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InternationalandTableTopicsContest

“It’s not the mountains we conquer but ourselves”.Ifwefalldown,wecanstandback. “Whatthecaterpillarsays‘theend’,therestof theworldcalls‘abutterfly’Nicholas

Lifeoffersuspleasantaswellasnotsopleasant experiences.Sometimeslifeknocksyoudownto causesevererepercussions.Peoplecryandkeep onponderingoverthesamenegativeexperience over and over to its extremes and get sick. In psychology we call that trait “rumination”. The very end of this might be Depression. When we try to fight with negative emotions those emotions grow stronger. At a certain peak point these negative emotions hinder your daily routine and work. It seems difficult to get out of this negative thought process and there arises theneedforhelp.Thereforeitishighlyimportant that all of us have a better awareness of mental health and mental illnesses in order to help ourselvesoranotherinsuchcrucialsituations.

Dr. Timothy J. Legg, psychiatric mental health practitioner defines mental health as cognitive,behavioral,andemotionalwell-being. Itisallabouthowpeoplethink,feel,andbehave. Mental Health or wellbeing is of equal importance as physical wellbeing. According to the World HealthOrganizationannual reportsof 2019,Depressionisoneoftheleadingcausesof disability. Suicide is thesecond leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds. People with severe mental health conditions die prematurely.

According to the statistics presented by the Ministry of Health Sri Lanka, Mental health has been a cause for concern in Sri Lanka for some time.Ourcountryhasoneofthehighestsuicide ratesintheworld,withanaverageof6000deaths 000 people will attempt suicideeveryyearinSriLanka.

Despite progress in some countries, people with mental health conditions often experience severe human rights violations, discrimination,andstigma.Thisismainlydueto the lack of awareness among the public on mentalhealthillnessesanditsimpactonhealth. Apart from the campaigns led by the government,it is our individual responsibility to self- study and have a basic understanding. Reliable resources can be the official websites such as National Institute of Mental Health and The American Psychiatric Association which is the main professional organization of psychiatrists and trainee psychiatrists in the United States, and the largest psychiatric organization in the world. The American Psychiatric association sets an updated list of symptoms to help the professionals diagnose mental health illnesses, the latest is ‘The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,FifthEdition(DSM-5)’.

Let’s be aware to raise awareness. Stay close to your loved ones, communicate and feel free to reachout the professionals suchasa Counselor, Psychiatrist, Psychologist or a Psychotherapist. 1926 is the National Mental Health Helpline and 1333 is a free Telephone Counselling service in Sri Lanka that provides emotional support and guidance for people facing difficulties or simply wants to talk to someone about their problems where callers can speak to trained telephone counsellorswhoarewillingtolistenandassist.

The famous mountaineer Nicholas once said that, “It’s not the mountains we conquer but ourselves”. If we fall down, we can stand back.

“What the caterpillar says ‘the end’, the rest of theworldcalls‘abutterfly’.”