If We Are to Care at All, or Not to Care, Let’s Care About Our Mental Health

by Olayinka Esanju, Co-Founder and Global Director

If we are being honest, we do not always care about everything equally. Life is demanding, attention is limited, and energy runs out. So perhaps the real question is not whether we care about everything, but what we choose to care about most. If we are to care at all, then mental health deserves to be high on that list.

At first, mental health can feel abstract. It is not always visible and does not announce itself the way physical illness does. However, over time, it quietly shapes how we think, how we relate to others, how we work, and how we cope when life becomes difficult. In many ways, it is the foundation on which everything else rests.

Because of this, ignoring mental health rarely means nothing happens. Instead, stress accumulates, burnout becomes normalized, and emotional distress is explained away as “just part of life.” Gradually, functioning replaces well-being, and survival replaces growth.

Yet, when we pause and pay attention, something important becomes clear: mental health is not only about crises. It is about everyday balance, self-awareness, boundaries, and support. It is about having the capacity to respond to life rather than constantly react to it.

Moreover, caring about mental health is not a sign of weakness. On the contrary, it is a practical decision. Research consistently shows that good mental health improves productivity, relationships, physical health, and overall quality of life. In other words, caring about mental health is not separate from caring about life outcomes; it is directly connected to them.

So where do we go from here?

We start small. We talk more openly. We check in with ourselves and with others. We seek credible information, community support, and professional help when needed. Most importantly, we stop treating mental health as optional.

If we are to care at all, or even if we are selective about what we care about, let us choose to care about our mental health. It influences everything else we say we value.

Call to Action

At Piquant Health Foundation, we believe mental health awareness, education, and community engagement are essential to healthier societies. We invite you to read more of our insights, stories, and resources on mental health by visiting the Piquant Health Foundation blog and checking out our brochure to learn about what we have done so far, our mission, and what we plan to do next: Piquant Health Foundation Brochure.