When a toothache starts to bother us, when our knee complains after a conditioning run, or when our back betrays us after a long day at the computer, we usually don’t hesitate to see a doctor. We address physical ailments with the same determination we use to monitor our bank account. It’s about our health, after all, so why wait? But what if our soul cries out for help? Do we hear it? Do we understand it? Do we give it the same attention as our body? Or do we, often raised to overlook mental distress, dismiss it as a passing mood that will simply fade away?
I remember my close friend who was considered the star of every event just a few years ago. Always open to new adventures, perpetually smiling, brimming with ideas and energy. And then, as if someone had pulled the plug, she withdrew, went silent, and I didn’t hear from her for a long time. When I eventually met her again, she confessed to struggling with depression, which had completely paralyzed her life and about which she hadn’t told anyone for a long time. Thanks to her, I understood that some scars on the soul, even though not immediately visible, can be much more painful than a fracture or a kidney stone.
In nowaday’s world, where technology advances at the speed of light, our lives move even faster, and we are expected to keep up. Jan Neruda once wrote that those who stand still for a moment are left behind, and he would probably be amazed that this holds truer today than in his 19th century. Sustaining the pace of work and the demands of employers, always being open to change and self-improvement, maintaining peaceful relationships, and raising children like clockwork all require considerable energy and endurance. However, the mind has its own rhythms and pace. Sometimes, it simply needs a break. And it always needs what is succinctly referred to as TLC: tenderness, love, and care. We must provide these to our souls ourselves. Therefore, it is crucial that we listen to them and not be ashamed to seek help when we are struggling.
In response to the growing number of people dealing with mental health issues, our nonprofit organization, Women for Women, has created a new project called “W4W: The First Step“. We believe that sometimes all it takes is to lend a listening ear to someone, to show them that we care, and to share our own stories so they realize they are not alone and that someone truly understands. Through our counseling service, people can connect anonymously with mentors who have gone through similar periods in the past and are willing to share their experiences. From my own experience, I know that particular help can cause wonders.
Sometimes it seems to me that our souls are like the most exquisite, yet delicate lace on our favorite garments. If we don’t care for them with love and attention, if we don’t occasionally have them repaired, they may one day completely unravel. Just as we take care of our bodies, we should care for our minds with the same intensity. It is time to give our mental health the same importance. We don’t need to apologize for how we feel; instead, we should know that there are places and people here to help us take that first, often most challenging step towards healing.
If you feel sadness, a heaviness in your soul, dark thoughts, or a broken heart, don’t be afraid to take that first step. We will meet you with many steps of support. When you need help, you know where to find us!
Ivana Tykač,
- 10. October 2023
