Is Mental Health and Suicide spoken about?

By James Katende – How are we, as people, making sure that mental health and suicide are spoken about, and more importantly, that real actions are being taken to reduce the rates? In recent years, the topic of mental health has slowly come out from behind closed doors and into the open.

We now live in a time where conversations about anxiety, depression, trauma, and emotional well-being are no longer as heavily stigmatised as they once were. There are more public discussions, social media platforms are filled with awareness posts, and even celebrities and public figures are speaking about their struggles. However, while awareness is a step in the right direction, awareness alone is not enough. The deeper question is whether all this talking is leading to real and lasting change. Are we turning these conversations into policies, into safe environments, into daily practices that genuinely support mental health? Or are we still stuck in a cycle of sympathy without real support?

One of the first things to recognise is that just speaking about mental health does not mean we are solving the issue. Yes, breaking the silence is important, but what happens after the talking ends? Many people are still suffering in silence, unable to access the help they need. Long waiting lists for therapists, expensive counselling sessions, lack of trained professionals, and the continuing judgment in workplaces and communities all serve as barriers. If we truly care about reducing the rates of mental health struggles and suicide, then our commitment must go far beyond spreading hashtags or making emotional posts once a year. It must involve building real systems of support, and those systems must be reachable, affordable, and consistent. We must be willing to invest time, resources, and energy into solutions, not just into statements.

Education plays a powerful role in changing the future of mental health. From a young age, people should be taught not only to understand their emotions but also to express them in healthy ways. Schools should create safe spaces for students to talk without fear of being dismissed or judged. Teachers and staff must be trained to recognise early signs of mental distress and know how to respond appropriately. Mental health should be viewed as part of overall health, not as a separate issue that is only addressed during moments of crisis. When children grow up in environments where it is normal to talk about how they feel and to seek help without shame, we begin to build a culture that supports mental well-being at its foundation. Prevention is always more effective than reaction, and creating emotionally aware communities starts with education.

Beyond Education

Beyond education, we must also change how we view strength. For too long, people have been taught that strength means silence, that being tough means hiding pain. This dangerous mindset is especially harmful for men and those in cultures where vulnerability is viewed as weakness. If we want to truly lower the rates of suicide and mental health struggles, we need to rewrite what strength looks like. Strength must include honesty, openness, and the courage to ask for help. We must celebrate people who seek therapy, who take time off for mental health, who talk about their fears, and who choose healing over hiding. By doing this, we remove the shame that often keeps people suffering in silence until it is too late.

Support must also exist outside of medical or professional spaces. Community plays a critical role in mental health. Friends, families, co-workers, and neighbours all hold the power to either help someone feel seen or make them feel invisible. We need to check on people even when they say they are fine, especially if we notice changes in their behaviour. We need to listen without judgment, offer help without conditions, and create environments where people feel safe being their true selves. It is not about having the perfect words or knowing how to fix someone. Often, just showing up consistently and showing that you care can make a huge difference. Sometimes, the presence of one kind person is enough to keep someone going.

Additionally, governments and institutions must treat mental health with the seriousness it deserves. This means increasing funding for mental health services, making sure there are trained professionals in every community, offering mental health days in workplaces, and including mental health coverage in all healthcare plans. Policies must reflect the reality that mental health is a public health issue. Every person deserves access to help, regardless of their income, race, gender, or background. The rates of suicide and mental health crises will not drop until access becomes equal and widespread. Laws must protect those who are struggling, and support must be given to those who are working on the frontlines of mental health care.

While it is true that we have come a long way in terms of talking about mental health and suicide, the road ahead is still long. We cannot afford to treat this issue as a trend or a temporary focus. Too many lives are being lost, too many people are carrying invisible pain, and too many families are being shattered by silence. The work requires all of us. It means listening better, judging less, acting sooner, and supporting more. It means being brave enough to have uncomfortable conversations and wise enough to turn those conversations into meaningful change. If we want to live in a world where mental health is truly valued and suicide rates are reduced, then we must commit not just to words, but to action. Every voice matters, every choice counts, and every act of care brings us one step closer to a future where no one has to suffer alone.