Venturing beyond the safety of scripts and structured dialogues, I embark on a vulnerable expedition into the heart of mental health awareness. Facing the societal whirlwind of stigma and the personal tug-of-war between openness and career vulnerability, I lay bare my own encounters with these invisible battles, hoping to light a beacon for more compassionate discourse. This episode travels through the murkier waters of mental health repercussions, from the shadows of poverty to the echoes of family discord, inviting listeners to understand the ripple effects of our collective silence.
With no guest to lean on, I turn to an anonymous tale from NRK.no, originally penned in Norwegian, to frame our discussion on the intersection of mental health and disability. This raw narrative serves as a candid backdrop, accentuating the amplified challenges faced by individuals with functional impairments and the pressing need for nuanced support systems. As we untangle the complex strands of psychological distress and psychiatric disorders, the episode seeks to not only elevate understanding but also champion the call for early interventions and a more embracing global approach to mental health. Join me on this unscripted journey to bring light to what often dwells in the shadows.
Venturing beyond the safety of scripts and structured dialogues, I embark on a vulnerable expedition into the heart of mental health awareness. Facing the societal whirlwind of stigma and the personal tug-of-war between openness and career vulnerability, I lay bare my own encounters with these invisible battles, hoping to light a beacon for more compassionate discourse. This episode travels through the murkier waters of mental health repercussions, from the shadows of poverty to the echoes of family discord, inviting listeners to understand the ripple effects of our collective silence.
With no guest to lean on, I turn to an anonymous tale from NRK.no, originally penned in Norwegian, to frame our discussion on the intersection of mental health and disability. This raw narrative serves as a candid backdrop, accentuating the amplified challenges faced by individuals with functional impairments and the pressing need for nuanced support systems. As we untangle the complex strands of psychological distress and psychiatric disorders, the episode seeks to not only elevate understanding but also champion the call for early interventions and a more embracing global approach to mental health. Join me on this unscripted journey to bring light to what often dwells in the shadows.
Well, hello there, listener. Thank you for last time. Now we will have a new chat here, or maybe a monologue, when I'm talking a lot and you just listen. Thank you for accepting that monologue and I hope it creates a lot of thoughts inside of you and a lot of inspirations to have dialogue with other people as well and, like I already have said time and time again, just feel free to discuss whatever you want on my Patreon Storytell, your Life Patreon on my Facebook, the Norwegian Storyteller, and my Instagram, the Norwegian Storyteller, and my Instagram, the Norwegian Storyteller. You are so welcome to join me and be a part of our storytelling community. So now we are heading to a new episode about mental health. Ta-da, you know that is my most important subject my heart. You know, the apple of my eye.
Speaker 1:
As you maybe already have heard, I have still went out of the comfort zone and I'm talking without manuscript now. I don't know if you listened to my last episode. Then I actually took the last part out, manuscript, and it's kind of weird to do that, because it's kind of like standing in a cliff and then jump into the water and then hope you can swim, because I really like to talk with manuscript and I am a communications worker, you know. So the manuscript is very in my DNA. When I'm working, I make manuscripts for movies, I make manuscripts for speeches, and all communication I do in work is planned to every detail. So being a communications worker and just work without manuscript, that is so out of the comfort zone. Yeah, so I'm trying this one more time, and this time I was thinking of starting the podcast without manuscript. But, believe me, I have written manuscript for the rest, because you know know, I can't do a whole episode without manuscript and it will be just a lot of silly talking and not good facts, because I think we need to be factual. And I want to talk without manuscript now because I want to speak right from my heart, because what I experienced last time when I made the last podcast episode was that the combination of making the episode with Manus and without Manus was a very good combination and I could have both liked the plan and make sure that I have a lot of good, good content in the podcast episode and at the same time, have like a session where I talk more openly, because I experienced talking without manuscript was horrible in a way, but also kind of relieving because, uh, because, when I talked um, without manuscript, I just talked right from my heart and I just said my opinion just straight out, and it was kind of relieving. It was kind of feeling, a liberty feeling. So so then I'll just try. Okay, I'll just try without manuscript now.
Speaker 1:
And when it comes to mental health, you know I just can't get over that. You know my story. You have listened to the other episodes in this podcast. I don't do that.
Speaker 1:
I'm talking about mental health in Norway ableism, global mental health, mental health, norway versus Nepal, etc. And what I really like you to know is that when we talk about mental health, we need to focus on an openness that are actually informing us. Sometimes I find the mental health conversation in the public to be more about feelings, more about being nice to each other, and that is good. You know we need to talk about feelings, we need to talk about being nice to each other, but it's actually not talking about mental health to each other, but it's actually not talking about mental health. If you want to talk about mental health, you have to have a conversation based on fact and you need to have a conversation based on what actually mental health creates of problems in individuals and also in a societal level Because of bad mental health conditions. We have poverty, we have alcoholism, we have abuse, we have violence, alcohol. We also have depression, suicides, relational problems, family that breaks up, divorces, car accidents, etc. The statistics are high on bad things. So that is really important that we need to address those problems and those issues and not only talking about mental health as something you struggle with a short time in life and then you go to a therapist and then you get help and then you go back to your life again. You know, if that is your experience with mental health, I will call you lucky. Oh, just celebrate. I wish I had that experience myself. And I am really glad if that is your only experience, because I really want most of the people in the world not to struggle with mental health issues.
