"We have to accept that it is not due to our moral failings, or laziness, but actual illnesses that we are combatting," Dr Maumoon Shareef said, early in the start of our conversation.
Too often, mental health illnesses are left untreated, considered not a 'valid illness', or even not worthy of seeking professional help.
This leads to many complications, and sometimes even tragedies, for individuals, and society, that could have been potentially avoided with proper professional care and early intervention.
"When our body is facing stressors on a constant basis, actual biological changes happen. These changes bring about actual biological symptoms. Mostly to do with our thinking, and our ability to deal with stress. So these are actual medical illnesses," Dr Maumoon Shareef said, early in the start of our conversation.
"We have to accept that it is not due to our moral failings, or laziness, but actual illnesses that we are combatting."
Dr Maumoon Shareef heads the Hulhumale' Hospital Mental Health Centre and is a leading psychiatrist in the Maldives.
We had a long conversation covering mental health issues and care in the Maldives, adolescent mental health, mental health in the work place and other concerns.
Dr Maumoon believes that one of the main changes that could be affected in the country to allow more prompt access to mental health care is the establishment of a more robust public health care system.
This video is part of our conversation. Over the coming days, we will be sharing further videos of our conversation with Dr Maumoon focusing on specific areas, where he shares his expert opinion that could assist us in better dealing with our daily lives and minds as it flows and ebbs.
One thing to keep in mind is, take care of your mind, like you would the rest of your body. Early interventions if you see those around you struggling are crucial.
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