Mental Health-Accepting Your Disability
Mental health according to the Centre for Disease Control includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being which affects how we think, feel and act.
It also determines how one will handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.
That being the case, mental health topic is very crucial at every stage of a person’s life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood hence May is a month dedicated to mental health awareness.
Persons with disabilities are believed to be at risk of experiencing mental health issues that translates to suicide or suicidal ideation.
Having a disability fundamentally shapes the life experiences of a person more than any other pandemic in the world. But it is said that accepting and even embracing your disability as your identity makes life easier.
Accepting one's disability starts by understanding the relationship between disability and mental health which will help you to identify your limitations and needs.
Salt Foundation in an article highlighted the Steps to Accepting Your Disability as follows;
Talk to someone, at this stage you have o identify a person you trust and who will listen, be it a family member, or a friend to express and let out the feelings you have about your disability, limitations, and challenges so that you can verbalize how you feel. This will help you feel heard and listened to so that you can feel some peace of mind.
Ask for help and Support, according to Salt Foundation asking for help and using aids doesn’t make you weak. These supports can reduce your disability’s impact on your daily life.
If your disability requires you to ask for help and use support, then use them. Asking for help can be challenging, but don’t be ashamed or afraid to do so. You deserve the best for your life.
Accept what you can and can no longer do, It’s important to accept the reality of what you can and can’t do. You might not do your daily tasks the same way as you used to, but remember, you can adapt.
Understand your disability, It’s valuable to understand your disability. You can search for questions you might have about your diagnosis, including information about symptoms, treatments, complications, and more. If there’s anything you can’t find online, then ask someone like your doctor or psychologist.
Read about other people’s success stories and experiences with their disabilities to help you feel included and not alone, Many people with disabilities accomplish their goals, whether it be their daily tasks like getting out of bed, learning sign language, or even doing a marathon or competing in the Olympics!
Get out of the house and be busy in the community, this will help you feel a sense of belonging and help you build connections and make friends.
The aforementioned steps will enrich your mental health and your life will be more easier and lively.
Tags: Signstv National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month Accepting Your Disability Editor's Pick
