WHY MENTAL HEALTH

' Your abilities are not your limitations ’

Mental health is more important than your physical health. According to WHO mental health is “ a state of well-being that enables people to: realize their abilities, cope with normal stresses, work productively, and contribute to their community .” and

According to ‘ American Psychological Association’ mental health is a state of mind which includes-a state of well-being that enables people to: realize their abilities, cope with normal stresses, work productively, and contribute to their community.

IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH

Mental health is vital for the overall development and well-being of a person and also for the development of society as a whole. A good mental health helps in :

Coping with stress and work-life balance.

Building healthy relationships with people and society.

Overall physical development, reducing illness chances.

Positive contribution to society and overall country’s growth.

Our mental health impacts our daily life and overall health, thoughts, and behavior and sometimes dictates our nature towards other people or things.

COMMON MENTAL DISORDERS

Anxiety

Depression

Bipolar disorder

post-traumatic stress disorder

Eating disorder

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

emotional signs (sadness, irritability, mood swings )

behavioral signs ( loneliness, change in sleeping and eating patterns)

physical signs ( fatigue, headache, digestive issues )

cognitive signs (difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts )

Mental health-related data/statics

1 in 8 people globally ( around 970 million) live with some kind of mental disorder, which ‘Depression’ is the most common disorder (affecting around 300 million people ), according to WHO.

‘Suicide’ is the second most common cause of death in the US among individuals aged 10–34.

over 700,000 die by suicide every year worldwide, approximately one person every 40 seconds.

Mental health costs approximately 2.1 trillion dollars to the global economy every year, expected to reach $6 trillion by 2030 (WHO).

In low- and middle-income countries, over 75% of people with mental health disorders do not receive treatment (WHO).

TREATMENT AND CURE

Therapy and counseling by a recognized counselor/therapist.

Medication by doctors.

Lifestyle changes ( morning walk , exercises , meditation , yoga, and healthy diet )

The support system ( family, friends, society )

Changing surroundings ( going on vacation, enjoying a hobby, etc)

Mental health is just not an individual issue, rather it’s a collective issue of society. The role of society and surrounding persons is very crucial in determining the mental health of an individual. Reducing stigma and promoting a more open culture and conversation on this topic in society may prove the best therapy for improving mental health. Most of the problems can be solved just by telling to someone who just listens carefully.

“I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship”