The #COVID19 is a crisis and everyone is trying their best to cope right now.
If you are unable to perform your everyday tasks, isolating yourself from work or your loved ones, or physically abusing yourself, you are not alone.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the “outbreak of #COVID19 crisis may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in both adults and children.”
If you are feeling this way, you don’t have to go through this alone.
Beyond Small Talk is here to help you.
Watch as CBN Asia President & CEO Peter Kairuz, actress and influencer Sonjia Calit-Kakilala, and counselor and psychotherapist Alain Dizon reads letters from people who went through mental health issues and pray for your mental wellbeing.
This is a safe place so don’t hesitate to connect with us and voice out your pains and troubles in life.
Join the online discussion and don’t miss the next webisode of Beyond Small Talk as they talk about stress and how to overcome it on May 16, 2020 at 7:00 PMonThe 700 Club Asia Facebook page and YouTube Channel.
If you feel overwhelmed by the pressure brought by this pandemic, we want to pray for you. Just call 8737-0-700, or contact us through the CBN Asia Prayer Center or CBN Asia Facebook page.
These are what people with mental health struggles deal withevery day because of stigma.
In fact, the Department of Health, as cited by Philippine Star in their article DOH: It’s time to talk about, address depression made an alarming statement, “We need to start talking about depression to end the stigma surrounding mental health because, when left unattended, it can lead to suicide.”
Learn, unlearn, and relearn the truths about mental health so you can help your struggling friend, workmate, or family member.
Here’s what Beyond Small Talk hosts Peter Kairuz, SonjiaCalit, and psychotherapist ZeniaPanahon have to say regarding 10 common myths surrounding mental illness.
Myth #1: Mental health problems can only be experienced at a certain age.
Truth: Mental health problems could manifest at any age. According to Mayo Clinic in their article Mental illness in children: Know the signs, children can develop the same mental illness such as anxiety disorders, Schizophrenia, and Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and the like as adults.
Myth #2: People with mental health struggles are violent and unpredictable.
Truth: Not all who have mental health problems act violently. It still varies on the condition and as MentalHealth.gov says in their article Mental Health Myths and Facts, “only 3%–5% of violent acts can be attributed to individuals living with a serious mental illness.”
Myth #3: People with mental health struggles cannot deal with jobs and/or school.
Truth: A lot of people with mental health issues are highly functional and productive members of society. This is why you should be careful to watch out for warning signs of mental problems in your loved ones.
Myth #4: Personality flaws are often caused by mental health issues. You could snap out of it over time.
Truth: Mental health issues can be sourced from different factors such as genetics, environment, socioeconomic standing, and temperament, saysZeniaPanahon.Also, you can’tjust snap out of it. You need professional help and ongoing family support which are both vital toward healing.
Myth #5: Once you experience mental health problems, you will never get out of them.
Truth: Mental illness is treatable. If you seek help and gain support, you can recover.
Myth #6: Taking the pill is the only answer.
Truth: There are some who need medication, but others recover from mental health issues with the help of friends, family, and health professionals.
Myth #7: It’s impossible to prevent mental illness.
Truth: You cannot really control life’s trials and challenges, so there are times that it may push you to your limit.But, Mayo Clinic explains in Mental Illness that “If you have a mental illness, taking steps to control stress, to increase your resilience and to boost low self-esteem may help keep your symptoms under control.”
Myth #8: Mental illness is a form of brain damage.
Myth #9: I can’t do anything for those who are experiencing mental health issues.
Truth: You can do something about it by being a good support system to them. Show your support by learning how to deal with your family members who have mental health strugglesand accompanying them when seeking professional help, ZeniaPanahon explained.
Myth #10: If I seek help, others would think of me as crazy.
Truth: When you seek help, you are investing in yourself, says ZeniaPanahon.
If you feel overwhelmed by challenges and don’t know how to handle them, we want to pray for you. Just call 8737-0-700, or contact us through theCBN Asia Prayer Center or CBN Asia Facebook page.