Overcoming Mental Illness: Strategies for Personal Empowerment

Freddy Murphy

Beyond The Blues

As more and more individuals encounter mental health challenges, we must highlight various effective strategies that can assist them in managing negative symptoms and living fulfilling lives. Therapy, for example, stands out as a tool for addressing health issues. Different types of treatment, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychotherapy, equip individuals with the tools to understand and transform negative thought patterns into more positively oriented ideas. Through these methods, individuals gain an insight into their emotions and behaviors, leading to enhanced mental well-being and resilience. Professional therapists create an environment for individuals to delve into their feelings, which is pivotal for personal growth and healing. From personal experience, in times of dismay, confiding in a trusted peer helped me unravel the emotions that had burdened me, revealing possibilities for moving forward.

Apart from therapy, support groups play a role in the journey toward mental health recovery. To be part of a community with shared experiences can alleviate isolation and foster a sense of belonging. Support groups offer opportunities to exchange stories, coping mechanisms, and words of encouragement. By feeling heard and acknowledged within these groups, individuals will likely experience an uplift in morale and motivation to continue on their path toward recovery. These support networks' camaraderie and shared experiences establish a foundation that reinforces mental health practices. Moreover, by simply listening to others discuss their challenges and victories, it is often easier to find the courage and belief in oneself to overcome your adversities. 

In stark contrast to therapy and mutually aiding self-help groups, physical activity, as well as exercise, are suggested to be critical components of a successful treatment plan for mental illness. Those with depression and anxiety who engage in regular physical activity – any kind of movement that gets the heart rate pumping a bit – tend to experience fewer symptoms, improved mood, and general well-being. Exercise releases the body’s natural mood lifters called endorphins, and it also helps improve sleep, which tends to be disturbed for those with mental health issues. To that effect, planned physical activity, even walking, yoga, or a bike ride, can provide structure and a sense of accomplishment that someone experiencing mental illness may be lacking in those days of suffering. For me, tennis was my saving grace. Not only was it an opportunity to get my mind out of the ‘centrifugal fury’ I was experiencing at the time, but the process of routine and the physical work my body endured will always be associated with the release my mind needed to free itself from stress and anxiety. Exercise is an empowering feeling as one is often reminded of one's capabilities and limitless potential. In many cases, when ultimately treating mental illness, a person needs a multi-modal approach, a form of therapy, support groups, and physical activity all together, a triumvirate of aid that, when used to your advantage, can make a radical change in your journey of achieving mental fortitude.

The journey to mental health is never easy, but plenty of tools and practices are available to help you get there. In my experience, I’ve noticed that personal therapy, group therapy, support groups, physical exercise, and assisting others have all been instrumental in helping others understand and cope with their condition. Therapy – be it personal or group-based – may probably be the most effective way to deal with mental health issues because it helps you fully grasp the facts. Support groups give us the community we need. They’re ‘one of us’ because they’ve been through the same things; they can relate. Despite the common practice of remaining silent about their experiences, this group is only more powerful and validating. Physical exercise helps the body, profoundly impacts the mind, and helps create a more stable and healthy environment. When we combine these tools, nothing can stand in our way. Finding strength and serenity of mind is a complex process to overcome. But make no mistake; anyone can help themselves or help a loved one who is suffering from mental health issues. The future is bright if you allow it to be. 

Works Cited:

Health Direct. “Exercise and Mental Health.” Www.healthdirect.gov.au, 24 May 2023, www.healthdirect.gov.au/exercise-and-mental-health#:~:text=Exercise%20causes%20your%20brain%20to. Accessed 29 June 2024.

Mayo Clinic. “Support Groups: Make Connections, Get Help.” Mayo Clinic, 16 Mar. 2023, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/support-groups/art-20044655. Accessed 15 July 2024.

Mental Health America. “Therapy | Mental Health America.” Mhanational.org, 2019, www.mhanational.org/therapy. Accessed 20 July 2024.