Mental Health

End of November, the Luxembourg government, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, launched a campaign called “Dépressioun: Komm mir schwätzen driwwer” – which addresses… yep:

Mental Health

How much consideration do you give your mental health? Did you ever before consider taking care of your psyche as well as your body?

Mental health is no longer a taboo subject! Depression is not a modern get-out-of-work free card. It’s a very serious subject which, unfortunately, comes with the pressures of the times.

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Depression: Let’s talk about it!
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. More than 300 million people are now living with depression, an increase of more than 18% between 2005 and 2015. The WHO continues to define depressions as “a common mental disorder, characterized by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities that you normally enjoy, accompanied by an inability to carry out daily activities.”

People with depression normally have several of the following: a loss of energy; a change in appetite; sleeping more or less; anxiety; reduced concentration; indecisiveness; restlessness; feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or hopelessness; and thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

I myself suffered from depression and mental health disorders, and the reason why ELATE Wellbeing Luxembourg was born, is because I don’t want you to suffer alone!

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Suffering
Suffering is a very personal experience – and no one can take it away from you!

In the “Book of Joy” by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, it is suggested that you cannot end your suffering – but extend it to a more universal level, so that you feel all en globing compassion.

The idea is to know that although the suffering you feel is your own personal experience, know that other people suffer too – and because we are all connected with each other in the universe – one’s suffering is somewhat everyone’s suffering.

Theoretically speaking.
And because we can all suffer together, we can also all be together to un-suffer. 

Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.
Helen Keller

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Wait what?
Look at poetry, look at art, look at what great things can come out of depression and sadness.

Depression and sadness can be the root of a many fruitful chef d’oeuvre in literature, art, culture, or even in your personal story.

You can take the basis of your suffering to make something productive – turn your suffering into something greater than yourself. Like artists do.

But if you don’t have the courage, nor the means, or the creativity or such to do so, what were you going to do?

Sit alone in the dark and suffer?
Been there, done that – it’s awful.

When you look at the dark side, careful you must be. For the dark side looks back.
Yoda

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Your Mental Health Matters
First things first. There is absolutely no reason – none whatsoever – to feel ashamed!
Nor shame, nor guilt!

Second, be aware that the road ahead is not straightforward, and that you may have setbacks, hills and stones.

It’s not a clear mathematical formula. There is not one simple rule, and there certainly is not one magic formula.

Mental health includes your emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing: therefore, take a look at yourself, take a look at Your Life in a holistic way.

Everything is interlinked: your cells, your organs, your brain, your mind, your thoughts, your actions, your emotions… even your surroundings, your social life and your work.

Every damn thing.

The more you work on all levels (individually or collectively), the more likely you are to augment your success.

The first step will be to admit to yourself that you need – that you want to change.

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Commit to Your Wellbeing
While there is not one magic spell you could cast to make it all better, and everything disappear at once, you can choose to take little steps at a time.

Admit to yourself that you need help
Then find something that is right for you. For me personally, it was a combination of therapy, coaching, yoga, acupuncture, meditation, sports and, just in general, cleaning up my life.

Find help