Stating that situations like ‘Do what you like, avoid what makes you unhappy’ should not come to mind when talking about mental health, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “You don't climb the hill of happiness with your hands in your pockets; it's not climbed via flowery paths. It requires effort, getting tired, and sweating. If happiness is a goal, a hill, a summit, then we need to invest in reaching it.” Tarhan also stated that there is a great need for awareness regarding mental health.
Üsküdar University Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, stated that days like October 10, World Mental Health Day, aim to create awareness, adding, “There is a great need for awareness regarding mental health.”
One Must Know Their Strengths and Weaknesses!
Prof. Dr. Tarhan explained that the first stage of mental health is self-awareness, that is, knowing oneself; the second stage is self-management; the third is knowing the other party, empathy; and the fourth is relationship management. He stated that one must know the answer to the question, ‘What are my strengths, and what are my weaknesses?’
Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that when mental health is mentioned, situations like ‘Do what you like, avoid what makes you unhappy, if something makes you unhappy, leave it, live your life, if your child makes you unhappy, let go and live your life’ should not come to mind. He said, “There is no such life. This makes people extremely selfish. It develops individual narcissism, social narcissism. This is very dangerous. It leads people to loneliness and unhappiness. As a result, depression increases.”
Instead of Fleeing Unhappiness, One Should Ask 'How Can I Overcome It!'
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, stating that the modernist fallacy has changed humanity's philosophy of life, continued as follows:
“Let's consider this psycho-SWOT analysis (where individuals or institutions discover their strengths and weaknesses and consider existing opportunities and threats before taking action towards a specific goal). To evaluate possibilities and opportunities, we first need to know the goal. What are the opportunities, threats, and possibilities that might arise on the way to that goal? To know these, one must first have a purpose in life, and life goals. If a person with goals encounters unhappiness on the way to their goal in such situations, they should ask, ‘How can I overcome this unhappiness instead of fleeing from it?’ You don't climb the hill of happiness with your hands in your pockets; it's not climbed via flowery paths. It requires effort, getting tired, and sweating. If happiness is a goal, a hill, a summit, then we need to invest in reaching it.”
Adolescence Extended to Ages 25-30…
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan pointed out that prolonged adolescence is an epidemic worldwide, stating, “Adolescence has extended to ages 25-30. The child within them is still 10-15 years old. You see, the child within them can easily fall into that happiness trap, for example, falling in love with someone who shows interest. They can do unconventional things without fundamental values, things that are not in line with moral norms. These individuals cannot perform emotion regulation; that is, they cannot regulate their emotions. Life means a life with rules.” he explained.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that mental health is a human right, adding that while material prosperity has increased worldwide, psychological well-being is at rock bottom, suicides and divorces are on the rise, and Turkey is also progressing in this direction.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan explained that while families used to teach cultural norms, now the media does, and currently, the world is in an era entirely focused on pleasure, indulging in consumerism and luxury, and inflated egos.
The Age of Egoism…
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also stated that there has not been a period in human history where egoism has globalized to this extent, adding, “That's why they call this the age of egoism, meaning a person putting themselves and their interests above those of others, being selfish.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan pointed out that where there is egoism, there is no happiness, stating that happiness is linked to external reasons, as if to say 'you would be happy if you had this,' whereas happiness is intrinsically motivated.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan emphasized the importance of living in the moment and appreciating today, saying, “Humanity will learn from the past, look to the future, but live today. This should be the philosophy of life; otherwise, we are wasting our intellectual energy, our mental energy.”
Look at the Children of Educated People…
Pointing out the necessity of properly educating the next generation, he explained, “The Ottomans achieved the longest-lasting things with justice. For example, look at people who are currently successful, professors, etc., their parents were farmers, tradesmen… They raised their children that way. But now, look at the children of those educated people; they are running away from home, using drugs. This is purely an education error, nothing else. They are focused on work and don't pay attention to their children.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan also stated that children need to spend time with their parents, emphasizing that mental health is important in the family, and if the family, which is the building block of society, does not exist, that society is doomed to collapse.
Investing in the Future; Not in Stone and Soil, But in People…
Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, “It is beneficial to consider family mental health and societal mental health along with individual mental health. Otherwise, we cannot invest in our future. Investment in the future is not an investment in stone and soil, but an investment in people.”