By Vanshika Utreja
“Just get over it, it’s not that big of a deal!”
Clearly, it’s not to you. But despite the popular belief, issues do not cease to exist simply because one chooses to ignore their existence.
The World Health Organisation, in its World Health Report of 2017, stated that nearly one in every four people worldwide are affected by some mental or neurological disorders at some stage of their lives. With the world’s population being 7.8 billion as of 2020, that accounts for approximately beyond 19.5 million people being current victims to at least some category of mental and neurological illnesses.
So, undeniably, mental disorders do exist among us and yet, for somebody with a deteriorating mental health, it can be difficult to find the resources that they so eminently need.
And if such is the case,
Although others can give you advice, encouragement, recommendations and even love, if you are emerging from a period of mental distress, the most important thing to realise is that you yourself are the most indispensable person to your treatment team.
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Some practical, doable and affordable steps one can take so as to start your journeys of recovery are-
Remind yourself that you are not alone.
Sometimes, life hands out a bit more than you can bear. Sometimes, your coping skills aren’t up to the task of coping. And sometimes, mental health issues seem to descend out of the blue. Whatever the case may be, you’re not alone in this fight. And while it may be hard to realise so at times, that doesn’t take away from the fact that you’re not.
Take care of yourself, even when and specially when you don't feel like it.
As we all know, a healthy body is a healthy mind. So, try and eat regular healthy meals, get enough sleep, re-watch that one movie you really like, go for walks or exercise in any way that appeals to you, take a shower, pick that paintbrush or guitar back up, reconnect with that one friend, take some time out to laugh - anything that makes you feel like you again.
It’s only if you treat yourself as if you’re someone worth treating well, that you will start to believe it.
Reach out to others
While isolation may be tempting, everybody needs a little help sometimes. Call a supportive friend or a family member just to talk every now and then. Join an online forum or a community support group.
This also means that you shouldn't completely shut people out as it will worsen your condition.
If you can’t find someone to talk to, call a warm-line or hotline like-
or
1. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1-800-950-6264
2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHA) : (800) 662- 4357
3. "Kiran"— a mental health rehabilitation helpline number (1800-599-0019)
4. or just tweet it.
Get it out of your system!
Get in touch with a professional
While those around you may be able to provide you with a support that carries an emotional depth, a professional is, well, a professional. Regular participation in therapy sessions helps figure out how to help yourself better - but only if you take it seriously. For therapy to be effective, you need to dig in and share your thoughts and feelings and be willing to cooperate with your therapist.
As was once said by Martin Luther King, Jr., “You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." and that’s exactly all you need to do!
Some online therapy/counselling you can check out-
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But hurdles in life, as we all know, do not always disguise themselves as depression or substance abuse. What about, let’s say, neurological disorders? Data show that nearly every one in six people worldwide are neurologically divergent.
With Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Dyslexia, etc. being as common as they are, how can one excel or avoid triggers with simultaneously having to cope with the said hurdles?
Here's an attempt to answer the question-
Keep things in perspective
Don’t let examinations, school bureaucracy, and endless assignments distract you from what’s really important - you!
Seek out help when you need it
Don't get discouraged. Approach a family member. Find a learning coach or a tutor to help you. Consider joining or forming a study group. Enrol yourself into therapy. Help those around you help you.
Learn how to learn
Figuring out how you learn best - visually, auditorily or hands-on - can really help you understand, absorb and retain material much more effectively.
Pay attention to what a professional has to say
A professional, already having done his research, knows and wants what is best for you so, listen closely!
Preventing Triggers
Since Neurodiversity refers to any variation in the human brain regarding sociability, learning, attention, mood and other mental functions, it, as an umbrella term, takes under itself a large number of said variations.
So, following is how to avoid triggering some of those :
AUTISM
Maintain a routine to avoid encountering unstructured time, make changes in your environment so as to try and avoid bright lights, crowded spaces, loud sounds, etc., break down heavier or more complex tasks before taking a go at them, etc.
DEMENTIA
Risks of developing Dementia can be reduced by consuming a balanced and healthy diet, maintaining a healthy wait, exercising regularly, consuming alcoholic beverages within recommended limitations, maintaining a healthy blood pressure, etc.
EPILEPSY
Take medicines regularly as prescribed by the doctor, avoid alcoholic beverages and recreational drugs, have a good night’s sleep, maintain regularity in meals, try and reduce the stress you suffer from, etc.
HEADACHES AND MIGRAINES
Watch what you eat and drink, never skip meals, ease off of caffeine, be careful with exercises, avoid getting dehydrated, try and downsize your stress levels, etc.
PARKINSON’S DISEASE
Go local and organic, increase your consumption of fresh and raw vegetables, incorporate Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D3 into your diets, take a go at aerobics, etc.
STROKE
Know and control your blood pressure, avoid smoking, identify and manage atrial fibrillation, try and control your blood sugar and cholesterol, adopt a healthy diet low in sodium and rich in potassium, pay attention to the warning signs, etc.
So far, we’ve talked about what one can do to help their own self but we’re never really alone, are we?
So, what can you, as a neurotypical, put together to help the neurodivergent?
Here's your guide!
Communicate right
Be clear and direct, use concise sentences, try and avoid ambiguous statements, be patient and repeat yourself if required, etc.
Welcome different ways of learning
In order to make learning accessible for every child, teachers can consider different learning methods and take time to consider modified teaching style, adapting to ways to teach specific children, and spending time checking in with children to see how they’re getting on.
Recognise an individual's strength
As well as working on areas an individual finds difficult, never forget to praise them in areas in which they thrive.
Create a safe space
For pupils with sensory challenges, discussion-filled lecture halls, unwanted noises, bright and harsh lights, busy libraries, and noisy hallways can be a nightmare. It is important to provide a space to these individuals to help them find reprieve from the chaos.
Focus on Supporting and Empowering
Accepting behaviour as a form of communication and finding supportive and empowering ways to interact with an individual helps much more than attempts at excluding for disciplining.
Recognise how valuable and desirable diversity is
Consider the diversity and recognise how necessary supporting it, rather than aiming for conformity to standards, is.
Be the knowing nod
You’ve seen it - a slight bob of the head, often accompanied by a smile. A little movement that says, ‘I understand,’ ‘I’m listening,’ and ‘I’m here for you’, because sometimes, that’s just enough.
Like mentioned earlier, for somebody with a worsening mental health, it can be difficult to find the help that they so conspicuously require but remember, there’s always a door open and all you need to do, as back breaking as it may be, is try and walk towards it for that is the door that will finally lead you out of the world that seems to have lost all its colour.
Written by
Vanshika Utreja
Join us to help spread awareness and work towards a destimatised, inclusive environment.
Resources-
https://www.who.int/
medium.com/@drwilliamlane/three-simple-ways-to-help-your-neurodivergent-students-succeed-215814652f18
www.multibriefs.com/briefs/namcp/NAMCP022117.php
Nicely written document. Useful fo all ages of people. God bless you Duhani.