Counseling and Mental Health : Scope and Importance

A good counselor is genuine, non-judgmental, possesses an ability to empathize with a client’s problem i.e. viewing a problem with the client’s eye, has an ability of self-understanding, understanding of others, can accept, maintain social distance, and can get along with people.

4 July, Kathmandu : Since the start of civilization, counseling has been continuously practiced in various forms and started primarily as an informal discussion with kins and closed ones. Non-specialist counseling by professionals and professional counseling is a recent development in its present form. Counseling is commonly mistaken for guidance as an advice-giving service. The guidance is a service aimed at personal and career development or school adjustment and it focuses on helping individuals choose what they value most whereas counseling focuses on helping individuals nurture their psychological state.

Counseling is a therapeutic process of interaction between two or more people. It is about listening to the person actively, facilitating them with an environment to express their thoughts and emotions and giving them support at times of need. A counselor works with individuals, groups and communities to improve mental health encouraging clients to discuss emotions and experiences to examine issues including substance abuse, aging, bullying, anger management, careers, depression, relationships, LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) issues, self-image, stress and suicide while maintaining strict confidentiality. Also, counselors work with families, help clients define goals, plan action, gain insight and develop therapeutic processes. The counselor not only takes a holistic approach to mental health care but also refers to other psychologists and services if required.

A good counselor is genuine, non-judgmental, possesses an ability to empathize with a client’s problem i.e. viewing a problem with the client’s eye, has an ability of self-understanding, understanding of others, can accept, maintain social distance, and can get along with people. It is completely okay to take help when we are in trouble and having difficulty tackling life challenges like a crisis, grief, parenting difficulties, family struggles, break ups, etc. But counseling is not the magic answer to one’s life’s problem, no instant solution is also found in one session or more. But it is a supportive service that allows a client to gain understanding by self-exploration of their emotional issues. It can help achieve goals, have more fulfilling relationships, more likely to uplift mental and emotional health, and can lead to an improvement in all areas of life.

As per the data of WHO (2019), globally an estimated 264 million people are affected by depression. It affects how we feel, the way we think, and how we act. It is characterized by extreme sadness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, changes in appetite- weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting, trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, loss of energy or increased fatigue, increase in purposeless activity (e.g. hand-wringing or pacing) or slowed movements and speech (actions observable by others), low self-esteem, feeling worthless or guilty, difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decision, thoughts of death or suicide.

Counseling can help with marriage and family, guidance and career, mental health, substance abuse, education, and rehabilitation. It is mainly focused on the reduction of stress to overcome psychological problems. Stress is our body’s reaction to a challenge or demand. It can be positive or destructive. Eu-stress, a positive stress which helps us from danger or meet a deadline e.g., preparing for exams, relationship complications, health concerns to prevent complications whereas distress is an extreme anxiety, sorrow or pain which interfere with our activities of daily living. Different studies show that stress is linked to ill mental health. There are many different mental disorders, with different presentations. They are generally characterized by a combination of abnormal thoughts, perceptions, emotions, behavior, and relationships with others. Mental disorders include depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other psychoses, dementia, and developmental disorders including autism. Depression is a common mental disorder and one of the main causes of disability worldwide.

As per the data of WHO (2019), globally an estimated 264 million people are affected by depression. It affects how we feel, the way we think, and how we act. It is characterized by extreme sadness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, changes in appetite- weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting, trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, loss of energy or increased fatigue, increase in purposeless activity (e.g. hand-wringing or pacing) or slowed movements and speech (actions observable by others), low self-esteem, feeling worthless or guilty, difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decision, thoughts of death or suicide. These symptoms must last at least two weeks for a diagnosis of depression. Multiple factors can play a role in depression. It is a result of imbalance in the serotonin level which may influence mood in a way that leads to excessive frustration and anxiety. The primary factors can be genetics, low self-esteem and environmental factors such as continuous exposure to violence, neglect, abuse, or poverty. Furthermore, over-dependence on gadgets and the internet over-use can also sometimes allure individuals into alienation resulting in depression and other mental issues which is in rapid escalation recently. There are effective strategies for preventing mental disorders such as depression and ways to alleviate the suffering caused by them. Mild to moderate depression can be treated with talking therapies. Access to health care and social services capable of providing treatment and social support is key.

Fighting a global pandemic and the whole world going through a crisis, in times like this, it is easy to lose sanity due to boredom and isolation. Even the emotionally strongest individuals can experience alienation leading to an emotional breakdown. So, it is important to discuss even a small change in our mental status with our closed ones or seek professionals’ help. The individuals who already have an insight into their mental problems are also not willing to seek help. Different challenges obstruct clients seeking therapy or counseling. These can be a lack of awareness of counseling among people, stigmatization, absence of a professional body to regulate counseling, an expensive charge of counseling, lack of connections between counselors and service seeking individuals.

So, creating as much awareness as we can from our side regarding the importance of mental health is today’s need. A healthy body is a result of a proper balance between the psychosomatic processes. A close acquaintance is required between the physical and psychological aspects of our body for healthy existence. Therefore mental health is equally important as physical health and requires the same amount of attention. Thus, by recognizing warning signs like sadness or irritability, extremely high and low moods, excessive fear, worry or anxiety, social withdrawal, and dramatic changes in eating and sleeping habits timely, we can keep ourselves mentally sound. The message in our community that there are clinical psychologists and counseling professionals who are actively involved in mental health has to be spread. There are numerous helplines, online counseling services, counseling centers, counselors in school/colleges, and legal areas helping us in the fight with mental illness. They can help us with victory over issues only if we take the fight to their reach, no battle in the history had been won without allies so let’s make counselor or mental health professionals our allies to have a victory from serious mental health issues like depression or to any small case regarding our psychological state and serve humankind. Let’s unite for your, mine, and everyone’s sound mental health and build a society free of mental illness.

(Anusha Rajbhandari Bsc. Nursing, Post Graduate Diploma in Counseling Psychology (Study in Progress)