In My Head

While people engage in daily practices of self-care, such as maintaining routines, socializing, and eating healthily, there is still a stigma around seeking therapy. This book seeks to challenge these misconceptions and encourage a holistic approach to mental well-being.

The narrative also explores the link between the economy and mental health, emphasizing the trillions of dollars poor mental health costs the world economy annually. Exploring the concept of 'psychological capital' to challenge the notion that people dislike working on their mental wellness. Instead, I argue that what people lack are the vocabulary, tools and framework to address it effectively.

I delve into four major global points of conflict – climate, conflict, contagion, and conformity – discussing their impact on mental health. Through storytelling, I connect cause and effect, highlighting the present and future implications on mental health. The book stresses the importance of recognizing signs of distress early and advocating for early intervention.

Expert opinions on neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders, such as ADHD and autism, provide valuable insights. I address the often-overlooked mental health challenges faced by older individuals and discuss the current state of Psychology as a profession, raising awareness in India.

The book concludes by tackling key questions and challenges in the mental health ecosystem, offering grassroots-level solutions. These solutions align with the principles of the '5 Adjectives,' a term I coined to guide a person's mental wellness journey. Solh works towards reducing loneliness, sadness, and unhappiness while enhancing happiness and promoting peace of mind. Readers will find effective tools and services to aid them on their path to mental wellness.

Working in the area of mental health was never something I had planned on pursuing. In fact, since adulthood people have always perceived me as someone with lesser emotions and someone slightly devoid of understanding the depths of stress, anxiety and sadness. While I have found some of this arguable (not that I have argued for them to take me as an emotional person), in reality even I have always found it difficult to understand the pressures that people seem to reflect. I could never lose my sleep over anything or get so depressed that I couldn't laugh or go about my day normally. Upon extensive soul-searching I identified that I have created a new system of gamification for myself, where I can play anything in life as a game (even the question of life-death). Well, more on this at a later point. Let's get back to the topic of the book here.

In the middle of everything that was going on 'In My Head' trying to make sense of the world, came COVID. During these unprecedented times of the COVID years (felt like an era), I witnessed the devastating impact it had on people and their well-being - how life was altering for them, situations were getting out of hand, everyone was struggling. While I still had some difficulty seeing myself there, I started to understand what was going on. You could say the frailties of the human head became visible to me. Perhaps, aspects that I had thrown into a bottomless pit came mid-surface. At that point, I knew something had to be done.

Add to it the mid-life crisis and a need to do something larger than life, I decided to devote myself to solving this big mystery. And herein came the epiphany that turned it all around. I realized that the reason I have been so good and balanced, and so able to not get too stressed is that I was always working on my mental health. Every action, every decision making, everything iv In My Head that I always did was influenced by my internal ability to think about its impact on my mental health.

It astonished me as I realized that every individual unknowingly does the same. From the food we eat to the people we meet to the sleep we take to whatever activities we engage in, our mental health is the invisible force shaping all our decisions. However, the reason we are unable to get benefitted from it is that we lack the right vocabulary, tools, and framework.

Collective mental well-being is essential not only for personal growth but also for the prosperity of our communities and our economy. The impact of neglected mental health for humanity as a whole is significant losses, hindered progress and lost potential. Fueled by this realization and driven by a desire to make a difference, I founded Solh Wellness. The vision was to create a place where everyone can access the right tools and solutions to take charge of their mental well-being; a place where we can empower individuals with the knowledge and resources they need to flourish.

This book is an extension of that vision. It aims to shed light on the power of our minds and the immense potential that lies within. By understanding and nurturing our mental health, we can unleash a force that propels us towards a brighter, more fulfilling life. Together, let's embark on a journey of self discovery and growth. Let's equip ourselves with the knowledge and understanding to embrace life's challenges with grace and resilience. This is a book for everyone who seeks to harness their inner strength and unlock the true power within.

Welcome to 'In My Head,' where we will explore the depths of our minds and unlock the keys to a healthier, happier, and more empowered life. Let's begin this transformative journey together.