We are advised to go for health check-up every year (for those above 50 years old) and every 2 to 3 years (for those younger and are rather healthy). But it seems that mental health or our psychological wellbeing are never part of it.

During the last two years, I started to see some younger people who are generally not doing too badly coming to see me. Why?

“I just want to know if I’m okay.” (usually facing some major events in life)

“I don’t want things to get worse or out of control.” (usually feeling a little “not right” but still manageable)

“I don’t see why not [doing this]. It’s good to speak to professionals to learn about ourselves anyway” (same with the above)

“If there’s a problem, I want to solve it. If it isn’t, it’s good to know, and I get to understand myself and improve my resilience or coping skills anyway” (same with the above)

When I first came back to join the local mental health field, I used to think that the Malaysians would only see a mental health professional as a last resort, if they had any other choices, they wouldn’t come to us. So usually when they finally show up and ask for help, their problems are in almost their worst form, with comorbidity and complications (Do you know that when you ignore/suppress your emotion and the information it’s trying to tell you, it can show up as some physical symptoms?). It is often hard and taking a lot of time to help them get better. But…

Things start to change! (just a little, but it’s worth writing!)

These people make me happy, as their therapist, as a practitioner in the field, as a person in the community. People start to see the importance of looking after their own emotional and psychological wellbeing, when it feels a bit not right or when they are a bit unsure, before things get worse and too complicated. People start to see the need to get a “psychological check-up”, our health is no longer just about the physical health! Not just that, it’s also about improving our self-awareness, general wellbeing, coping abilities and resilience! People are now more open to learn about psychology, and improve their general sense of psychology wellbeing.

What do you think? Will you do so?