Recognizing Issues and Finding Solutions for City People
Life in a city is very exciting—the hustle-bustle of city life, boundless opportunities, and diversity of culture. But behind the façade of such vibrancy is a developing issue: mental health issues. Because I am an individual who feels strongly about this issue, I decided to design a plan that would delve further into the subject of City life problems and solutions. I interviewed four city dwellers about their problems with mental health and how therapy could help tackle these issues.
Cities are cities of convenience; however, this convenience often comes at the cost of something. People in these cities go through problems such as overcrowded spaces, high stress levels, limited time to themselves, and constant exposure to noise and pollution, which are elements that might trigger or aggravate mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and burnout. Indeed, city life problems and solutions often go hand in hand.
In an attempt to understand it better, I talked to three people from varied walks of life who had each story to share. Here is what they told me:
1) Anjali, 29 years old, IT Professional
Anjali said that she could hardly make it through her days from one blur of deadlines and meetings and night longers. “I feel like I’m running a race that I can never win,” she said. She explained how she is anxious about striking a balance between work and personal life. Anjali said she would like to consult a therapist but was afraid of being judged by her friends and family. These common city life problems have pressured her to seek solutions in therapy.
A therapist could educate Anjali in this case, on handling her stress management along with training about time management techniques and removing any fear related to judgments about being wrong or inferior. An instrumental method by which she would benefit from could be CBT.
2. Ravi, a 34-year-old Entrepreneur
Ravi shared how the pressure of running a startup took a toll on his mental health. “The fear of failure keeps me awake at night. I’ve lost count of the sleepless nights,” he said. He mentioned feeling isolated despite being surrounded by a team.
A counselor would benefit Ravi by dealing with his phobias and showing him techniques of stress release and burnout avoidance. Group therapy or support groups for entrepreneurs may also help him feel less alone. Understanding city life problems and solutions is crucial for someone in his position.
3. Akash, 21-year-old College Student
Akash said social media was a boon and a bane. “I compare my life with others all the time, and it’s exhausting,” he said. He mentioned how he feels inadequate and how this affects his confidence and relationships.
Therapy can help him develop healthier responses to social media and also come out of his low self-esteem. Mindfulness and self-compassion will help him navigate that.
Therapy is not only a treatment for grave psychiatric problems; it can also be a form of prevention for urbanised people who face a set of unique difficulties. Therapists provide a judgment-free zone where people can discuss any concern or learn mechanisms to cope with problems and grow in their lives. For those averse to traditional in-person consultations, online therapy has become the most flexible and easy-to-access. There are many solutions for city life problems, and therapy is an available and effective one.
Commonality among the three interviews included societal stigma being a barrier to seeking help. Therapy is to be made commonplace through open discussions and sharing success stories so that people overcome these barriers. By treating mental health at par with physical health, it has been proved that seeking medical assistance when needed can be a sign of strength rather than weakness.
These stories woke me up. They brought home the message that mental health issues need to be recognized early and appropriate solutions sought. If you or a friend is suffering, take the first step. It may be through therapy, support groups, or just opening up to a trusted friend. Help is always available.
Cities may never slow down, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find our own pace. We can actually thrive in the midst of chaos by being proactive about our mental health. Recognizing City life problems and solutions is essential in taking those steps.
You may also visit therapy options at Happy Labs, an exclusive portal for connecting you to licensed therapists who understand the nuances of city life. They personalize their approach so that you are supported to live a healthier and more balanced life.
