How Can We Contribute to World Mental Health Day Through Acts of Kindness?

World Mental Health Day

It feels appropriate to discuss mental health today as I'm leaving the hospital following my cancer scans.

As I’ve spoken about before, I am struggling with my mental well-being on the heels of a very tumultuous few years.

Navigating PTSD and extreme anxiety alone is hard enough, but the added stress of cancer and lupus flares brings a whole new level to balancing my mental health. I’ve been experiencing panic attacks almost daily, but it’s always been in the safe place of my home. Today, my anxiety took a new turn, walking into the hospital for my testing.

I started feeling anxious but had already done deep breathing and visual exercises in my car before entering. I was positive I had it all under control.

After checking in, the first thing was a stress test to check on my heart health, and then I changed into a gown for my scans. While changing, I suddenly felt my face flush, my heart racing, my body shaking, and my vision blurring. I struggled to breathe and started crying. I felt like I was going to pass out. I sat on the cold floor and quickly realized this panic attack was on another level. I scanned the changing room and spotted the cord to pull for emergencies. I had to ask the nurses for help, which was a first for me. I couldn’t get the words out, and initially, they thought it was a heart attack but quickly realized it was a panic attack. More nurses and a doctor came to help, and I was given something to calm me down. One nurse even prayed for me while holding my hand. Not only was I terrified, but I was embarrassed.

Once I could calm down and get the attack under control, we moved on to the scans. The nurses and technicians were terrific and handled me with kid gloves. They didn’t rush me. Instead, they praised me for my bravery in continuing. My feelings were many things; bravery was not one that I felt. As my body started to calm and my thoughts were clear again, I asked them to shuffle through my music while in the scan. I could hear them chatting about my eclectic taste in music. From Michael Bublé to Stained, MJ to Ed Sheeran, to Meditation and Christmas music. They would choose a song and ask if it was calming enough for me. It became the name this tune-in-5 notes game of distraction. Today, it took a village of caring people to help me through my anxiety attacks and my tests. My mental well-being was put into the hands of strangers. It was very much out of my comfort zone, but it was a realization. Our mental well-being is not ours to carry alone. In fact, our mental well-being can be affected by many relationships. This means that whether directly or indirectly, we all have a tie to each other to take care of each other. Please don’t be the reason someone struggles with their mental wellness. Please be the reason someone smiles. Please be the light in someone’s darkness.  

Today, I was the recipient of light and love. I am returning the kindness by writing this article. I know it’s not enough to thank them, and I will find a better thank you, but I wanted this article to be able to help others. By sharing my story, I hope it sheds light on the need for a more empathic world. This highlights the need for understanding and being part of the solution, not the problem. You never really know the true impact you have on those around you. You never know how much your kindness can turn someone’s day around or how much someone needs that long hug or deep talk. So please don’t wait to be kind. Please don’t wait for better circumstances or someone to do it first. Just BE KIND. You never know how much someone needs it.

All my love and light,

Fab xoxo