Dr. Guy Winch, in his TED Talk on emotional first aid, states that as human beings, we experience psychological injuries more often than physical ones. Yet we are rarely taught how to care for emotional pain in the same way we are taught to care for physical injuries. Instead, many of us grow up hearing phrases like “move on,” “shake it off,” “stop being so sensitive,” or even “suck it up.” Over time, we begin to believe that emotional pain is something shameful that should be suppressed or hidden. We are taught that when we feel something natural, we are the problem.
As the world has become more complicated and increasingly fast-paced, many adults and children alike find themselves retreating into virtual spaces that help distract from the realities of everyday life. During Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to advocate not simply for my profession, but for the countless people who quietly carry emotional wounds and scars from the past. I want to advocate for greater awareness of our mental health, how it affects us, and how it impacts the people around us — our children, spouses, friends, neighbors, and colleagues.
It is meaningful that we dedicate a month to mental health awareness, not as a celebration, but as a reminder that emotional well-being matters and that many of us need support, understanding, and healthier ways to cope with life’s challenges. We are living in a time of transition, where conversations about mental health no longer need to remain hidden in the shadows. We see every day how unresolved pain can affect relationships, families, and communities.
If this blog post finds you, my hope is that it serves as an invitation to engage in more open and compassionate conversations about mental health. Not every struggle requires therapy, but perhaps every struggle deserves to be heard by someone who genuinely cares.
Mitesh Parekh
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