Photo by cottonbro studio
It’s hard to believe that there was a time, and it wasn’t even that long ago when mental health was rarely spoken about. And when it was, it often came with a sense of embarrassment or confusion for those who were struggling. Today it’s fair to say that we’ve made massive leaps in conversations about mental health, the topics of anxiety, depression and burnout amongst others appear everywhere from social media to schools and our workplaces. This change hasn’t happened overnight, but the difference between how mental health was viewed a few decades ago and how it’s approached now is incredible, we’ve made a huge amount of progress.
Changes in Society’s Understanding
If you go back thirty or forty years, mental health carried such a heavy stigma. People were often labelled as unstable or weak for admitting they were struggling as people didn’t know better, there was very little help or general conversation around mental health topics and the psychology and physiology around it still wasn’t well understood. Therapy was considered something only for those with serious problems, and antidepressants were spoken about practically whispers ever since they were introduced clinically in the 1950s.. Many families avoided the topic altogether, and the attitude tended to be seeing emotional struggles as something to ‘get over’ rather than understand. Workplaces weren’t much different, and taking time off for mental health reasons was basically unthinkable. Stress was seen by society as something to hide rather than an issue to address, which of course would have had hugely negative consequences on those who were going through it. The idea of employers offering counselling or wellbeing support would have seemed very unusual, and society valued ‘toughness’ and ‘resilience’. Emotional wellbeing simply didn’t fit within that framework.
More visibility and conversation
One of the biggest changes in recent years hasn’t even been breakthrough medications or treatments (although there have been some fantastic discoveries and science here). But it’s actually been just the normalization of conversation- mental health is now widely discussed in schools, workplaces, and the media. The growth of online platforms has given people a place to share their stories and realise they aren’t alone. Campaigns from charities and public figures have helped to remove much of the shame that once surrounded mental illness too which shows those who are struggling that it’s ok. It’s normal, common and that there is help available. Advances in research have helped people understand that conditions like depression or anxiety aren’t a matter of choice or weakness but involve complex biological, psychological, and social factors. Access to information with the growth of the internet has made it easier for people to recognize symptoms and seek help earlier too rather than waiting until things reach a crisis point.
The rise of therapy and self care
Therapy has gone from being viewed as a last resort to something many people use as part of their regular wellbeing routine. Cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and other approaches are all things that are now recommended by health professionals and used widely to better people’s lives. Not only can it help people struggling with their mental health but it can be a good way to prevent depression and anxiety too. Therapy gives people much needed tools and coping mechanisms when life gets hard, and it does get hard for us all at times. There are also mental health treatment centers where those who are very mentally unwell can go to recover, which can reduce the chances of suicide and other negative outcomes. Apps and digital therapy options have made mental health support more accessible, especially for those who might not feel comfortable walking into a clinic.
Where things still need work
Despite the progress, mental health care isn’t perfect still. Access to professional mental health help can still be really slow, and the quality of support varies can depending on where you live. Social media has brought openness, although that double edged sword has also introduced pressure and comparison that can affect wellbeing. Some older attitudes do still remain when it comes to mental health, especially in cultures or communities where talking about emotions is still seen as uncomfortable. But even with those challenges, the overall direction is clear. Mental health is no longer something to hide, and that change in attitude has already made a real difference in how people seek help, talk to each other, and understand themselves.
