​​It's hard to believe but most of us have never been taught -by our doctors, educators, spiritual leaders or even our parents- how to practice self-care and effectively self-soothe when we're feeling anxious or depressed. As a result, we've become ashamed of our emotions, especially when the intensity of which we feel them causes us to act erratically or out of character. This reality is made evermore daunting by how utterly unprepared we can be to cope with the isolation and disorientation that often accompanies life's major challenges, such as the onset of an existential crisis or the loss of a loved one. 

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Truth be told, even most mental health professionals lack the insight and skills necessary to holistically address the insidious nature of stress and trauma. This is largely due to the fact that the current mental healthcare model all but denies the vast influence that a person's physiological health has on their mental wellbeing. As a result, most mental health clinicians overlook the profound impact that hormones, medications, diet, exercise, and an individual's environment has on their gut/microbiome, which has a direct impact on their brain.

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Perhaps you've been there yourself—sitting through a 50-minute therapy session, barely scratching the surface of your pain, only to be told, “See you next week.” If that doesn't help, psychological evaluations and medication are often the next step. Despite this seemingly thorough and earnest approach, the proof is in the pudding -it's just not enough. We must acknowledge its inefficacy and strive for a better, more holistic and comprehensive, methodology if we have any chance of ending the mental health crisis. ​​​​​​​