In Pakistan, around 53 per cent of patients blame their illness on the influence of evil spirits.
One highly ingrained impediment to mental health in our country is the cultural belief system, which associates mental illness with supernatural powers, labelling it as black magic or evil spirits.
Celebrating life and focusing on one’s mental health is of utmost importance. It is essential to take time out of busy lives to appreciate the sacrifices people have made and continue to make to live a content life.
People who suffer from mental diseases are confronted not only with their symptoms but also by the stigma that surrounds their illness. Recognising the stigma associated with mental illness should be the first step toward developing awareness about this very pressing matter.
Furthermore, families frequently conceal mental illness to avoid the patient’s suffering becoming a topic of conversation in society.
Hence, it is essential we acknowledge and recognise the stigma and work together to spread awareness by negating the misconceptions.
Graana.com brings you five ways to build a positive home and reduce stress in life.
Acknowledge the Significance of Mental Health
You’d often find kids asking questions regarding mental health. They have little understanding of what the word entails.
It is a great opportunity to teach kids about the importance of mental health and enlighten them about why it is important to talk about the issue.
It is also a great way to inculcate some values and expose them to the ways in which they can give back to their nation and communities to project positivity.
Cleanliness Drives
One way to give back to the community and subsequently the nation is by taking care of the homeland. Over the years, our fellow citizens have polluted the land by throwing garbage on the streets or natural assets of Pakistan.
As individuals, we all can play our part by picking one area of the community and conducting cleanliness. If everyone cleans the spaces around them, the ripple effect will definitely bear fruit.
Decorate Your Home
Sometimes instead of going out for enjoyment purposes, it is best to spend time at home by planning activities. One way to do that is by decorating your home.
Start off by deep cleaning your house and then slowly try spicing up nooks and corners of your home through simple touches like rearranging furniture or getting crafty by DIY-ing some projects.
The process of decorating and decluttering your home is very satisfying and makes one feel that they have accomplished something – even if it is a small thing.
Quizzes
For older kids who are aware of the importance of mental health, one can plan quizzes to allow them to learn some psychological concepts and then apply them in real life.
It will be a fun activity that will also aid in learning more about their personality.
This activity will prove to be beneficial in helping them prepare for their psychology exam too.
Screen Light-Hearted Movies
Every once in a while, it is great to watch light-hearted movies to reflect on life events and feel good about yourself.
Often these movies often have an inherent public service message which is a great takeaway for kids. These make kids more sensitive to the likes of their fellow beings and allow them to take care of the people around them.
