The topic of mental health is still taboo despite its popularity on social media. The renowned expert shares insights from his journey as a coach in his candid Q&A session.
When she was one and a half years old, her father, a national-level shooter, was stricken with a physical illness as he collapsed before the championship. This was followed by seven years of bedridden suffering. Growing up watching his father struggle for a better life every day, Dr. Chandni Tonight decided to become a doctor, a catalyst for change and transformation.
She became passionate about not only helping people with their overall mental health, but also taking up that area. That’s how she felt naturally drawn to her research into psychology, psychotherapy, mental health, and various forms of healing modalities.
Mental health is one topic that is no longer whispered. The world has begun to embrace change and speak out on mental health issues, but there is still a long way to go.
Health Shots reached out to Dr. Chandni Tugnait for an interview to gain more insight into her journey and work as a mental wellness coach.
Why is mental health still taboo?
In her opinion, there are a dozen reasons why mental health is still taboo, from lack of acceptance due to social conditioning, to stigma and discrimination regarding mental health issues, to fear of being judged. There is often a lack of awareness of how people are beginning to accept anxiety and stress normally.
She says people ridiculed her choice when she began her journey as a healer and coach about 12 years ago. Her parents allowed her to follow her heart and she went ahead and sought certification for the courses she wanted to pursue.
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5 reasons you should prioritize your mental health
According to Dr. Chandni Tugnait, experts say these are 5 reasons mental health should be a priority these days.
1. Poor mental health leads to poor physical health
“Poor mental health can have a huge impact on your physical health, leading to a range of symptoms such as stomach problems, acidity, numbness, irritation, and insomnia,” she adds.
2. Poor mental health kills productivity
Mental health disorders affect the ability to work, leading to poor concentration and productivity, as well as absenteeism at work.
3. It affects relationships
Individuals can build relationships only on the basis of sound mental health. So it’s important to keep your mental health first in building stronger, healthier relationships.
4. Has a social impact
Poor mental health also affects society, leading to higher health care costs, lower productivity and greater social inequality.
5. Good mental health is a human right
Every individual has the right to a healthy and fulfilling life through access to mental health care services.
There’s a lot of talk about mental health on social media, but it’s not as flashy as it looks. Indeed, more and more people are turning to professionals for help. However, they have many suppressed fears and are still skeptical about sharing the same issues with their families for fear of being ridiculed or judged. However, many still impose it because they are not comfortable sharing their condition with their loved ones.
Differences Between Psychotherapists, Psychiatrists, and Psychologists
To help understand the differences between psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and psychologists, Dr. Tugnait shares that although they are all mental health professionals, they have different approaches to education, training, and treatment. I’m here. A psychologist is a person who has a doctorate in psychology and is trained in mental health treatment assessment, treatment, and diagnosis, and who uses a number of CBT techniques to improve the mental health of their clients. .
Psychiatrists are physicians who specialize in treating mental health conditions, are trained in both the psychological and biological aspects of mental health, and can prescribe medications to help manage symptoms. They may omit the use of “talk therapy” in their treatment.
A psychotherapist is someone who specializes in “talk therapy” and can be educated at different levels. It can improve an individual’s mental health.
Dr. Chandni Tugnait reveals how he manages his mental health
Rarely asked by mental health care providers, she said when asked how she maintains her mental health: But they forget that we can have problems too. We also experience emotional upheavals from time to time. The only difference is that after years of practice, we have mastered the art of managing it all. Sleep plays a pivotal role in keeping my mental health in check. I watch my sleep because it can directly affect how I help my clients. Besides that, I am always open to continuous learning, growth and development. Because this gives me the confidence to treat my clients in a better way. Also, once a month, I try to take some time for myself with my friends and enjoy my own sacred space. Finally, over the years, I’ve learned to form healthy boundaries with my clients. “
Also read: 10 ways to improve your mental health if you don’t want to seek therapy
The change our country needs
Finally, she said, a multi-pronged approach must be adhered to to reduce the number of depression and suicide cases in our country. With many people still not receiving the care they need due to barriers such as cost, stigma and lack of access, mental health services must be easily accessible to all. , can improve awareness and education about mental health in the country. It can also address the social determinants of mental health: poverty, trauma and discrimination that increase mental health risk. Finally, it can form a community or safe space where people can talk more openly about their problems.
