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Everyone knows the importance of looking after their health (at least, I hope). Med students, especially, have to balance health and sanity near equilibrium (think crazy doctors) because we face the assurance from our seniors that our timetable will get progressively ‘better’. From young, we have been advised to eat more fruits and vegetables so that diseases could be kept at bay (you know, the “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”). Moms hurry to brew (bitter) herbal tea whenever someone in the family comes down with a cold. And many more youths hit the gym these days as much to sculpt their body into “eye-candy material” as to keep fit.

Yet strangely, we seem to worry about every part of our physical self more than the single most important organ that gives us our sense of self, our emotions and logic etc – our brain. Or mind – if you want to get spiritual or religious about definitions.

Think of your own mental health and the first thing that pops to mind almost by reflex is “oh, euphemism for crazy people, I’m perfectly sane”. Guess what? WRONG. TAAA. You would have lost your hot-seat on “Who wants to be a Millionaire”. That’s about the single greatest gazillion-cube kilometers big misconception that many people have today. Mental health is just as important for healthy people as it is for patients suffering from medically diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

We are all familiar with the gloomy days (barely a year ago) when you’re on the verge of ripping your head bald. That’s perfectly normal, because once it’s over your hair grows back. But what is important is how we ensure that this regeneration cycle goes on and on, and doesn’t morph into a single straight line that is always under the storm clouds but never see the silver lining. Simply put – how do we relieve stress? How do we find ways to express our discomfort? How do we rise above our well of sorrow?

Coping strategies are not necessarily unique to each individual but we do have our preferences. Some find solace in the peace and tranquility of nature. Some go kbox-ing or clubbing. Others need to get their adrenaline pumping with DDR machines and DOTA. Still others immerse themselves in projects like Lokai and Sabai to find joy in service for others. Or running, kayaking, wakeboarding, you name it. As varied as they are, all fulfill the common objective of diverting your attention away from the cause of your distress. It’s not denial, it’s simply taking a moment away to help us see things from another angle, or possibly even wonder what all the fuss was about in the first place.

Occasionally, we may find ourselves stuck in an abyss that try as we might, can’t seem to get out of even after accomplishing all of the above-mentioned methods. That’s when we wish and hope for someone to provide a word of concern, or a shoulder to cry on. Friends, relatives, a human or non-human (no, don’t think cadavers here). Logical as it may seem, many find it difficult to apply this in real life, choosing instead to continue sitting at the bottom of the pit wallowing in self-pity. We are only human. We cannot solve everything by ourselves and every so often, when we encounter something too massive for us, we need to allow someone else to help us. Just as you would seek a doctor when you are down with a flu, seek help from your friends and loved ones when your world is clouded by distress and uncertainty. You will be surprised at how many people out there who would be ready to lend that helping hand to you.

To top it off, I would like to mention that some of these people have now come together and formed an anonymous online peer support network called “Audible Hearts”, to further extend their scope of aid. Audible Hearts is a peer support project manned by youths who are interested to listen out to your problems and where appropriate, provide suitable advice. It’s simple, just type in your problem and you will receive a response from a friend within 36hrs. Check it out at http://audiblehearts.yah.sg/.=)