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In this technologically forward world, online counseling degrees Masters, psychology degrees and other mental health qualifications are available to more people than ever before. What’s more, the discussion around mental illness has opened up new avenues of research for professionals and freedom of expression for those suffering from mental health conditions. Why do so many myths and stigmas persist when people have learned so much?

 Despite the wealth of knowledge accumulated, persistent myths and stigmas continue to prevail, prompting the question of why these misconceptions persist despite people’s increased understanding.

Reinventing a culture and its opinions poses a considerable challenge, especially considering the slow and laborious nature of education. With information only emerging in recent decades, widespread common knowledge on mental health is not anticipated for quite some time.

One of the primary challenges lies in the barriers to entry faced by individuals with mental illnesses seeking help, compounded by the inherent difficulty in finding effective assistance. These barriers often remain invisible until one decides to seek treatment or therapy, proving particularly burdensome for those already grappling with mental illnesses like depression or bipolar disorder.

Defining Mental Illness and Mental Health Care

Mental illnesses, also referred to as mental disorders, impact the cognitive functions of an individual’s brain, including thinking, feeling, mood, and behavior. Contrary to misconceptions, mental illness is not something concocted by individuals; rather, it is a psychological condition that can be quantified, recognized, and treated. Mental illnesses, akin to any pain, can manifest as chronic or acute. For instance, feeling depressed after the loss of a loved one is considered a normal response, but the absence of joy even in favorable circumstances signifies Depressive Disorder—a neurological incapacity to experience happiness, distinct from merely “being sad.”

Various mental illnesses exist, with stress, a universal experience, serving as a major cause of mental discomfort and illness. Prolonged exposure to stress can produce symptoms akin to PTSD.

Mental healthcare, as a branch of medical science, is dedicated to diagnosing and treating individuals with mental illnesses, often involving a combination of lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy.

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Barriers To Mental Health Care Access

Currently, America is undergoing what professionals are labeling a mental health crisis. Despite record numbers of people going to therapy, the number of people talking about their mental health in a positive light is decreasing, while diagnoses of conditions like depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and bipolar are on the rise. It is believed this is due to several conditions and pressures of modern life in America, people are experiencing completely normal rational feelings that then become chronic and detrimental to a patient’s quality of life.

There is also the fact that since the conversation around mental illness has become so much more open recently, it’s not so much a case of more people being diagnosed, it is merely that the diagnoses are more visible because our society has grown to a more accepting place. However, if therapy and treatment are at an all-time high, and our society has become more tolerant of those with mental illness; how bad can the barriers to entry in mental health care be?

The answer: they can be pretty bad. Seeing a mental health professional isn’t like seeing a GP. It can take months of waiting and inaction to finally see a therapist, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic’s grip left many in a state of mental agitation. This period of stagnation can in itself be considered a barrier, as many people suffering from mental illnesses struggle with motivation and the ability to follow through with challenging plans; the lengthy wait forces a person to stew in their fears and insecurities for a long time and gives them ample opportunity to back out.

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What Needs To Be Done

There are several ways that the Federal administration could go about making mental health care access more viable for Americans across the country. Mental health insurance policies need to be updated so that those with the benefit of insurance can access the specified care and therapies they require, periodic ongoing screenings especially in children need to be leveraged, and mental health services need to be offered in schools and colleges, as well as workplaces.

These however would be but a drop in the ocean. The truth is that addressing mental health starts at a communal level. Introducing the concept of mental illness to kids as early as possible would be a beneficial practice, helping to de-stigmatize mental illness, and trauma, as well as fostering a deeper emotional and intellectual connection and awareness as they grow up. 

The education system is the first line of defense against the burgeoning mental health crisis facing the nation. After that, several elements of the society need to be addressed. Several major causes of mental illness or significant ongoing mental distress include homelessness, poverty, and unemployment. This suggests the country’s economic practices require rearranging to become a truly prosperous nation for those who face a daily struggle just trying to live life.

