World Mental Health Day: Let’s Talk About the Mind We Often Ignore!

When was the last time you checked your mental health, the same way you check your phone battery or your health after a fever? Most of us don’t even realize how much our mind goes through every single day. We brush it off, saying:

• “I’m just tired.”
• “It’ll pass.”
• “Everyone feels this way.”

But pause for a moment. What if we treated mental health like physical health?

If you had a toothache, you’d go to a dentist. If you had a fever, you’d rest and see a doctor. But when your heart feels heavy or your thoughts feel too loud, what do you do? You smile and say, “I’m fine.” That’s where the change needs to begin.

Your mind is your control room. It affects how you think, feel, act, and even how your body functions. When your mental health struggles, everything else your sleep, appetite, relationships, and confidence – starts to feel off balance.

Let’s take a simple example:

You wake up late one morning, spill your coffee, rush to work, and someone criticizes you. By noon, you’re irritated. You skip lunch, work late, and go home exhausted.

Now imagine this happening not just once, but every day. Your body can handle tiredness, but your mind slowly starts to say, “I can’t anymore.” And that’s how burnout begins quietly, gradually.

Let’s Make Mental Health Normal to Talk About

Talking about mental health isn’t weakness. It’s human. Simple acts like listening without judgment, giving a hug, or just being there can make a world of difference. For instance:

• A student sharing exam stress with a friend instead of keeping it in.
• A working parent taking 10 minutes a day just for themselves.
• A colleague saying, “I need a break” without guilt.

Each of these is a step toward better mental health.

Small Steps You Can Start Today

• Talk about your feelings: It doesn’t make you weak, it makes you real.
• Move your body: Even a short walk can clear more stress than you think.
• Rest without guilt: Your productivity doesn’t define your worth.
• Unplug: Take breaks from screens and social media.
• Therapy isn’t for “crazy” people; it’s for everyone.

World Mental Health Day isn’t about pretending to be happy. It’s about being honest about how you feel and taking one small step toward caring for your mind every single day.

Because, your mental health matters just as much as your physical health… maybe even more.

By:
Ms. Saranya Ganesan (Ph.D.)
Medical Psychologist & Student Counselor,
VMRF Chennai Campus