Column: Glenn Fubler On Mental Health & More
[Opinion column written by Glenn Fubler]
This Mental Health Month, the Minister of Health has reminded us of the importance of regular physical activity – a half-hour per day to boost physical and mental health. This is based on the body/mind connection, a reality not yet fully appreciated in western medicine.
Any holistic approach which nurtures resilience in mental health includes:
- Regular physical activity [as mentioned]
- Engaging regularly in nature.
- Being self-aware regarding media consumption
- Enjoying the arts
My own passion for music recently led me to an impressive children’s trio from South Africa – Biko’s Manne – through YouTube. I’ll return to that wonderful experience later.
Many cultures, including ours, stigmatize mental health challenges, stoking shame in those experiencing symptoms of imbalance. There have been ongoing efforts locally and globally over decades to address stigma. Family friend Michael Radford served for some time in Bermuda, before retiring, as a psychiatrist. He has shared aspects of the benefits of an integrated approach to health.
Recently, concrete steps have been taken towards a more progressive model, both institutionally and culturally. Over the past year, there is evidence of something of a renaissance in this regard, championed by the likes of the BPSU, whose President – Armall Thomas – is demonstrating visionary leadership, promoting a transformative approach to mental health.
A renaissance would involve us collectively maintaining regular physical activity; enjoying nature; monitoring our media consumption; and benefiting from the arts in various ways. Biko, Manna, and Mfundo are three siblings whose heartwarming musical presentations – covers of old favourites produced in their home – demonstrate the impact of culture.
Through YouTube over the past few years, these children [they began when 14 and under] have demonstrated significant artistry with great warmth and palpable joy. It’s obvious that the three youngsters have a supportive family who nurture their talents, but, more importantly, their sense of being is shining through brightly. It is evident that their journey is nurturing resilience in theirs and their audience’s mental health. Their artistry, produced from their home, has been appreciated globally, with their cover of Stand By Me having two million views.
This leads to another significant factor impacting mental health: media. We are living through some of the darkest of times post WWII. We’ve had a year of genocide in Gaza carried live on social media, including the boastful impunity of perpetrators, and belatedly, the spreading violence in the Middle East. Additionally, there is other significant violence in various parts of the globe and political insanity on an unprecedented level, fostering extreme polarization.
With this backdrop, rather than fostering a climate of reflective dialogue regarding the roots of the major conflicts toward a diplomatic resolution, we have the opposite. The global elites are ignoring the vast majority of the human family, as reflected in the votes in the UN General Assembly. They are openly ignoring – except the Presidents of France and Spain recently – the input of global institutions such as the UN, World Court, Red Cross, etc.
In this climate, an important proactive step towards mental health would include careful reflection on the amount of media consumed.
Empathy is arguably the most important characteristic for a mentally healthy human being. Observing coverage of the unmentionable cruelty, such as 2,000lb bombs resulting in the deaths of thousands of children, is a substantial challenge to collective mental health.
This level of inhumanity is only possible based on extreme racism, resulting in an absence of empathy. Once, while watching Biko’s Manne, it hit me that these three children from South Africa are emblematic of those considered ‘other’ by global elites. However, their light, in spite of these dark times, offers something more than hope.
The legacy of South Africa – a work in progress – has offered the globe some guidance. In January 2024, the Rainbow Nation stood up against global elites, charging the Israeli government with genocide before the World Court. Initially standing alone, they have been joined by other nations and the sentiment of billions around the globe. These three children from South Africa, while not addressing the matter explicitly, offer a beacon as their open hearts, open hearts, and minds.
Biko, Manne, and Mfundo are shining a light that inspires a depth of global connection and mental health, reminding us that we are indeed one human family.
- Glenn Fubler
Read More About
Category: All
