Embrace your Villain Era this Mental Health Day

I've faced multiple mental health challenges since I was a teenager and strangely, this has made me more appreciative of my generation. As a queer person of colour, it's been great to see my peers prioritising mental health and dismantling the taboos that held us back in the past.

2023's World Mental Health Day theme, 'mental health is a universal human right', is a uniting theme that I strongly agree with. Everyone deserves to be protected. And I'm not alone - according to the WHO, 1 in 8 people globally live with mental health conditions, outlining the importance of treating our minds with as much care as our bodies.

But how can we comfortably address mental health disparities in our community?

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Understanding mental health disparities

Trigger warning: this section includes mentions of suicide

Mental health disparities sound like a mouthful but it's an important concept to grasp. In simple terms, it's about how different groups of people access treatment and cope with mental health issues. Basically, it’s who gets help and who doesn’t, based on factors like race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability.

Picture this - Black people are more than 4 times more likely to be the subject of ‘restrictive interventions’ such as being restrained or held in isolation while in hospital. 58% of LGBTQ+ youth who needed mental health care in the past year couldn't get it. And 41% considered suicide. If you throw in being transgender, nonbinary, or a person of colour, those numbers shoot up even higher.

In 2021/22, the most common impairment types among working-age adults were mental health (reported by 44% of people with disabilities in this age group) and mobility (43%). In those years, disabled individuals reported lower measures of personal well-being than non-disabled individuals, with the most significant disparity being anxiety experienced.

It’s not a light topic to discuss but it’s essential to understand. On the positive side, there are great steps being taken to break down these barriers and support marginalised groups. Mental health is a universal right, and it’s time everyone got to enjoy it.

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Choose the era for your care and wellbeing

We're fortunate to have platforms like Instagram and TikTok that can contribute positively to mental health awareness. Internet humour within different communities on social media has resulted in memorable mental health-related memes, making these conversations more approachable.

It's not just memes that social media is popular for. Creators, followers and those in between have reiterated embracing different eras to prioritise well-being. Whether it's the villain era, sloth era or soft life, these approaches can be forms of self-care and mindfulness. Do what works best for you.

Villain era

No, you don't have to kick puppies or start plotting world domination. The villain era is all about putting yourself first. If you want something, go and get it and don't be ashamed to ask for it. Set boundaries and say no to people-pleasing and being a pushover. Why is it called the villain era? Because you will soon realise that not everyone will like you for being assertive, but you don't need to be liked by everyone at all times.

Sloth philosophy

Soft life

Main character energy

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Useful Resources For You

We're all in this together, and it's essential to support one another. Here are some fantastic resources to share with those who may need them:

• Mindout: A mental health service run by and for LGBTQ+ people, offering global online support.

• Shout: A confidential 24/7 text service for mental health support (Text SHOUT to 85258).

• Black Minds Matter UK: A registered charity connecting Black individuals and families with free therapy by qualified Black therapists.

• Switchboard: An LGBT+ helpline and safe space for various discussions.

• Mendu: A community and app offering guided journaling prompts for marginalised women of colour, often overlooked in traditional wellness spaces.

Truthfully, it doesn't matter if you choose sloth philosophy or villain era. These ideals are all about a pathway to a happier, healthier you. So prioritise your mental health. Share your thoughts on how you're going to put yourself first for your mental health in the comments.