We ask two every day women how they reach out to better care for their mental health and how you can do the same.
Trigger warning: there is an account on sexual assault.
Nabilah* is only in her early twenties yet she’s prescribed with anti-depressants known as PRISTIQ (Desvenlafaxine) to treat depression, which she was diagnosed with at a public hospital recently. For Natasha*, it was during her teens. “I’ve always known I had symptoms of depression. I feel lethargic, demotivated and hopeless all the time to a point that I can’t even enjoy happy events in my life,” she says.
Mental health is an important and ageless topic – from these women’s experiences, we encourage Malaysians of all backgrounds to seek help. From their stories, we outline the highlights of taking the first few important steps in tending to your mental health.
Visiting A Health Professional
It may be an undeniably daunting task but meeting a medical or health specialist is the most vital stage in your mental health journey. However, it is important to note that everyone’s process is different. Nabilah* says, “To be honest, the process has not been smooth. I was a victim of child and sexual grooming by a trusted guardian (a babysitter of mine growing up) and I’m still afraid of the past becoming my present and future. It’s important to understand that drugs alone won’t make you better. Therapy, meditation, healthy eating, positive and rational thinking are some of the other essentials that work for me.”
University Of Cyberjaya’s Health and Psychology Clinic provides mental health consultation for depression, anxiety, anger, stress, sleep problems, etc and online therapy to the public. Registration is RM50 and the first two sessions are free for the first 200 clients. Click here to register or contact 03-83137000 for more info.
The All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) is also providing free online counselling during this Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO); their CMCO Telenita Helpline is 016-2374221.
Alternatively, you can also check out Malaysian Mental Health Association and find help via its Physcological Support Services.
Ask A Friend
If you have reservations about meeting a professional, Natasha* says that talking to a familiar face who have experienced help is advisable. She shares, “Ask them how the process was like for them and where you can seek help as well as getting insight on your other concerns. If you have someone you can trust, talk to them about it and make it clear that you want to get better.”
Natasha* adds, “There will be side effects and changes to your mood hence, letting people close to you know will prepare them to help you too. Don’t be afraid of seeking help!”
Know You Are Not Alone
“Once we understand that we need other humans for emotional support and connection to survive then we are already at the first step of healing and recovery,” says Nabilah* who also shares that her doctor mentioned how other people use many other techniques to go through their trauma or anxiety. Everyone has a different way of going about their day.
Natasha* shares that a day in her life is, “Waking up, sorting out my thoughts and focusing on the tasks that I have to do for that day. Every day is a battle but it’s one that’s worth winning.”
*Names have been changed to protect privacy.
Reported by Aina Izzah.