It is easy to see this suffering and to separate yourself from it. To think “No, this can’t possibly happen in my country. My country serves me well.” and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to defend what you love, especially if it’s done right by you. However, love doesn’t work like that. When you truly love something or someone you do your utmost to help them overcome the things that stop them from being their best selves. To this end, everyone has to recognize that, just like every country, the nation has problems. The USA has problems, and many of them stem from the people’s unwillingness to shift from how things are done. If everyone is brave, recognizes the problems that exist, and commits the energy and time to revising them, there is nothing the nation can’t do. As it is, however, America seems headed towards a collective nervous breakdown.

Published by: Aly Cinco

By: Glorietta Laguna

Beauty is a concept that has been idolized for centuries by the human race. Cleopatra, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn – tales of the physical beauty of these women still ring through the halls of history, but beauty goes far beyond skin deep. 

Beauty is so much more than how we appear to others, it’s about how we feel inside and the confidence we have in ourselves. When we feel good on the outside, our inner beauty can shine through and empower us to take risks and be bolder in our life choices.

Founder of True Medical Aesthetics, Tristen Durkin, shares her passion behind creating a beauty clinic that empowers women to feel good about themselves in a way that has far-reaching effects.

“At True Medical Aesthetics, we believe beauty is more than skin deep. We understand that when we don’t feel our best on the outside, it can really hold us back from achieving our goals and feeling empowered in other areas of our lives. That’s why we aim to provide a safe space for women where they can be their authentic selves and come away from spending time with our team feeling their best inside and out.”

True Medical Aesthetics is not just another medical aesthetics clinic. Yes, it offers all the usual services of injectables, laser treatments, and weight loss therapies but it is the why behind the brand that truly makes a difference.

“There is a lot of pressure from society to look a certain way in order to be considered beautiful. Out of that pressure arises insecurity and so much of that insecurity is preyed upon by those in the aesthetics industry. I really wanted to create a safe place for women to feel accepted and welcomed just as they are. We address so many different things in terms of aesthetics, but we also pair that with a rigid screening process to establish whether or not someone is seeking a treatment for the ‘right’ reasons and an approach to holistic wellness,” shares Durkin. “Mental health and the way we feel about ourselves makes all the difference when it comes to the way in which we live our lives. I think that the tragic losses that I have experienced in my life have led me to the path that I am on today.”

Having the father of one of her children pass away due to addiction combined with the loss of her own father to suicide, Durkin realizes just how important looking after our mental health is.

“Connection, acceptance, and respect are things that human beings crave, and we need to receive them from external sources but also from within ourselves. People around you can tell you that there is nothing wrong with your thin upper lip or sun-damaged skin, but if internally you believe that there is, for whatever reason, be that past trauma, lack of self-confidence, conditioning, or whatever, then it doesn’t matter what anyone says, you will feel less confident and secure within yourself and that in turn will likely hold you back from going after what it is your truly want in life,” explains Durkin.

Photo Credit: Tristen Durkin

“The services offered by the aesthetics industry are often judged as being vain, shallow, and labeled as unnatural, however, when done with the right intentions, they can truly change a person’s life. To me, it is not about changing the way a person looks. I would never want that, and I turn people away who I feel are not the right fit for our space. It is about restoring a person’s natural beauty leaving them feeling refreshed, confident, and empowered – feelings which radiate out into all areas of their lives. I want women to take the time to truly consider, that if all the noise from society, the media, etc, was quiet, and they weren’t fearful about what anyone else would say or think, what would they do to make themselves happier in a healthy way? That single contemplative question alone is powerful beyond measure. We all deserve to feel happy, confident, and beautiful, every day.”

At the end of the day, beauty is much more than what we look like. It’s about how we feel and how confident we are in ourselves to take on life’s challenges. Aesthetic treatments can give us an extra boost of confidence, but ultimately it’s up to us to tap into our inner beauty and use it as a source of motivation and strength. When we do that, nothing can stop us!

Published by: Aly Cinco