Mental health is not a binary state; it is an impermanent unique experience.

"Mental health is not a binary state: we are not either mentally healthy or mentally ill. Rather, mental health exists on a complex continuum with experiences ranging from an optimal state of well-being to debilitating states of great suffering and emotional pain (15). So mental health is not defined by the presence or absence of mental disorder." – World Health Organization (World Mental Health Report 2022)

Why bother? The main reason is the unnoticed deterioration of mental well-being. Today, you may feel a little blue, which can soon become a constant in your life, leading to severe depression without even realizing it. This is a true story of how to get really jumbled in a complex and detrimental thought process.

The World Health Organization (WHO) introduces a term that should be at the core of what we do: mental well-being. It is a continuum in our lives, something impermanent and complex. The importance of mental well-being is topic for everyone.

How might we? Having worked with numerous teams and individuals over the past 5 years, I have observed people's reactions when conversations about their mental well-being take place. Some of them were not even aware of their impact in depleting the bank of mental well-being of others. One tool I consistently promoted within the teams I worked with was providing feedback. By expressing how certain situations made them feel and being genuine and honest about it, individuals had the opportunity to grow and evolve.

What should I do? One technique I used for this purpose was the F.B.I. approach, which stands for Feeling, Behavior, and Impact. It allowed me to provide subjective perspectives instead of generalizing the feedback I had to offer someone. This approach was respectful of the inteligence of people, made things tangible and raised awareness in most cases. Although some individuals may be too self-absorbed to accept feedback, they were the exception in my experience.

Conclusion? It is perfectly alright to feel unwell and talk about it. It is natural to have emotions in tense situations, whether at work or in your personal life. What is not alright is to keep silent about it. Suppressing your feelings will only increase frustration and lead to severe health issues, while also damaging relationships.

Express your feelings, ensure that your intentions are correctly understood, and make feedback tangible. Remember, people are not mind readers, so do not expect them to know what you're thinking.