Helen Lee Schifter is someone who understands the importance of mental and emotional health. Moreover, Schifter recognizes the overlap that exists in the correlation between one’s mental and emotional health, on one’s physical health. This is central and needs to be taught as a fundamental cornerstone of the broader conversation of the importance of health and wellness. It needs to be understood that the physical health is affected by the emotional and mental health. Only then, will people be able to grasp the value and seriousness of having knowledge of mental and emotional health, and their respective significance.
According to those like Helen Lee Schifter, there has to be an understanding of this matter that is reached sooner rather than later. For the sake of our children and grandchildren, we cannot afford to lose any more time on this important subject. Emotional health and mental health are issues that need to be viewed as favorable ones by the broader community, and not just by the academic community.
The truth is that sometimes in instilling certain values and educating people of the importance of a certain concept, it is best to simplify the matters that are being shared. If things are too nuanced or complicated, then they are not going to be palatable to the average person. And if they aren’t comprehensible to the average person, it is an exercise that is nothing more than a futile effort. So going about it as teaching it in a boiled down simplistic way, as opposed to teaching it in a more complex way, is truly the proper approach.
So how can one go about educating the broader public of the value of mental health in a way that sets up the building blocks of knowledge and recognition of the need for there to be a focus on the subject matter. You start by explaining the phisiological and emotional connection between mental health and the rest of the physical body.
The brain and the emotions and feelings that are generated by it , can be harnessed for better understanding the ways that the mental processes affect one’s physical health. In schools and other academic settings therefore, there should be more of an emphasis in Science classes and related curriculum, on educating students and our nation’s youth about this correlation.
Explaining it from a biological standpoint can prove very understandable and therefore palatable to the average consumer, and student. Moreover, there needs to be a movement that seeks to diminish and effectively eliminate the stigma that remains concerning seeking out mental health treatment. There are so many Americans that could benefit greatly from mental health treatment and do not go because of the stigma that is unfortunately associated with it .
They fear that they’ll be called “crazy” or worse, if they engage in being on the receiving end of mental healthcare and treatment related to it , whether by licensed therapists, psychologists or psychiatrists. Of course, eliminating the stigma associated with it will ensure that more people that could benefit or worse, need the help right now – are able to seek it out in a way where they don’t feel offended, insulted or belittled.
But there should be more done on a governmental level to ensure mental health needs are being fulfilled for the rest of the population that might not be in a position to be able to afford regular therapeutic sessions – whether with psychologists or psychiatrists. This is something that needs to be raised in a broader public conversation about politics, and the ways such an investment can truly reap dividends for many years to come.
The reality is that a mentally healthier populace is better for America. It will ensure more stability among those in the workforce; a workforce that is far more productive , and on the social front – the sustainability of the family unit. We’ve seen a serious breakdown of the family unit in recent decades; specifically among certain demographics and communities. Mental health is the cornerstone of healthy relationships – whether through friendships or familial relationships.
In that way, mental and emotional health need to be understood and recognized as being incredibly vital to anyone’s well being. And on a broader level, our lawmakers need to understand the value of developing social programs that cater to fulfilling these needs. And lastly, there needs to be something done to mitigate or entirely eliminate any remaining stigma that might be associated with seeking out help for mental health treatment.