What we frequently get wrong about mental health

Everybody talks about mental health so much these days; yet, somehow, we misunderstand it the most. We have a sea of information that is easily accessible to us, but very little understanding of what emotional pain actually feels like. From what I understand of Baek Se-hee’s book, I Want to Die, but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, which was referred to in a recent Mint column (‘Why reasons needn't be ascribed for poor mental health,’ 27 October 2025), it is about a woman experiencing dysthymia who also talks about how she seeks comfort in her favourite food. The book is about her mental health journey.

- SAHANA SHARATHKUMAR

First, [want to clarify that therapy is not something that is meant only for people who are struggling with an illness. The field has moved beyond holding one’s parents and childhood responsible for what one experiences. The school of thought come from has taught me that therapy is ‘Islands of work in an ocean of empathy.’

Thus, therapy is also for self-growth, understanding oneself, developing a healthy relationship with oneself and so much more. I also want readers to understand that it is absolutely human to want to talk through things and to feel vulnerable. There is a lot of strength in vulnerability.

While I appreciate the intention of the author who wrote the column that refers to Se-hee’s book, there were certain things that I felt I could clarify for Mint readers about how the professional view on mental health has evolved.

Three common pitfalls deserve close examination.

One, generalizations of how a person experiences emotions and their condition.

Two, an emphasis on the use of labels.

Three, misconceptions about how a person’s self-esteem can affect them.

Now let’s look into each one of them in some detail.