World Mental Health Day
As we observe World Mental Health Day 2024, it's crucial to reflect on the significance of mental well-being and the strategies we can adopt to cultivate a balanced mind and life. In a world that often feels overwhelming, expert guidance can help us navigate our emotional landscapes and foster resilience. Here are three key pieces of advice from leading mental health professionals, each offering unique perspectives on achieving balance.
1. Adiba M Sait, Founder of Mind Splatters
Adiba M Sait, the founder of Mind Splatters, a startup dedicated to redefining mental health care through innovation and inclusivity. As a Counselling Psychologist, Adiba led initiatives to make mental health support accessible and impactful. Her platform nurtures a thriving community of over 7,000 members through therapy, workshops, a well-being store, corporate programs, and a learning centre, all designed to promote holistic well-being.
As you navigate your journey toward mental wellness, Adiba encourages you to reconsider balance. Rather than seeing it as a constant state of calm, embrace life's natural cycles. Observe your feelings without judgment and challenge yourself to explore new experiences that push you beyond your comfort zone. This mindset helps you appreciate both the ups and downs as integral parts of your journey.
She recommends incorporating a "Mind Reset Day" each month to step back from your usual tasks and engage in activities that bring you joy. Additionally, set aside a "Curiosity Hour" to discover something new-whether exploring an interesting topic or trying a creative hobby. These moments allow you to reconnect with yourself and cultivate well-being independent of external circumstances. You'll know you're on the right track when you feel renewed clarity and calm, ready to embrace whatever comes next. In this way, balance becomes about finding strength and peace in life's ebb and flow, rather than striving for a perfect equilibrium.
2. Mansi Poddar, Trauma informed Psychotherapist
Mansi Poddar, a trauma psychotherapist who got her master's from New York university and has been working for over 14 years in personal growth, self-awareness and trauma healing. She obtained her master's degree in counseling for Mental Health and Wellness from New York University in 2009 and has been providing quality psychotherapy and psychological testing globally.
She has also received an award from SRL Laboratories and has been a Josh and Brut speaker. Additionally, she is also a queer affirmative counsellor and a Men's Health magazine expert consultant. Mansi highlights that unresolved emotions often lie at the heart of psychological issues, making it essential to confront these feelings with awareness and compassion.
When asked about one advice she says, "I think it's important to firstly define what a balanced mind looks like. I would define it as "emotional equanimity", Emotional equanimity is much more than the ability to feel calm. It is about the ability to be accepting of our emotional experience; the commitment to meet painful emotions with awareness. It is based on emotional intelligence- the ability to identify, understand, and respond to feelings. Unresolved emotions lie at the heart of every psychological problem and our feelings reveal what we are holding onto and where we need to grow/heal. Finding the wisdom in these experiences is beautifully expressed in the metaphor of "no mud, no lotus." Emotional equanimity is the result of inner work- the lotus"
3. Utkarsha Jagga, Founder of The Coping Central
Utkarsha Jagga, counselling psychologist, sex educator, and founder of The Coping Central. Utkarsha is a trauma informed and a queer affirmative therapist, and she works largely with concerns regarding trauma, anxiety, relationships, attachment, sexuality and stress.
Utkarsha has completed her education from Tata Institute of Social Sciences and has completed The Pleasure Fellowship (2023) by The Pleasure Project. As a mental health practitioner, she is aiming at creating spaces which foster wellbeing, and create conversations around mental health which are non-judgmental, accessible, and inclusive. She understands that individuals exist as a part of their context and ecosystem, and hence, her approach to therapy is guided by principles of feminism, social justice, and a non-pathological approach.
When asked about one advice, Utkarsha says "Maintaining a balanced mind and life is dependent on so many factors around you which continue to influence your well-being and mental health. Start by recognising that you exist in a community, understand how this community supports you, and how you tend to access this support. It's also important to understand that we live in a world where there is constant stimulation, comparison, and competition; amidst all of this, it's important to know what needs serve you, and where those needs are met. Communication, and fostering an open dialogue can lead to understanding and support. Lastly, be mindful of your limits and don't hesitate to take breaks when needed. Balancing life is an ongoing process; be gentle with yourself as you navigate it."
