10 inspiring quotes on mental health to give you comfort

Mental health is an indispensable part of our life. It includes our emotional, psychological and social wellbeing and it plays a crucial role in decision-making and coping with different aspects of life. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”

When your mental health is in bad shape, it takes a toll on your physical health and affects your overall wellbeing. Millions of people suffer from mental health issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the USA alone, 1 in 5 people experience a mental illness each year. A study titled The burden of mental disorders across the states of India: the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990–2017 revealed that in India, 197·3 million people had mental disorders, “including 45·7 million (42·4–49·8) with depressive disorders and 44·9 million (41·2–48·9) with anxiety disorder.”

If you or someone you know is going through mental health issues, you need all the support you can. In addition to seeking clinical help, you can try to find a source of motivation through the inspiring words of those who were on the same path once and found their way out. They can show you perspectives that might help you cope with the situation. Just like a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, their words can help you find hope and strength.

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” – Khalil Gibran

It’s easy to slip into depression when a tragedy strikes. It can happen to anyone. Losing your job, a scary accident, fighting a disease—life can turn upside down at any moment. While it’s an unfortunate and difficult phase, it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. Tragedies can help you grow into a stronger individual. They can make you wise and undefeatable. History is filled with such examples of brave souls who changed the world because they didn’t give in to their untoward circumstances. This mental health quote suggests that if you’re going through a difficult phase in life, don’t let stress or depression stop you from becoming a stronger version of yourself.

“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.” – Fred Rogers

What’s the value of a treasure no one has ever found? The same as the value of words you have never spoken. Keeping your feelings, your deepest fears and pains bottled up can eat you from within. It’s like feeding the negativity with your own hands when you should attempt to overcome it. Know that your fears are not as big as they seem. And the more you share them with your loved ones, the weaker their hold gets on you. They become less frightening and you have a better chance of overcoming them by talking about them with those who matter.

“You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you.” — Dan Millman

Controlling our thoughts is not easy but it’s essential for our peace of mind. If we let our thoughts run wild, especially in difficult circumstances, they can cause stress, anxiety, panic attacks, anger, and whatnot. To win over these difficult emotions, we need to be at the helm of our mind, controlling our thoughts every time they threaten to run amok. For this reason, several experts recommend practices such as meditation and exercise. They can help you relax and find stillness. You learn to focus on things instead of falling into the rabbit hole of overthinking.

“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.” – Nido Qubein

If you have failed in your journey, don’t worry. Start over again. Never forget that you are the creator of your destiny. Not your circumstances or the overwhelming odds against you. If failure and pain are what you have found so far, keep searching, keep going. Start again from scratch if you have to. But remember, until you give up, you are only winning.

“One small crack does not mean that you are broken, it means that you were put to the test and you didn’t fall apart.” — Linda Poindexter

Resilience is the sign of a true warrior. It’s a virtue that keeps people from falling apart. That’s how kings ruled their kingdom, explorers found new lands, scientists build space crafts, and likewise, you can turn your dream into reality. But glory comes at the price of not quitting, persevering, and conquering your fears. According to this inspiring mental health quote, once this truth has become clear, no stress or fears can weaken your spirit.

“If we start being honest about our pain, our anger, and our shortcomings instead of pretending they don’t exist, then maybe we’ll leave the world a better place than we found it.” – Russell Wilson

This mental health quote makes you question what makes winners different from others? The answer—their boldness and honesty. They are bold because they are fearless. They are not afraid of setbacks or trying again for the nth time. They are honest because they don’t hide behind anything. They accept their failures and acknowledge all the negative emotions that threaten to consume them. They understand it’s normal to feel angry or sad. Instead of becoming prey to their thoughts and circumstances, they learn the lesson and start again.

“The best way out is always through.” – Robert Frost

Life is like an endless labyrinth that, sometimes, offers dead ends and sharp corners, and other times, puzzling routes and a sense of loss. It, however, also shows a way out from the ordeal to those who are brave enough to face them. Often, quitting seems like the best option when the going gets tough but it only broadens the distance between you and your dreams. So come what may, stand your ground and don’t retreat. The only way to reach your goal, even if it’s as small as walking 500 steps a day, or as big as starting your own company, is to face your challenges head-on.

“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.” –Rabindranath Tagore

In your journey, you often lose sight of the goal. It often happens when negativity, anger, and stress begin to steer the wheel. But as long as you can imagine the feeling of crossing the finishing line, you will know how pleasant the eventual experience will be. This quote on mental health stresses that if you can visualise your destination, the present circumstances will never haunt you.

“Your now is not your forever.” – John Green

It doesn’t take time to change. If today is bad, tomorrow can be good. If tomorrow is worse, then wait for the day when everything will be alright. That day will come. Don’t let your present circumstances stop you from achieving what you want. Be patient. If negative thoughts begin to overpower you, take a deep breath and remind yourself that bad situations don’t last forever. Patient people do. Your time will come. Until then, wait and keep smiling.

“Self-care is how you take your power back.” — Lalah Delia

It is important to help our loved ones and support our community when they are facing adversity. But this doesn’t mean you should neglect your own wellbeing. Self-care is not selfishness. It’s a need you shouldn’t forget about. When you take care of yourself, like doing something you love, singing your favourite music, watching a good movie, or eating a dish you like, you keep negative thoughts at bay. And that means more room for inner peace and happiness.