There are people who are always on time, reply to every message, keep their promises, and are the first to offer help. On the outside, they seem fine. Until the day when common tasks such as getting out of bed, taking a shower, working, or simply eating become difficult . As a psychologist, I hear stories like these frequently. Looking back, we often realize that the warning signs were already there. They had been normalized, postponed, or hidden behind phrases like “I’m just tired” or “This will pass,” gradually building into a snowball that can one day turn into an avalanche. Mental health is not a switch that places us in either the “well” or “ill” category. It is a continuum along which we all move throughout life, depending on our circumstances and the resources available to cope with them. Being mentally well does not mean being happy all the time. It means being able to experience sadness, fear, or anger without those emotions taking over completely ; maintaining relationships, making decisions, and continuing to find meaning in what we do. Today, we talk more easily about mental health than we did a few decades ago. This is an important change, yet a contradiction remains: we are often able to discuss the subject when it concerns “other people,” but we still struggle to recognize our own suffering. We live under constant pressure: endless work demands, financial worries, information overload, continuous notifications, and the daily comparison with carefully curated lives on social media. In this context, caring for mental health cannot be reserved for times of crisis, nor should it be a source of stigma . Prevention begins with paying attention Difficult periods are part of life, and not every form of suffering is a sign of illness. However, when changes in sleep or appetite persist, when interest in activities that once brought pleasure fades, when isolation increases, when irritability becomes routine, or when a constant sense of hopelessness emerges, it is important to pause and try to understand what is happening. Asking for help means recognizing limits and taking action before suffering becomes more severe. It is not failure . Psychological support can help us understand emotions, patterns, and difficulties, develop coping resources, and find new ways of dealing with what we are experiencing. How? In many situations, a family doctor can serve as an important gateway to healthcare and support in this broader area of well-being. The community is also a crucial part of prevention and deserves greater recognition. A conversation in which someone genuinely feels heard, a school that teaches emotional skills, a workplace that respects personal boundaries, or a family where it is possible to say, “I’m not doing well,” are all examples of promoting mental health. On this World Mental Health Day, I would like to remind you of something that may sound simple but is perhaps the most important step of all: do not wait for a collapse before you begin to take care of yourself . Ask, “How are you?” and be prepared to hear the answer. Notice the signs. Seek help when it is needed. Create spaces where no one has to hide their suffering in order to keep functioning. Be present. Truly see. Listen. Respect. Support. These are small things that we should do more consciously, because all of us can find ourselves on either side of the situation. Mental health supports every aspect of our lives. Prevention in this area is not about avoiding every difficulty life brings. It is about ensuring that, when difficulties arise, we do not have to face them alone . Taking care of yourself before a crisis is also a form of care. Caring for mental health is neither a luxury nor a weakness. It is a shared responsibility. Author : Sara Castellano (psychology) Meet the psychology clinical team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item. English translation generated with AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
