The accurate definition of Crisis is “An unstable or crucial time in one’s life which is a paroxysmal attack of pain, distress, grief, sorrow, heartache or a significant period of unpleasant or unwelcomed situations which leads to an intense degree of grief or sadness”.
Often when we talk about a crisis, we majorly focus on the financial crisis or knowingly or unknowingly our minds will automatically start to think in terms of “financial crisis” only. But the terms used in the definition of crisis are often the symptoms of emotional crisis too. The financial crisis often unfolds the great depression, events of suicidal attempts among people, alcoholism, severe anxiety due to social instability and unemployment. While the economic repercussions are often discussed in school textbooks too; the impact of the financial crisis on health – especially mental health still has a lot of stigmas attached to it.
In a financial crisis, the value of assets significantly decreases. The definition of the asset would be subjective to people. For some, it may mean their financial assets, property, or intangible assets like patents and trademarks; for some, it may mean respect, values, morale and if you ask a mental health professional then the answer would be mental and emotional health.
Mental health illnesses are considered a liability in our society
This culture has made it intensely difficult for people who suffer from mental illness to share it with their loved ones. It has made it difficult for people to seek professional help because of the stigmas attached to this topic. But it should be the other way around. If you are willing to take help, professionals are willing to help you with your mental and emotional health.
There is no point in suffering when there are many professionals who are now speaking a lot about it on public and social platforms. On other hand, it is just a matter of perspectives.
Seeking treatment for mental health issues can help us become a better version of ourselves who can deal with life more effectively and efficiently. The global financial crisis might have darkened the national economic growth but it has brought attention to the mental health issues of the country. As much as talking about the financial crisis is important; it is also important to talk about the emotional crisis that it brings to the table.
Let us talk about mental & emotional Crisis that arise because of the financial crisis:
- Severe stress
- Depression
- Anxiety and panic disorder
- PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Social disadvantages due to unemployment or instability in career
- Increase in suicidal cases
- Alcoholism
- Addiction to substance use ( drugs )
A financial crisis leads to instability in income or unemployment which can significantly increase the causes of suicide and alcoholism. Those who have stable jobs don’t get affected by the financial crisis. Anxiety about instability in the job due to a crisis can enhance depression and can become a chronic stressor in life.
In such circumstances, working individuals might have a ripple effect of anxiety about job insecurity which leads to a decrease in psychological strength resulting in less productivity because of problems caused due to their mental insecurity leading them to extreme chances of unemployment. This leads to unhealthy coping techniques like alcohol and substance misuse, addictions and suicide.
For some, depression rises so quickly that suicide becomes an easier option to find relief. It is noticed that suicidal indexes have an inverse correlation with the efficiency of mental health. Thus the “Investment” in mental health and psychiatric prevention is worthwhile and cost-efficient.
Mental Wealth > Financial Wealth.
Now let us prove this statement.
What do you feel when you look at the phrase Mental Wealth? For some, it may mean nothing; on the other hand, it would be the most the most significant part of our lives. The value goes up whenever we start to care for it more. We often use our mental health like an ATM machine without depositing anything into it. And when any intense situations in life occur, we often get drowned in them rather than standing at the shore and letting the storm pass by.
Self-care habits to prepare for Crisis
To survive any storm that life introduces we need to fill ourselves every day with some self-care habits that help us survive anything that life throws our way. Some of the coping techniques are mentioned below:
- Breathing techniques: This technique helps us remain calm just by focusing on our breathing pattern which can release stress and tense emotions.
- Journaling: Writing down your negative thoughts and journaling about your emotions can help get them out of your brain. It can lead to an awareness that these thoughts aren’t helping you in any way to move forward and might give you a new positive direction.
- Reframe the situation: If you’re feeling that you have failed because of a financial crisis, remind yourself that you are not alone; several other people have faced this situation and survived. Don’t let a situation judge you as a person. Remind yourself that change is always just around the corner. If you see the threat as a challenge, you may always find a silver lining in the dark sky.
- Take a break: The formula that works every time. Take a break from your stress, responsibilities, and thoughts and go for a retreat or simply engage yourself in activities that can help you release your negative emotions like art, music and dance and return to a more relaxed state of mind to solve the puzzles of life effectively.
If these are not working, consider seeking professional help, Therapy & right medicine can do wonders for mental health. I hope this reaches to the right people who are looking for some sort of light in the darkness. And don’t forget, professional help is just a call away. You don’t have to suffer alone.
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