our bodies which ultimately affects our overall wellness. The complexity of this organ is such that science does not yet understand the full capacity of the brain's influence on our bodies. As a result, science in this area is currently experiencing the most growth.
Recent changes in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has seen excessive classification of all the subtle nuances of the human brain and how it effects our psyche. There are many mixed views on this method of 'labeling' for clinical purposes.
As a healer who also works energetically with the human bio-field, I have a deeper, more innate understanding of what leads to dis-ease in the body. When we become disconnected from the very things that we need on a primal level, energetically, to survive, it then starts a slow process of illness that can manifest in various complaints throughout our systems, from chronic headaches, unexplained pains in various areas of the body, overall fatigue and loss of motivation, mood disorders, substance use, and other mental health issues over the long term. Traumatic events are the largest culprit, and even though we may think we've dealt with such events from way back in our past, they inevitably leave a footprint that can cause changes in the way our brain process that information or stimulation that it received. This then sets you up for a slow, insidious slide into becoming unwell when further life events exacerbate the memory. Lifestyle plays a role in wellness as well. Not unlike a garden, in order to thrive, the body needs to be organically healthy in the best way possible. Sleep, diet, exercise, relationships, and healthy mental stimulation are key to maintaining a level of optimal functioning, and providing an environment that invites absolute wellness.
There exists, sadly, a stigma around mental illness. This is born of ignorance and lack of education around how the brain functions as well as societal events of the past.
In the 70's, much of Canada and the US experienced what is termed "de-institutionalization" whereby many Mental Health institutions where horrific methods of treatment were practiced, were shut down. Up to that point, persons suffering the experiences of mental illness where shunned and separated from society and literally locked away in these facilities with highly questionable practices. When these buildings were investigated and eventually forced to close, we saw large numbers of very unwell people being sent out into the communities, with no resources to support them outside the four walls they had known. As a result, our population of citizens with mental health issues quickly became part of the homeless groups in towns and cities across the nations, as families struggled to try to manage the often volatile and difficult behaviors associated with severe mental illness, without success. Language used to speak about people experiencing mental health issues was just as appalling, leading to a fear response towards anyone labeled as such, resulting in them being shunned by society and treated poorly by most.
Today, the focus has been on breaking the stigma attached to mental illness. No one is above any struggles with their mental health. Biologically we are all created equal, and mental illness does not discriminate by gender, age, social class, culture or lifestyle. As humans, we are all capable of feeling the emotional roller-coaster of human experiences and our perceptions of traumatic events vary from person to person. Our ability to cope is tied to how well we were taught or modeled by our parents, and they, by their parents. We are all only replicating what we know, good or bad, in the only ways that we were taught.
Part of the human condition is being able to overcome many things we experience. As complex as the brain is, it is surprisingly resilient too, and by untangling and understanding the more subtle nuances associated with the latest neuroscience and specifically neuroplasticity [the ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections, especially in response to learning, or experience, or following injury], we can start to forge new in-roads to wellness when it comes to mental health.
If you have struggled with your own mental health, do not allow yourself to feel as though you are broken, not good enough, or somehow not worthy of a beautiful life. We all are. We are all organically the same as one another, and from that should rise a brethren level of compassion, empathy and understanding of the human condition. Workplace health and wellness, benefits plans, and family physicians are now cross-talking with mental health professionals to have necessary conversations about how best to support people with their mental health. We have seen a large increase in willingness to meet at the table with those in the profession and to listen to what we feel people need to continue on their wellness journey outside of the institutions. Hospitalization may still be necessary for stabilization purposes, but the goal now is to have people supported and living in their own communities, with as much independence as possible.
Wellness means taking into consideration all levels of your experience; mental, physical, emotional, as well as a focused look on your world-views, values and lifestyle. Many clues leading to recovery and wellness are found in the past. Afterall, your past is the roadmap that lead you to where you are today.
If you or a loved one feel that you need more support in dealing with mental health struggles, be sure to reach out to your local health authority resources for help. There are crisis lines nation wide in most countries and mental health teams who are skilled and experienced, and trained to support you in regaining your life back.
On Vancouver Island, please call 1-888-494-3888
~Namaste
Western medicine has primarily been focused on separating the body out into its various areas of function: we have heart specialists, liver specialists, urologists, eye specialists and brain surgeons. Their skills and expertise in their focused areas of specialty helps to save lives and better understand the complexity of the functioning of all our internal organs.
Where Western medicine falls short is in the consideration of how the rest of the body plays a rather large role in the wellness of each of the organs in the body, especially how the brain, or human psyche can affect your overall health.
