26/03/2022
The term ‘Masking’ has been around for many years. Its current resurgence is often associated with Mental Health or Autism. It’s a term commonly used when people present the ‘self’ they believe fits with school, the work place or within society. For people in professional roles, front-line workers, teachers, carers, for people working on the land, Masking, is not uncommon. That deep breath, the pause, the ‘she’ll be right mate’, the persona that ensures we keep ‘things in perspective’ or maintain a ‘professional distance’. It’s needed, it’s how the job gets done, it’s how we go on with life. Masking and compartmentalising our emotions/feelings and events can create healthy boundaries for professional and personal lives. Many trauma survivors are here to tell their story because they compartmentalised; after all, it’s this skill that allows people to survive painful experiences and abuse where they are otherwise powerless. It helps us manage our pain and our fears, it can be a healthy form of escapism.
Until it isn’t.
Current statistics on relationship breakdowns, dysfunctional families, addiction and su***de all indicate the long-term benefits of masking and compartmentalisation are not in line with the short term gains. Proactive mental health initiatives open up conversations, Helplines meet some of the need in crisis situations but let’s take a step back. Many of our coping strategies, functional or dysfunctional stem from our relationship with uncertainty, from things that are out of our control. What if we could change that relationship? What would happen if we had the courage to take off our masks when they are no longer serving our needs? How can we de-compartmentalise when it is so ingrained? It takes courage to take that first step, it takes courage to reach out for support, it takes courage to choose to make change.