In the era of Instagram models and pretty tiktokers, we can easily get carried away scrolling through their perfect lives and flawless bodies, but are they truly as perfect as they show themselves to be?

In our modern society, our idea of what one’s body or face should look like has been tarnished. Everyone is programmed to want to look a certain way, and if you don’t, then society says you’re not conventionally beautiful. This has shattered a lot of young people’s self esteem around the world, which in turn effects their mental health.

Aware have dedicated an article surrounding this issue and different methods to overcome it. I identified with what the author said because, like most people, I had issues with my body image, and it may have affected the way I dressed and acted around people. What helped me overcome it was the realization that those social influencers are only showing us what they want us to see or what they like about themselves, and they too may have body image issues like us. I found the advices in the article important, and they may help anyone that is going through something similar. So, start following people that inspire you on social media, learn how to take compliments and accept them, and treat yourself like how you would treat your loved ones.

We went for a walk away from the city, in a calm atmosphere along the seaside to blend in with the outstanding nature. All group members attended this walk, where we agreed on keeping it with the absence of our phones and electronics. Away from our everyday lives, this walk was unexpectedly useful in some strange way as it cleared our minds from all the stress and crowded life of ours. Moreover, it provided us with relaxed and peaceful mind. We enjoyed nature, the sound of the sea in specific since it has a positive impact on an individual’s mental health.

Coronavirus has recently caused widespread anxiety and stress among people from all over the world. Over the past few months, coronavirus has been on the minds of my family, friends and colleagues, and is at the center of any conversation with them. I noticed that social media platforms have a significant effect on spreading fake news to the public which cause them to be freaked out and panicked. I was thinking of the role of healthcare professionals to battle the misinformation associated with coronavirus and how they can raise awareness by guiding people to protect themselves and to make them less stressed. While coronavirus anxiety is running so high and hospitals are overflowing with fearful people, many health workers are working more hours and giving most of their time to help their societies and educate them. I believe that feeling anxious can lead to poor outcomes and can put society in a difficult situation. I think that the main problem with coronavirus is that its complications are very similar to influenza so some people get confused. Also, It can spread very fast and might cause death in some cases. What touched me during this crisis is that there are some nonprofit organizations with the help of volunteers are cooperating to fight this virus and raising awareness for families impacted by coronavirus to be less stressed and to overcome this hardship.

This week, get to know us a little bit more and learn about each of our personal reasons on why we’ve chosen to participate in an elective concerned with mental health.

I am Deemah Alquraish, I’m a 20-year-old foundation year student in RCSI. I come from Saudi Arabia and I’ve lived there my whole life. I chose this elective because mental health means a lot to me, especially because I want to be a psychiatrist. I hope by the end of this project we could raise more awareness and help people in any way possible.

I am Dalal Roohaldeen, a foundation year student at RCSI that is willing to participate in the Harbour2harbour walk for the sake of mental health awareness. Raising this awareness and making a difference might be a difficult challenge to reach. An individuals well-being is an important aspect of this topic, where it  contributes to all the success that can be achieved. Progress is accompanied by the ability to cope with obstacles and challenges that arise everyday. Therefore, it is important for the community as a whole to offer help and support, and raising awareness is a good start.

Hello, my name is Ali. I am a foundation year medical student in RCSI and a participant in the annual Harbour 2 Harbour Walk. One of the reasons I have chosen med school is to raise awareness of mental health issues like depression and anxiety as they are on the rise globally. Through this initiative campaign, I found a unique opportunity to get engaged in supporting and helping people with mental health problems. Also, It allows me to send a message across Ireland and the world to; change peoples’ views on the stigma associated with mental health problems. I believe that if we all collaborated to spread positive feelings, emotions and behaviors towards people with mental health issues, we can improve others’ mental well-being and create a better environment for them. I would encourage you all to take part in this campaign and to share our message with the world.

I am Anshula, a 19 year old medical student at RCSI. I come from a country where mental illnesses are a social stigma. I have witnessed a good friend of mine struggle with depression and face discrimination, which had a negative impact on her life. This incident made me realise the importance of good mental health. Doing harbor2harbor walk will give me the opportunity to contribute towards depression support, and spread more awareness about mental illnesses and the importance of changing our attitudes towards those who are suffering with it.

My name is Sabrina, and I am currently studying medicine at RCSI. This elective is focused on spreading awareness on mental health and as a student in such a course that is so high in pressure, I’m most intrigued in mental health topics that will be discussed which I can apply not only in the future as a medical professional but also as a student. I’m aware that medical students and professionals are more prone to developing issues with mental health. I hope to be able to care for others in terms of mental health and so I want be well educated in the subject and learn the skills to cope with the adversities I may come across. With this elective, I’m able to spread awareness of mental health especially in the sector of profession I am in.

We hope that what we’ve shared will resonate with our readers in any way and that it has given insight on our interest in mental health.

Resilience is defined as “the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.”¹ The resilience series shows that these difficulties will be there no matter who you are or what you do. Whether it’s abuse, chronic disease or one’s sexuality. No matter how perfect someone’s life may look, the possibility to get depression is always there. And it should be treated just like any physical disease or disorder. But getting through the hardships of life and the mental health issues that come with it does not only require a simple tablet. While medications play a big role in mental wellbeing, therapy, and a supportive environment are equally important. It is also necessary to know that resilience is a process and it should be taken one day at a time. Simple things like a goodnight’s sleep, exercise, or any spiritual or religious practice can help to cope with depression. Taking some time off to acknowledge your problems and deal with them is crucial because mental wellbeing is just as important as your physical health.

You can find the resilience series on https://www.aware.ie/resilience/

Sources: https://www.lexico.com/definition/resilience

We’re a group of five students from RCSI whose aim is to raise awareness for mental health and wellbeing. We hope our contribution can make a change however small it is.