Mental health is a topic many are reluctant to discuss. However, recently, mental health has gained attention in Taiwan due to the increasing suicide rate. In 2022, 3,787 people died by suicide, and among Taiwan’s youth, 60 percent have thought about suicide.
While untreated psychological issues can become severe problems, many still choose to avoid treatment.
Fear of judgment
Due to the stigma around mental health issues, some people feel ashamed about feelings of depression, anxiety, or helplessness. Especially in Asia, where men are taught to be strong and to not express fear, sadness, or weakness, they hide their problems and refuse to seek help when needed. They fear that their family and friends will judge or mock them.
Moreover, society labels people with psychological issues as “crazy,” which leads to bullying and isolation.
For example, a 14 year old girl receiving treatments for depression was bullied at school. These bullies isolated her, spread lies that harmed her reputation, and even made a website to criticize her. These constant bullying made her feel that suicide was the only way to escape this painful reality.
These social pressures, expectations, and stigma hinder people from seeking help, even when they are drowning in sadness, depression, or anxiety.
Many people think mental illnesses don’t exist
A common misconception around mental health is that mental illnesses aren’t real. However, mental illnesses exist, and many people are fighting against their mental illnesses on a daily basis.
Many people who have mental health issues have shared their journey. Take Sierra as an example. She suffered from serious anxiety and depression from eighth grade all the way to college. Each day, she experienced intense anxiety, painful migraines, and had serious panic attacks. Feeling like a failure, she described herself as “nothing but a walking, talking mental illness.” Sierra explained that fighting against her depression and anxiety wasn’t easy, as she had been through countless hours of therapy and took dozens of different medicines.
Depression, anxiety, and disorders are real problems and they deserve to be treated seriously.
Many aren’t aware that they have mental health issues
Unlike physical problems, where you feel immediate pain or sickness, psychological struggles aren’t always obvious. Sometimes, you’re the only one who can sense that something is wrong, or worse, you might not even recognize that you are suffering from mental health issues.
Many people live busy and stressful lives and they fail to monitor their mental health. Due to high parental expectations, my friend Luna used to prioritize study over mental health. She gave up her sleep just to study. When she did well on tests, she was still depressed and anxious because she then had even more pressure on her to keep it up. Eventually, Luna’s mental health got so bad that she couldn’t sleep and eat normally, and she had to take a break from school to recover. Fortunately, with her parents’ support and by taking care of her mental well being, she got better over time.
Ignoring your mental health is simply unhealthy. If you are not sure whether you have a mental illness or need some help, you should talk to a parent or teacher, or maybe even a doctor.
What is the right way to face mental health issues?
By recognizing that mental health patients aren’t crazy, we can support people experiencing mental issues and create a safer and friendlier environment for them so they can recover.
If you are struggling mentally or emotionally, remember to relax and don’t push yourself too hard. Your mental health is more important than work or study.
You can also talk to your friends, family, or people you trust about your current problems. Expressing your feelings can make you feel better.
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Facing mental illness can be tough, but you’re not alone. Mental illness can be treated and even overcome if you are willing to talk about your issues and search for the right treatment. Believe in yourself and prioritize your mental well being, because above all, you deserve a happy and fulfilling life.
Kylie does a great job of pointing out the obstacles that Taiwan faces when challenged with the issue of mental health. I agree with her viewpoint and writing but wished she included ways of improvement within schools that could be implemented. One way that Taiwan can properly address mental health is for the teen population to be educated on mental health illnesses. Overall, I am glad that someone is addressing the serious issue of mental health in Taiwan.