“Do you do psychological assessments?” asked a client. I could feel the sense of desperation and despair in his eyes as he shared his feelings about things that are just not working out in his life. He wanted to know ‘what was wrong’ to finding solutions to his life problems. I then turned around and acknowledged his desire to better his life and if he would like to have assessments done, that is possible. Then I took the opportunity to share the holistic approach to mental health- we try to find ‘what is going right’ in one’s life first, and identify their strengths. We can together identify external strengths they already have in their lives such as supportive friends or family members. The client was pleasantly surprised by this but was also interested to learning more about the holistic approach to mental health.
Being a social worker in many different settings including schools, public mental health care, and Non-Governmental Organisations, I have been drawn to the holistic approach to mental health. Humans are not just physical beings. We are emotional, spiritual, physical and social beings. Whilst I appreciate the medical model of tackling mental health issues, I find it most fascinating to incorporate holistic mental health approaches to support clients to overcome their challenges. Through holistic mental health care, one can become the most capable human being to maintain optimum mental well-being.
We need ongoing, mental health care services that are consistent with one’s values and style. It is like hiring a gardener that you like. You won’t just need a gardener to come by one day and look after the garden. You would need a gardener to come by regularly to weed, feed the garden and maintain its health. Same with your mental health. It is so important to link with a mental health service that can support you throughout your life’s journey, on a sunny, cloudy, rainy or stormy day. That is why I am so excited to be a part of the Asoka Health team to deliver the services that you would need on any given day, without judgement. We want you to feel welcomed, appreciated and cared for without sorrow.
Why not reach out to Asoka Health today and explore how you can grow your mental garden to its most beautiful state? I would be delighted to be there for you as you blossom and thrive in every aspect of your life. We are a team of qualified, compassionate and caring mental health professionals that believe in your strengths. Thanks for reading the blog and I look forward to working with you.
Written by Esther Hockey
Social Worker at Asoka Health
Source photo: https://www.freepik.com/photos/flower-garden