Speaker 1:
But when we're talking about it in the public, if we don't talk about all the wrong things, all the bad things that mental health conditions actually lead to, we don't get informed about. How serious this issue is is one of our time's biggest challenges, because we have actually made so many good things in health politics. We have had vaccines programs. More and more people have access to health care etc. And then suddenly mental health has also been a huge problem, because that is actually the big thing right now. So we need to address this in a different way than just influencers with makeup and who cries on their youtube channel with with the makeup raining down their face. You know. We need to talk more like a societal problem and a problem that faces a lot of stigma, a lot of exclusion and a lot of people feeling that there is no hope and that they cannot contribute to the society.
Speaker 1:
I was there once, as I have already told you in some other episodes in this podcast, and I also went to a bad place at some point and thought that I would never contribute at all. I was so trapped in my problems that it was like a prison. And when it comes to mental openness in the public, I have always struggled with that, because when I had bad mental health conditions, I learned to be silent. I learned that talking about my problems doesn't lead to empathy and doesn't lead to job opportunities. It's actually a career killer. If you say it openly, you won't get the job. It's actually a career killer If you say it openly, you won't get the job. So I actually experienced the mental health openness like something bad. It felt bad and it was like a punish. Every time I was open, I was punished. That was my feeling about it.
Speaker 1:
And then suddenly, especially after the pandemic situation, people have just started to talk a lot of mental health, a lot about mental health sorry, I need to drink yeah, a lot about mental health. And I don't like it because I hate to talk about mental health. I I learned to be silent, you know, and when I have had my struggles, you know, I had periods where I had to struggle a lot because of my health and I also have a daughter that had also mental health conditions that made me struggle as a mom. And when I was standing in these horrible situations, mental health was the least thing I wanted to talk about when I met people. Because when I met people, I just wanted to be someone else than the person that struggles. You know, I was just a person with a lot of problems and etc. Etc. I didn't want to be that person. So I talked about all the other things, and I still do, because I really hate talking about mental health. It's the part of me that I don't like.
Speaker 1:
And when people talk about therapy like something good. I also hate it because I hate therapy and I hate the situation that I was in that low point early in life, early in adult life, that I needed a lot of therapy and I hated that. I hated being in the therapy room. I wanted to go out and experience the life. I'm a creative, colorful person. I hated therapy and I still do, and I'm so happy that I am not there anymore. I don't need therapy and please don't misunderstand me. I really needed therapy, you know I really needed it and I'm so glad I got it because thanks to therapy I got a lot of good help. I want to say that and I want to make sure that you understand what I'm saying correctly.
Speaker 1:
But therapy was also like a huge disappointment for me because I actually didn't want all these huge problems in life and I got them unintentionally. And sitting in the therapy room was actually in young years for me pretty much a waste of time. It took away the time where I should study, where I should work, spend time with friends and all the good stuff. So getting out of the therapy room was like being a bird in the cage and then someone opened the door and you can fly, you know. So that is why, when people talk about therapy, I I just maybe I'm getting silent or I just talk about something else. I get out of the conversation because I hate the conversation, because I hate the subject. I don't like it.
Speaker 1:
So, yeah, as you already have maybe noticed, this episode is about mental health openness and it's about also the bad things about mental health openness. And it's not that I don't think we should talk about mental health, because the problem is that we have been talking too little about it. It has been a taboo for so many years, but now, now, suddenly, the taboo is over and then we need to talk about it in a way that actually involves everyone. We need to take also the people that struggle so much about mental health that it's hard to talk about. So, yeah, let's dive into some really exciting subjects here. You know, even though I hate talking about this, I still love it. So that kind of sounds weird, I guess, and especially when I'm talking without manuscript at this part, as I already told you. So it's a lot of things I say that I actually haven't planned, but yeah, let's start talking. Okay, let's start talking. Now I'm on the manuscript section, luckily, and it's easier.
Speaker 1:
It's a debate article written about someone anonymous, a woman that is anonymous, and she is writing about her mental health condition and why it's hard for her to be open about this, and she has a lot of good points and I'm going to read this. I have translated it from Norwegian to English, so it's important for me to let you, as a listener, know that I haven't written this myself. This is just I'm reading someone else's text and I don't know who this person is, since the article is from an anonymous writer and it's on the Norwegian webpage nrkno and NRK is our national broadcasting. So, yeah, I'm going to read the translation about this. The title of the article is let's see the Dilemma of Mental Health Openness. Yeah, the Dilemma of Mental Health Openness.
