World Mental Health Day If you are in the mental health profession or are suffering from mental illness then 10 October is probably a very special day for you. It has been marked by the World Health Organisation as World Mental Health Day in order to create awareness around mental health and wellness, as well as decrease stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illnesses and disorders. Around this time of the year I cannot help but to feel nostalgic about my personal journey as a graduate of clinical psychology and as I now commence my journey toward being registered as a psychological counsellor. I find myself reminiscing about every time someone told me what a good listener I was, or how I had helped them overcome some or other problematic life issue, and it really warms my heart to know that I have been well-aligned to what I have mostly believed to be my calling in life; to be a healer and a helper. It is an honour and a privilege to be granted the opportunity to help others reach their full potential by empowering them to tap into their own personal power and strengths with the aspiration of living their best life. This year has been particularly challenging for me because up until now I hadn''t managed to secure an internship in my field without which I wouldn''t be able to start practising. During the time of dormancy after graduation I felt the inevitable feelings of panic, fear and sense of hopelessness that I imagine all graduates face upon obtaining a degree. There is no bigger sense of disappointment than dedicating four years in a specific discipline only to be rendered unemployed and considered inexperienced even after years of practicals and skill-sharpening. It was during this time that I realised just how the work we do and our access to employment affects our mental health. The weeks and months that would pass by often had me playing out projections of the future in which I would remain unemployed and inexperienced for the rest of my career in terms of psychology. Naturally, when I heard people complain about Mondays or having to work up until five ''o clock it angered me because I can''t understand how and why one would have such a negative attitude towards the privilege of being granted the opportunity to work or to earn a living. I''ve come to realise that employment is something that many people take for granted and waste too many precious hours complaining about whilst there are others desperately searching for employment nationwide. I understand that some people may find themselves in a work situation whereby they are unhappy and dissatisfied but I also believe that we control our own destiny. My advice is to create an employment opportunity for yourself whilst waiting to be blessed with formal employment or to secure another job before leaving your current job, instead of constantly complaining about it and making yourself miserable in the process.www.yogabybeauty.wordpress.com