On October 4th, here in Sweden, we celebrated ‘cinnamon roll day’, a sweet pastry that has been marked in the Swedish calendar since 1999. I lost count of the number of posts I saw on social media of delicious looking cinnamon rolls. Nearly one week later, on October 10th, we globally celebrated World Mental Health Day, which started in 1992. In contrast to the countless posts about cinnamon rolls, I could count the number of social media posts regarding mental health on one hand. This observation, albeit unscientific, prompted me to reflect. The day when we treat our mental health with the same respect as our physical health will indeed be a significant milestone.

The day when we can consult a doctor, engage with a therapist, or discuss our mental health with a specialist as easily as requesting an X-ray or obtaining over-the-counter medication will be a triumph for both individuals and society at large. I appreciate the complexities surrounding mental health; often, self-blame, shame, and fear of ‘not being okay’ hinder us from seeking help. However, imagine setting those concerns aside to ask for the support we need. We could then initiate a dialogue about the personal challenges that make it difficult to seek help. While this may feel like crossing a precarious bridge, rest assured that professionals like myself are here to offer a safe space on the other side.

Although I’m not qualified to diagnose mental health conditions, I can assist individuals experiencing deteriorating mental health, be it stress, depression, or anxiety. The extent and nature of these conditions vary from person to person. Anxiety, for example, can manifest differently for each individual. My training has equipped me to understand the general meaning of these terms, but I never presume to know what they mean for someone else. I believe the approach should be to listen and understand your unique experience, rather than fitting it into a preconceived notion.