Speaker 1:
As someone who has lived depression for several years, I want to raise a crucial point on World Mental Health Day the potential downsides of complete openness about mental health. While societal awareness and understanding of mental illnesses are essential, we must also consider the individual consequences. First, let's acknowledge the positive aspects of openness. Increased awareness can lead to better funding for mental health treatments, reduced stigma and improved understanding of the causes and prevention of mental illness. These are undoubtedly important and desirable outcomes. However, when we shift from societal to individual levels, the picture becomes more complex. Here are some considerations 1. Career implications as an employee, I rely on others' critical assessments. If I had openly discussed my depression, it might have affected my job prospects. Employers may hesitate to hire someone with a history of mental illness due to concerns about absenteeism or additional workload for colleagues.
Speaker 1:
The gap between ideal and reality While we aspire to society that embraces openness, the reality is different. In competitive industries like academia, revealing a mental health history can impact career prospects. We must recognize this gap between our ideals and the practical consequences. And point three, the burden of openness. When openness is praised as a virtue, individuals may feel compelled to share their struggles, but this burden should not fall solely on those who have experienced mental illness. We must avoid creating an inverted scapegoat situation, where the very people advocating for openness end up bearing the consequences. So striking a balance In conclusion, we need a nuanced approach. Encouraging openness while acknowledging its potential drawbacks is essential. Let's create a society that supports mental health without inadvertently penalizing those who have struggled.
Speaker 1:
She actually wrote this text under the headline Directors, translated into English know to be open about mental health conditions, so I think she made this to state the point, actually. So let's have this article in mind and I'm going to dive into the next subject Disability and mental health. Mental health affects everyone, regardless of their backgrounds or abilities. However, individuals with disabilities face unique challenges that can impact their mental well-being. So I want to explore the connection between disability and mental health, focusing on the increased risks faced by people with functional impairments and this is a really interesting and important message and what we actually lose the perspectives we lose when we talk about mental health in a very superficial way. We lose perspectives like this. When we talk about the superficial way. We lose perspectives like this. When we talk about the superficial way I mean when we talk about mental health like just talking about feelings and crying and you know, talking about, we need to talk about feelings, and so on we'll lose some really important points. So, being more focused on facts, we also find this actually perspective, and defining disability and mental health is crucial, because if we delve deeper, we see that there's a lot of issues in the societies that really are an alarm clock, you know, and the link between disability and mental health is something we have to talk more about, because research indicates that adults with functional impairments have up to five times I say it one more time, up to five times the risk of developing psychiatric disorders compared to those without disabilities. Children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities or autism are also more likely to experience mental health issues.
Speaker 1:
Underdiagnosis and misunderstanding is a problem. Unfortunately, mental health problems in people with disabilities are often overlooked or misattributed to their underlying condition. This oversight can lead to delayed intervention and inadequate support. Contributing factors Stressors. People with disabilities may face additional stressors related to their condition, such as mobility challenges, social isolation or discrimination. Lack of control, reduce autonomy and limited control over one's life can contribute to psychosocial distress Psychological distress, sorry. Psychological Social support Having a strong social network is crucial for mental well-being. Unfortunately, individuals with disabilities may have a smaller support system.
Speaker 1:
So how should we address the issue? One awareness and education. Raising awareness about the mental health needs of people with disabilities is essential. Healthcare professionals, educators and families should recognize the signs of distress and provide appropriate support. And then you have the holistic approach. Point two Mental health interventions should consider both the disability and the person's emotional well-being. This includes addressing social inclusion, coping strategies and self-advocacy. And third, early intervention. Detecting mental health issues early allows for timely intervention. Regular screenings and open communications are vital If we want to work towards better global mental health conditions.
Speaker 1:
We must include the perspectives of people with disabilities. By understanding the unique challenges they face, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all. You know, remember, mental health matters regardless of ability. So we have to break down barriers and promote well-being for everyone, and I think the problem is that a lot of people with disabilities are either seen to have problems with their disability or the mental health. So there's a lot of people that has a disability that doesn't get therapy because you don't understand that those two factors actually are dependent on each other. The bad physical health will also lead to the bad psychological health, because those two are actually in partner to each other. So yeah, and I want to clarify some terms Psychological distress refers to feelings of anxiety, depression or emotional suffering.
Speaker 1:
Psychiatric disorders include conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. That's actually diseases and it's treated by professionals. So psychological distress is something that everyone can experience one or or more times in life, but psychiatric disorders is more like serious mental health disorders and it's it in the psychiatric. You know the psychological distress is not like dangerous or for job opportunities and discriminations and so on. It's. It's bad. You can experience that as a bad thing in your life. But the psychiatric disorders is more serious because it leads to bad things like suicide and the lack of job opportunities, etc. Etc. A lot of bad things for society actually. And so it's really important that we actually separate those two terms. Then you have like functional impairments. There are limitations in an individual's ability to perform everyday tasks due to psychological, sensory or cognitive difficulties. That's functional impairment. That's the clarification of some of the words I was talking about. Thank you.
