09/10/2026
When we don’t understand something, sometimes we fear it.
What does it mean for me?
How will it affect me?
Could it harm me?
Mental health can be particularly vulnerable to this kind of thinking because so much of it is invisible.
If you have never experienced depression, anxiety, panic attacks, trauma or another mental health challenge, it can be difficult to understand what another person may be experiencing. And when we don’t understand, it can be easy to place people into a separate “basket” — to see their behaviour or diagnosis before we see the person.
But there is often so much more behind what we see.
Trauma, loss, adverse life experiences, biology, relationships, environment and circumstances can all influence our mental health. Experiences from childhood or adulthood can shape the way we respond to the world around us — sometimes in ways that aren't immediately obvious to others.
So perhaps World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to replace judgement with curiosity.
Instead of asking, “What is wrong with this person?” perhaps we can ask:
“What might this person have experienced?”
“What might they be carrying that I cannot see?”
“How can I respond with greater understanding?”
We don't need to understand someone's entire story to treat them with dignity.
Sometimes compassion begins simply with recognising that there is a story.
And that creates a more inclusive, compassionate and connected community for all of us.
