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Mental Health and Why It Matters

Writer's picture: Ahmad Taufiq MuhammadAhmad Taufiq Muhammad


It is a known fact that that I am a fierce advocate of mental health. Other than being a competitive athlete competing in Strongman, Highland Games and Track & Field in the past 15 years or so. I've been a professional working in social services in Singapore. The athlete bit is probably 30 to 40% of who I am. The 60% is what pays the bills and pays for the expensive hobby of traveling around the world lifting heavy stuff with friends.


I've been working with children, youths, families be it in a school, clinical, residential and instituitionalised setting. And the common thing that a lot of individuals (even for professionals) dont realise is that everyone needs help.


Let's define what help exactly means. It can be an individual who has not been active and put on some (or maybe a lot) of weight. Then this individual would need help from a Personal Trainer to guide them along in the gym for a certain period of time. If you are competing for a lifting competition (strongman or powerlifting), you definitely need a good coach to give you direction and help to prepare you for the competition.


If you need to get your diet dailed in and weight loss or even put on some weight, you can't just eat anything in front of your face. You would need the help of a nutritionist (I do know a good one) to sort out your food and nutritional intake. If you know you tend to have anxiety attacks or breakdowns during competition, you would need a sports psychologist to prep you to build up your mental preparedness, visualization and getting your head sort out for a competition.


On most occasion, you probably need a combination of 2 or even 3 of these individuals above or maybe more if you include professionals like chiropractor, sports massuese and physiotherapist. Yes, they cost money... The whole point of this discussion is that you need help and can't always do things alone. It is the same thing when it comes to our daily life. Especially when it comes to mental health.


The whole main topic of today's article is this topic here... Mental Health.


Fact - Those of use who are committed to the "Iron Game" of training. The gym is our solace. If you recall during the pandemic and lock downs were enforced. My mental health took a beating. Not being able to train... wore me down, that escape of the gym was taken way just like that. I was miserable and it was just a tough time for a lot of athletes and a lot of gym rats (no pun intended).


Fact - A lot of people who suffer or experience any mental health issues, don't know they are suffering from them. Most suffer in silence, most are also unaware, most also withdraw and keep to themselves. Maybe it's a social stigma of seeing a psychiatrist or a mental health professional. You know how men are just suppose to just suck it up or toughen up. A lot of these individuals who suffer in silence are also men.


Fact - People who need help are the ones that feel will clearly state "There is nothing wrong with me! Why should I see a counsellor?". I know this might sting a little bit, but I heard this way too many times and yes... These "strong" individuals who think that there is nothing wrong with them are also the ones that need help too.


Fact - People who actually seek help eventually... Are also the ones who will say "If I known this, I would have sought help earlier. I didn't meant it to escalate until like this.". Sometimes it might be too late but have faith all is not lost, it's better later than never at all.


So many fact bombs, but then you may ask... "Hey Taufiq if you are such an advocate for mental health. Have you even seen a counsellor?". The answer to that question is very simple. Yes I have... I see a counsellor every 3 to 4 months to have a mental well-being check-in session. This is on a personal level and on a developmental level I have monthly clinical supervision with my own clinical supervisor. On top of that I have group clinical supervision for work. So yes, I do seek help from professionals.


Some of us may also say "I speak to my friends about all my problems, they are my listening ear". So here is the reality, your friends will listen to you because they are obliged to due to years of friendship but if you pour your heart out, problems and same issues week in and out. The understanding ones would probably go "Hey, this is beyond me. I think you need to speak to somebody who is an expert in this". But there are also the ones that think that speaking to you might be like a cloud of gloom all the time and they will feel mentally drained. There will be a time when they are going to keep away because they probably have thier own issues to deal with.


I would also like to touch on coping mechanisms. I think for those of us who enjoy going to the gym, that by itself is a positive coping mechanism. Get strong, stay healthy and of course be do things that make you happy. But remember, in life there always needs to be balance. Doing something too much, too often may become an undesired obsession. Always remember, everything in balance. If you are hurting yourself with things like self-harm, having suicidal thoughts, binge drinking, binge eating or even not wanting to eat. These coping mechanisms are not healthy, these behaviours are red flags and they may compromise your well-being. And if sometimes one of your close friends tell you something that you do not want to hear. There may be some wisdom in that... Not all forms of criticism is negative. You just need to hear with an open mind, take what you need, take it in and move on.


It is also with great sadness that a recent suicide attempt was someone that I knew and worked with professionally when he was much younger. The news hit me quite badly because while he was in his teens he always spoken about how it was his dream to work as a police officer. In my the time i worked with young persons and family. I've lost three... One to a unknown health condition, the other two ended with taking their lives. Today is one of those days that feels like a dark gloomy cloud.


If you are in Singapore and you do need someone to talk or need help or support. These are the numbers to call.


National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868 (8am-12am daily, from 1 Sep 2020)


Mental Well-being

- Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline (6389-2222)

- Samaritans of Singapore (1800-221-4444)


Marital and parenting issues


Violence or abuse

- Project StART (6476-1482)

- TRANS SAFE Centre (6449-9088)


Counselling

- TOUCHline (Counselling) – 1800 377 2252


If you are in the United Kingdom, because I do have many friends in the United Kingdom. and you are in a crisis and need to speak to someone:


  • Call NHS 111 (for when you need help but are not in immediate danger)

  • Contact your GP and ask for an emergency appointment

  • Contact the Samaritans (details below)

  • Use the 'Shout' crisis text line - text SHOUT to 85258


Samaritans

Available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts.

  • www.samaritans.org

  • 116 123 (free to call from within the UK and Ireland), 24 hours a day

  • Email: jo@samaritans.org


Or you can always drop me a message on my website, Facebook page or Instagram and I'll see how I am able to support you. If I can't, I would refer you to my own professional network. Please be safe, show strength by seeking support and help.



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