Embarrassed, ashamed, and afraid are a few of the feelings that usually stop us from talking about our mental health and the concerns related to it. However, living a fully productive life will depend more on mental health than physical health. So, what is mental health? There are still a lot of people around who are not aware of what mental health is and why it is so important. Not to mention, due to this lack of knowledge, there has been a high number of mental illnesses arising among today’s generation. To understand more about what mental health is and the significance of mental health, read on!
Definition of Mental Health
Mental health includes everything from social well-being to psychological and emotional health. It also affects how we act, feel, and think and how we handle stress. It also shows how we tend to relate to others in a particular situation or how we make choices and what influences them. Mental health is, hence, one of the essential parts of our lives, right from childhood to adolescence and even adulthood.
Throughout your life, you will find that mental health problems eventually do tend to change the way you think, act, and feel. Mental health disorders could range from very severe to mild conditions, which could differ from person to person and from condition to condition.
Significance of Mental Health
When a person is in a good state of mental health, they tend to find satisfaction and success in life. They also tend to have a positive outlook and better confidence in themselves. They also have their own goals in life and a sense of stability, which helps them accomplish tasks of their daily lives easily.
Those with positive mental health also tend to make better friends and maintain relationships. While these actions may seem relatively straightforward to some, there are often people who struggle with mental health problems and find it hard to cope with them. Mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression would have rather a negative effect on their emotions and even build friendships. This could also lead them to be secluded most of the time.
So, if you are asking what the significance of mental health is, then the answer is right here: mental health could affect the entire quality of an individual. While good mental health could positively influence life, on the other hand, mental health disorders could lead to negative thought patterns.
Why is World Mental Health Day celebrated?
Every year, World Mental Health Day is celebrated on October 10th. It is an international day for global mental health awareness, education, and advocacy against social stigma. It was initially celebrated in 1992 as an initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members in 150 countries.
On this day, people come together to understand the importance of mental well-being in our communities and individual lives. This day is also a platform for raising awareness about mental health issues and reducing stigma. Many people often do not seek out help due to the fear of judgment or social acceptance of mental health. However, on this day, people try to open up the conversation, which helps understand and empower individuals.
Types of Mental Health Disorders
Mental health disorders tend to have a terrible effect on the health of an individual. There are almost about 200 or more types of mental health disorders. However, here are a few of the kinds of mental health disorders that are usually found in our societies.
Anxiety disorders
People with anxiety disorder often tend to respond to certain situations or objects with dread or fear, as well as with physical signs such as panic or anxiety. They also quite usually get sweating, and a rapid heartbeat increases.
Behavioural and emotional disorders in children
Emotional and behavioural disorders in children often affect their mental health and cause difficulties with both behavioural and emotional aspects. This disorder also makes it hard for children to regulate their behaviour choices in a variety of situations. It also negatively impacts the development of a child.
Bipolar affective disorder
Bipolar affective disorder is a type of mental disorder that is also often referred to as manic depression. A person with bipolar disorder tends to experience episodes of depression and mania. The person may or may not have psychotic symptoms.
Depression
Depression is a mood disorder that is mainly characterized by a lowering of mood or loss of interest in life. It is more than just feeling sad. There are a lot of types of depression, and there are also various levels of severity based on the different types.
Paranoia
Paranoia is the persistent and irrational feeling that people are out to get you. Paranoia could also be a symptom of various conditions, including schizophrenia, personality disorder, or delusional disorder.
Post-traumatic stress disorder
PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is one of the types of mental health disorders that develop as a response to people who have experienced significant traumatic events. This could be either a severe accident or physical or sexual assault.
Symptoms of mental health issues
Treating mental health disorders at the right time is very important. It is, hence, important to be able to identify the disorder in a person. This can only be done if one is aware of the various symptoms displayed by a person having mental health issues. Here are a few of the symptoms that are commonly displayed.
Excessive worrying or fear
Avoiding social situations and friends
Feelings of sadness or isolation
Sudden mood changes from lows to highs
Problem with concentrating, completing, or learning specific daily tasks
Suicidal thoughts or self-injury
Causes of Mental Health Issues
Mental health disorders usually occur due to a lot of reasons. They could be due to abnormal genes that you may inherit from a parent or due to the changes in genes during your lifetime. Chemical imbalances in your brain could also lead to significant mental illnesses. Here are a few of the other causes of mental health issues.
Usage of alcohol or recreational drugs
Not having a proper support system of friends and family members
Having a family history of mental health disorders
Having a sleep disorder
Extreme stress in life
Having a traumatic life experience or a history of abuse.
How to Improve Mental Health
Anyone and everyone could have issues with their mental health. However, having the ability to maintain and improve mental health is the key to leading an everyday life. Here are a few tips that could help you improve your mental health.
Staying active
Talking to someone
Taking up a relaxation practice
Eating a brain-healthy diet that will help you gain solid mental health
Finding purpose and meaning in life
Supporting Others with Mental Health Issues
Caring for and supporting someone with a mental health disorder could be pretty hard. It is, hence, important to look after yourself as well while supporting those with mental health issues. Learning about your loved one’s mental health condition could also help you to support them better.
As someone who knows them well, you can play an essential role in caring for a person with a mental health disorder. Here are a few practical ways to do the same:
Be aware of the warning signs that your loved one is becoming unwell. A mental health safety plan that includes details regarding the condition could be very helpful.
Offering practical help such as preparing meals, helping them go shopping, or cleaning the house could also be a great way. People with mental disorders often find such daily tasks overwhelming. Eating and living in a pleasant environment is also necessary to facilitate recovery.
Conclusion
So that was all about what mental health is and how to improve mental health. While it may not be you who is having an issue with mental health, there might be a few people in our surroundings who struggle with such problems. Knowing and helping them to improve their condition should also be a part of our responsibility.
FAQ:
What are the 7 risk factors for mental health?
Here are the 7 risk factors that significantly affect mental health –
Social isolation or loneliness
Childhood abuse or trauma
Having a long-term physical health condition
Drug and alcohol misuse
Unemployment or losing your job
Domestic violence or bullying
Losing someone close to you
When should I seek professional help for mental health issues?
If a person is experiencing several issues at once and the symptoms are causing problems in working, studying, or relating to others, then he or she may need to seek professional help.
What are the current trends in mental health awareness?
Here are a few of the current trends in mental health awareness
Youth mental health focus
Trauma-informed care
Digital therapeutics
Transcranial magnetic stimulation
Exposure therapy in VR
What are the signs of good mental health?
A few of the signs that indicate good mental health can be provided as follows:
Improved physical health
Being able to learn and work productively
Establishing life goals
Having confidence in yourself
Good stress management