OP-ED: A Reflection on Mental Health Day
As we mark Mental Health Day—a day particularly close to my heart—you can read about my journey, including my first mental diagnosis, here. It’s part of why I do the work I do today.
Each year, as this day approaches, I notice a familiar pattern: an influx of corporate requests for mindfulness or meditation sessions. “We want to do something for our team because it’s Mental Health Day,” they say. These initiatives are valuable and well-intentioned, signalling growing awareness of mental health. However, while commendable, I sometimes wonder if these efforts fall short of addressing deeper systemic issues. Are we merely ticking off boxes to observe a global day, or are we genuinely working toward lasting change?
Before diving deeper, let’s clarify a crucial distinction:
- Mental health, refers to a person’s overall psychological well-being—how we handle stress, relate to others, and make decisions.
It encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being, shaped by life experiences, relationships, and coping mechanisms.
- Mental illness, on the other hand, refers to diagnosable conditions that significantly affect one’s thoughts, mood, and behaviour,
such as depression, anxiety disorders, or schizophrenia. These conditions often require medical or psychological intervention and long-term treatment.
In essence, mental health is about balance and wellness, while mental illness disrupts that balance in ways that often necessitate professional care.
The field of mental health is still evolving in its use of respectful terminology, as interventions can vary widely.
While some fall under the umbrella of ‘illness,’ I approach this term with the utmost respect, free from judgment, stigma, or shame.
We are living through unprecedented global challenges: rising rates of anxiety and depression, ongoing economic uncertainty, and the lingering aftereffects of a global pandemic. Mental health is no longer a fringe issue but a global crisis. Yet, are we addressing it meaningfully? Or are we simply applying temporary fixes that fail to address the root causes?
Call me idealistic, but I envision a world where we shift from reactive approaches—like "work-life balance" in response to stress—towards a proactive, holistic understanding of well-being. Instead of responding to crises after they arise, can we build systems that prevent them altogether? Can we cultivate emotional resilience and self-awareness in our lives and workplaces before burnout becomes inevitable? We often speak of managing stress, but perhaps the question should be: Are we managing life in a way that prevents unnecessary stress and builds resilience for life’s inevitable challenges?
I believe we need to normalise conversations about mental well-being before it becomes a crisis. Can we talk about not having the mental bandwidth without feeling judged or ashamed? Are we teaching ourselves and future generations how to recognise the early signs of mental decline? In our hyper-connected, overstimulated world, can we break free from distractions and rediscover a slower, more intentional way of living that prioritises mental health?
In 2023, I faced a mental health decline. Despite having mindfulness and meditation tools I often share with others, a period of grief triggered a recurrence of my anxiety disorder and depression. Recognising that I needed professional help, I sought psychiatric support and medication to stabilise my chemically imbalanced body. This experience reaffirmed my belief in the importance of seeking proper care when needed, rather than relying solely on self-help techniques or quick fixes. While mindfulness and self-reflection are powerful tools, they are not substitutes for professional guidance when dealing with mental illness. I cannot meditate my way through my depression alone - in fact, I did that before and it went more on a downward spiral. To stabilise myself is crucial before quieting the mind. My journey has taught me that real transformation comes from committing to the often uncomfortable work of inner reflection. It’s a process that takes time, patience, and self-compassion—qualities that are difficult to come by in a world that craves instant solutions.
I understand the temptation of quick fixes. When I was in the depths of anxiety and panic, I too sought immediate relief.
But hey, I cannot Deliveroo the healing for my anxiety disorder and depression.
I wish I can Applepay it all away.
But I can’t.
In recent years, I’ve noticed the word “healing” being used rather loosely. Wellness practices are everywhere, and while some can offer comfort and relief, we must be cautious of overstated claims. Sound baths, crystal healings, aura cleansing, and other healing trends may promise relaxation or stress relief, but they do not address the underlying causes of mental health struggles. It’s important to approach these practices with curiosity and critical thinking and to seek out practitioners with credible expertise.
Take sound healing for example. Let’s call a sound bath a sound bath. A meditative experience where participants are immersed in sound waves produced by various instruments such as gongs, singing bowls, chimes, or tuning forks. It is no doubt here to induce relaxation, reduce stress and promote mental clarity by helping the brain enter a meditative state, typically through alpha or theta brainwave states. But please don’t promise me a cure to heal my depression and anxiety disorder. It may help soothe the mind but it is not a replacement for professional psychiatric care. Ensuring we seek out scientifically supported treatments, alongside complementary therapies, will help us avoid being drawn into pseudoscientific claims.
Another trend gaining popularity is the cacao ceremony, frequently marketed as a spiritual or emotional healing experience, often led by facilitators who may not belong to the indigenous tribes. And, it is the overclaims of things that doesn’t sit well with me. Cacao is rich in antioxidants and has compounds like theobromine and phenylethylamine, which can promote feelings of relaxation and euphoria. However, claims of psychological transformations by these ‘facilitators’ are just irresponsible in my opinion. Hmmm, could chocolate be the cure for things?
Here’s my take: any wellness offering rooted in indigenous practices should give credit to the original cultures. I am not saying there aren’t credible cacao ceremonies in this world. There are but there is a huge growing trend of commodifying these indigenous rituals, which then raise question of ethics, power and respect. These meaningful spiritual practices turn into superficial experiences stripping them of their sacred and cultural richness.
When we label something as “ceremonial,” (here’s looking at you too Matcha) shouldn’t it carry a sense of rarity and profound meaning, rather than being mass-produced or commercialised? I believe it’s important to engage with these practices respectfully, understanding their origins and the communities they come from. While cacao is rich in antioxidants and compounds that can promote relaxation, claims of “awakening“ are often exaggerated. I believe it’s important to engage with these practices respectfully, understanding their origins and the communities they come from.
At the heart of these wellness trends is a deeper question:
Why are we so eager to chase after these solutions?
Are we searching for quick fixes to the challenges of modern life?
Are we trying to fill emotional voids with momentary highs?
While some practices can provide comfort, and help us along the journey - I am all for it but my point here is it’s essential to approach them with a critical mindset and recognise their limitations. Healing doesn’t come from fancy labels and claims to erase trauma. And not everything is trauma. Breathwork that claims to transport you to a different dimension will not replace the need for genuine self-reflection and hard inner work. Let’s not oversimplify mental health. This is why I urge readers to be discerning when it comes to wellness trends. Real healing requires bravery—to face discomfort, to sit with difficult emotions, and to avoid the lure of quick-fix solutions that dominate today’s wellness landscape. These acts of going to therapy, eliminating certain foods for gut-brain health, hitting the gym, and getting enough sleep, are baseline healthcare management. Let's not push everything into “healing”. Maybe the real problem isn’t the imbalance of chakras, energy and auras, maybe it's overworked, financial stress and unlived life? Are we falling into the trap of commodified wellness, mistaking momentary relief or basic healthcare management, for true, lasting healing?
Mental health recovery is not linear; it’s about building resilience and finding the tools that work for you. While certain wellness practices may offer comfort, don’t rely solely on them. Real healing comes from a multi-faceted approach: professional guidance, inner work, and sustained support. For anyone currently navigating their own mental health challenges, I want you to know that help is available. You don’t have to face this alone. There are professional resources, support groups, and caring individuals ready to assist. It’s time to check in on yourself and take that first step toward the help you need.
With my best intentions,
Ferina Aziz
Founder and Guide of House of Pause
