The Battle Between Person and Society: Finding a Balance for Mental Health

The Battle Between Person and Society: Finding a Balance for Mental Health

Mental health has become a paramount concern globally. As per the WHO, One out of four people globally are affected by mental or neurological disorder at some point in their lives. Increasing awareness and attention have been laid on the mental health of an individual, which quantifies the effective functioning of the individual in all arenas of life.

The article aims to discuss the meaning of finding a balance between an individual and society for mental health. Society plays a crucial role in case of an individual’s mental health, but it can also act as a catalyst that triggers lack of acceptance, discrimination, and other negative impacts on one’s psyche.

The Battle: Person Vs. Society

Society has its pre-set standards and expectations for an individual that may not always align with an individual’s own beliefs, aspirations, and opinions. The lack of conformity between one’s own beliefs and society’s expectation can lead to multiple consequences detrimental to one’s mental health.

Unyielding societal expectations can force an individual to sacrifice their space, individuality, and freedom to fit their image into society’s pre-set mold. On the other hand, maintaining complete defiance against the norms of society can lead to alienation, discrimination, isolation, and inequality, further aggravating the delicate balance of one’s mental health.

How does the Balance Affect Mental Health?

Creating a balance between an individual and the society’s expectations can have a wholesome effect on an individual’s mental health and well-being. The self-acceptance that comes with the balance of individuality and society’s norms leads to an overall feeling of positivity and reduces self-criticism.

Studies have shown that balance between an individual and society’s expectations lead to improved cognitive functioning and emotional stability. Individuals who have a balance between their own beliefs and social norms are less prone to depression, anxiety, and other forms of stress.

Steps to Find Balance for Mental Health

It is essential to find the balance between the societal expectations and personal beliefs for a healthy mental state. Here are the steps that an individual can take to find and maintain balance.

Identify your own beliefs and values

The first step to finding balance is understanding what an individual stands for. Identifying one’s personal beliefs and values can help in ensuring that the societal expectations align with the individual’s own principles. This can reduce the feeling of dissonance between the individual and the society they are part of.

Evaluate society’s norms and expectations

After identifying one’s own beliefs, it is necessary to evaluate the societal norms and expectations. Evaluating the societal standards can help in understanding their relevance and their impact on an individual’s mental health.

Create balance in individual and societal beliefs

Once the individual’s values and expectations have been identified, it is necessary to create balance between one’s own values and the societal expectations. It involves understanding the relevance of both and finding a common ground that ensures an individual’s well-being while still aligning with society’s expectations.

Conclusion

The battle between an individual and society is an ongoing process, and finding balance between the two is key to achieving mental well-being. The alignment between personal beliefs and societal expectations creates a healthy environment that promotes positivity and self-acceptance. Each individual must create their own balance that aligns with their beliefs and social norms while maintaining one’s values and beliefs. Finding balance is the need of the hour for improved mental health and a continual step towards a healthy society.