Renowned therapist Raquel Hopkins is sparking a conversation about mental health with a thought-provoking message shared on her Instagram channel.
In a recent video, Hopkins challenged widely accepted notions of self-care and emotional well-being, arguing that true mental health isn’t about avoiding stress but rather building resilience.
Hopkins opened her statement by questioning the common phrase “mental health is important.” She asserted that society often misinterprets this sentiment, treating mental health as something to protect rather than a skill to develop.
“Mental health isn’t something that you protect,” she explained. “It’s something that you use. It’s a vehicle.”
Challenging the Culture of Avoidance
Hopkins addressed the popular approach of prioritizing emotional comfort, warning that avoiding discomfort under the guise of mental health can lead to emotional fragility rather than strength.
“If your definition of taking care of your mental health means cutting people off, only existing in safe places, setting boundaries, and avoiding anything toxic, you don’t have mental health. You have fragility,” she stated.
She went on to explain that true mental health is about adaptability and strength, not dependence on ideal conditions:
“It means stress destabilizes you instead of stretching you. It means you mistake challenges for threats, discomfort for danger, and boundaries for personal growth when all you’re really doing is buying yourself time.”
Resilience Over Fragility
Hopkins emphasized that genuine emotional well-being comes from navigating life’s hardships rather than escaping them. She urged her audience to rethink what they mean when they talk about mental health.
“If your mental health requires the world around you to accommodate it, then what you have isn’t strength. It’s dependence on the right conditions,” she concluded.
Her message has resonated with many, sparking discussions on social media about the difference between self-care and avoidance. Some have praised her direct approach to emotional resilience, while others have questioned whether certain mental health struggles necessitate protective boundaries.
“You are my new favorite page. I’m so glad I found this. You are on here giving great information.
” one person commented
Another user commented:
“Building a stronger mental cope ability for what comes at you in life, I don’t believe means you should tolerate all people or environments that are a cinder block on your ankle. Building the mental strength to know if a challenge is good or bad, or worth it for you should be the goal. None of the above should suggest that we blow off responsibilities. There are things we want to do, need to do, and have to do.”
Regardless of the debate, Hopkins’ statement has ignited an important conversation about what it truly means to be mentally strong in today’s world.
