We are facing unmeasurable job insecurities that we have not faced since the Black Monday. That is what the media says. My job is not secured regardless of the Covid-19 pandemic, but I know the feelings for a long time.
The fear of losing our own job near future is huge mental pressure. It is like a cancer cell, growing in our mind each day. Being served with a redundancy notice adds to the pressure, fuelled by financial responsibilities. It feels like you are trapped in a bag and bashed constantly without any means of escape.
One negative thought leads to another, creating a perpetual loop of near paranoia. It becomes a mountain of stress, straining our mind and draining out all energies. At this point, we all need some kind of help when we are sent with massive weblinks. It is because we do not have any mental strengths left to trawl those web links.
We are indirectly taught not to display our own problems to other people or not to burden other people by offloading our own problems. It is because our ‘problems’ are for professionals. Is it correct? I also hear another expression, ‘sort yourself out’. But when we are feeling powerless, exhausted with mental strain, and unable to cope with the stress any further, the last thing we want is to be overwhelmed again.
But, we are not incapable. We are capable but lost in a forest, trapped with our own fear, doubts, guilt and shame. We are walking in a labyrinth, desperately seeking a way out. Needing mental health help does not necessarily mean that we need to be taught how to think. We just need a big sign, saying ‘this way out’ or guiding light to a straight path to the top of the mountain.
For me, my guiding light is to be able to feel hope through empowerment. I want empathy with solidarity, not shallow sympathy. I also do not need judgement; yes you are quite right that I could have done better to prevent me from losing a job. But regret belongs to the past that I cannot undo. Regrets do not do anything, but fuelling the speed of the cycles of our negative thoughts, often ending up with anger. And anger eats our minds up.
A close person with whom we can openly talk would help, research says so. Does this mean it is my fault that I do not have such a person? But, wait if we are now allowed to offload our mind, even a tiny bit, it means ‘open’ talk is a very luxurious thing and almost impossible to achieve under any circumstances. How lonely it would be if we are suffering in our mind!
So I say we should not be carrying our mental sufferings on our own any further. If we aim to eradicate injustice/inequalities, mental health should have a place in society, but not left with professionals only. Our social norm is not about being free from mental health problems. People with mental health problems are as same as people without such a problem (or not acknowledging they have a problem). There should be a way to get the labyrinth out together, finding a guiding light. That should be true 'inclusiveness' that our society should aspire to be.
