Discovering the Beauty Within: Why Mental Health Matters

Today in gender equity in conjunction with good health and wellbeing, I discuss the unspoken mental health pandemic. Dealing with with depression and anxiety is one of the most difficult challenges anybody can ever experience. Sadly, we live in a society where we hardly speaks about daily pressures which lead people into a deep and dark hole. As many people in society, try to navigate daily life, our current socio-economic challenges do not make living any easier, especially for Black women. As a soap artisan, I have decided that I need to spread a message on mental health and intentional self-care. I focus on women because in the South African context, women experience several challenges. 

Now, one might ask themselves what gender equity has to do with soap making. Well, we often underestimate the value of how looking after ourselves helps us to see the bigger picture. When one become more intentional about self-care practices, they become more aware of themselves and everything else that is happening around them. As a budding soap artisan myself, it is essential to advocate for skin deep beauty practices. There is a crucial need for advocacy and a call to action for beauty brands to highlight that the outside matters but the soul does too. 

Here is a list of for how we can discover the beauty within:

1. Unsilence yourself

We often wonder why the world is the way it is. Everyone is depressed and anxious about tomorrow. Global socioeconomic inequity according to race and ethnicity, gender, class, caste, and other human identities determines who has privilege and access to mental health care. Living in this tough socioeconomic climate is difficult for vulnerable populations, especially Black women who have a history of being silenced. The culture of silence in itself when people are struggling is the reason why we have a silent mental health pandemic that not many people are talking about. Therefore, Black women need to find ways to unmute themselves from conversations that they feel that they are not qualified for. Our experiences make us experts of our own lives and using that experience can be a voice for many who are still silenced for being who they are. 

2. Human were created to create

The reason why many people are suffering in their silence is because we are not creating anymore. As a soap artisan who is passionate about making soap and gets excited over saponification, I cannot believe that I have spent all of these years consuming. The culture of consumption is the reason why society finds itself where we are right now. Making something with your own hands helps people to develop ways to cope with unwanted thoughts. This could be knitting, crotchet, writing books or blogs, cooking, making soap, making candle, drawing. I believe that everyone has a talent and if one feels that they do not have one, exploring and learning new things is one way to find out. 

3. Do all the things that scare you

This piece of advice goes for me too. We often doubt ourselves, we underestimate how much we hav to offer as Black women and this has to stop. I believe that the reason why we have a mental health crisis is because people feel stuck. They do not see how much their presence has a positive impact on their families, communities, workplaces and the rest of the world. Therefore, it is important to maximize our gifts to the fullest because talent goes with bravery. Our greatness is hidden under fear and insecurities and once we let go of what other people  think of us, I believe that one would be on the right path to being fulfilled. So make a complete fool of yourself because all great things start with fear, but the good news is that the more you do something that you are good at, the more one becomes an expert at their craft. 

Keep on reading for more support

I know that one article will not help to beat depression and anxiety because everyone needs help. For those based in South Africa, the following contacts will be helpful in finding the support that you need in your journey to cope with the pressures of life as we know it today. Remember that brave people talk to someone and until one accepts all their internal flaws, it quickly shows on the outside. A good beauty regimen is important but your heart matters too. Contact the following organizations for more mental health support:

Suicide Crisis Helpline
0800 567 567

Department of Social Development Substance Abuse Helpline
0800 12 13 14
SMS 32312

Cipla Mental Health Helpline
0800 456 789
SMS 31393

NPOwer SA Helpline
0800 515 515
SMS 43010

Healthcare Workers Care Network Helpline
0800 21 21 21
SMS 43001

UFS #Fair Kitchens Chefs Helpline
0800 006 333

8AM-8PM TOLL-FREE HELPLINES

Dr Reddy’s Mental Health Helpline
0800 21 22 23

Adcock Ingram Depression & Anxiety Helpline
0800 70 80 90

ADHD Helpline
0800 55 44 33

Pharma Dynamics Police & Trauma Helpline
0800 20 50 26