We have seen a narrowing of the gap between the philosophies of Eastern medicine, largely based on the energy systems of the body, and the Western pharma driven approach to medicine. In today's world, there is open discussion about adjunct or complimentary services to help people achieve better wellness overall. This approach is holistic and more respectful of the very nature of our being.
So, in consideration of this, what does it really mean to be well? Wellness, according to the World Health Organization, is defined as such:
“...a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
The brain is the most powerful influence we possess in our bodies which ultimately affects our overall wellness. The complexity of this organ is such that science does not yet understand the full capacity of the brain's influence on our bodies. As a result, science in this area is currently experiencing the most growth.
Recent changes in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has seen excessive classification of all the subtle nuances of the human brain and how it effects our psyche. There are many mixed views on this method of 'labeling' for clinical purposes.
As a healer who also works energetically with the human bio-field, I have a deeper, more innate understanding of what leads to dis-ease in the body. When we become disconnected from the very things that we need on a primal level, energetically, to survive, it then starts a slow process of illness that can manifest in various complaints throughout our systems, from chronic headaches, unexplained pains in various areas of the body, overall fatigue and loss of motivation, mood disorders, substance use, and other mental health issues over the long term. Traumatic events are the largest culprit, and even though we may think we've dealt with such events from way back in our past, they inevitably leave a footprint that can cause changes in the way our brain process that information or stimulation that it received. This then sets you up for a slow, insidious slide into becoming unwell when further life events exacerbate the memory. Lifestyle plays a role in wellness as well. Not unlike a garden, in order to thrive, the body needs to be organically healthy in the best way possible. Sleep, diet, exercise, relationships, and healthy mental stimulation are key to maintaining a level of optimal functioning, and providing an environment that invites absolute wellness.
There exists, sadly, a stigma around mental illness. This is born of ignorance and lack of education around how the brain functions as well as societal events of the past.
In the 70's, much of Canada and the US experienced what is termed "de-institutionalization" whereby many Mental Health institutions where horrific methods of treatment were practiced, were shut down. Up to that point, persons suffering the experiences of mental illness where shunned and separated from society and literally locked away in these facilities with highly questionable practices. When these buildings were investigated and eventually forced to close, we saw large numbers of very unwell people being sent out into the communities, with no resources to support them outside the four walls they had known. As a result, our population of citizens with mental health issues quickly became part of the homeless groups in towns and cities across the nations, as families struggled to try to manage the often volatile and difficult behaviors associated with severe mental illness, without success. Language used to speak about people experiencing mental health issues was just as appalling, leading to a fear response towards anyone labeled as such, resulting in them being shunned by society and treated poorly by most.
Today, the focus has been on breaking the stigma attached to mental illness. No one is above any struggles with their mental health. Biologically we are all created equal, and mental illness does not discriminate by gender, age, social class, culture or lifestyle. As humans, we are all capable of feeling the emotional roller-coaster of human experiences and our perceptions of traumatic events vary from person to person. Our ability to cope is tied to how well we were taught or modeled by our parents, and they, by their parents. We are all only replicating what we know, good or bad, in the only ways that we were taught.
Part of the human condition is being able to overcome many things we experience. As complex as the brain is, it is surprisingly resilient too, and by untangling and understanding the more subtle nuances associated with the latest neuroscience and specifically neuroplasticity [the ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections, especially in response to learning, or experience, or following injury], we can start to forge new in-roads to wellness when it comes to mental health.
If you have struggled with your own mental health, do not allow yourself to feel as though you are broken, not good enough, or somehow not worthy of a beautiful life. We all are. We are all organically the same as one another, and from that should rise a brethren level of compassion, empathy and understanding of the human condition. Workplace health and wellness, benefits plans, and family physicians are now cross-talking with mental health professionals to have necessary conversations about how best to support people with their mental health. We have seen a large increase in willingness to meet at the table with those in the profession and to listen to what we feel people need to continue on their wellness journey outside of the institutions. Hospitalization may still be necessary for stabilization purposes, but the goal now is to have people supported and living in their own communities, with as much independence as possible.
Wellness means taking into consideration all levels of your experience; mental, physical, emotional, as well as a focused look on your world-views, values and lifestyle. Many clues leading to recovery and wellness are found in the past. Afterall, your past is the roadmap that lead you to where you are today.
If you or a loved one feel that you need more support in dealing with mental health struggles, be sure to reach out to your local health authority resources for help. There are crisis lines nation wide in most countries and mental health teams who are skilled and experienced, and trained to support you in regaining your life back.
On Vancouver Island, please call 1-888-494-3888
~Namaste
