Mental health continues to be a crucial topic worldwide. A significant reason behind this is many people are unable to cope with pressures from all walks of life. Evidence-based statistics reveal that many lives are changing for the worst due to underlying mental conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one in five adults in the United States have a mental disorder. In previous years, it has received relatively little attention.
Fortunately, nowadays, governments, health experts, and healthcare organizations are establishing more initiatives to improve the mental state of the public. The World Health Organization, for instance, launched the WHO Initiative for Mental Health in 2019. The initiative’s primary goal is to make mental healthcare services affordable for individuals globally. In 2022, the organization launched another initiative, World Health Mental Report: Transforming Mental Health for All. The likes of WHO, CDC, NIH, NAMI, and charity organizations, to mention a few, are taking numerous steps to improve the lives of people with mental disorders. Not to forget, 2.8% of the global health budget goes to mental health expenditure (PAHO). The countless numbers of global mental health mitigation strategies give you a hint of the heaviness associated with the topic of mental well-being.
What is Mental Health?
Typically, it is that state of psychological and emotional well-being. It is a crucial topic because it determines how people go about their everyday lives. It is a key determiner of your choices and how you relate to society. Remember that it goes beyond the absence of an underlying mental disorder. Even a day of unexpected life circumstances can deprive one’s mental health, and this is why emotional and psychological health varies from one person to another. The high chances are that more than 90% of the global population have lived with a mental issue at least once or more in their lifetime, for example, stress. For many, deprived mental health is short-term, but the alarming rate of people living with chronic mental disorders is indisputable.
The Components of Mental Health
Emotional Well-being
Your emotions can trigger numerous possible actions, which is a critical aspect of mental health. The fact is, one cannot decide upon which emotions to experience. However, controlling how to act upon experiencing different emotions is possible. People commonly make irrational decisions because of their emotions at a particular moment or period. Health experts advise that, for good mental health, it is crucial to master the art of controlling your emotions, as they can be biased.
Cognitive State
The cognitive state is all about thoughts. Undeniably, thoughts contribute to a significant part of it because they affect how people feel and act. Your thoughts may not correctly reflect the situation, especially regarding adversities. When faced with life challenges, many folks overthink and mainly focus on the negatives. The repetitive cycle of negative thoughts ultimately develops into anxiety, stress, and depression. Thoughts are immensely powerful, hence can affect every other aspect of your life.
Behavioral Health
Behavioral health refers to habits that affect mental health. They include sleep, physical fitness, diet, substance abuse, and social relations. Generally, mental health and behavioral health co-occur. For instance, good sleep is beneficial and vice versa. Healthy social relations improve it because of adequate support from family, friends, and other loved ones in a person’s social circle. Isolation is one of the most significant contributors to poor mental health.
Common Mental Health Disorders
Depression
Depressive disorder is the constant state of low mood, lack of interest, and isolation. According to the World Health Organization, it is one of the most prevalent mental conditions and affects more than 280 million people worldwide. In the United States, depression affects roughly 8.5% of adults.
Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety disorder is a mental condition associated with excessive fear and nervousness. It primarily causes panic attacks and interferes with a person’s ability to function normally. Globally, anxiety disorder affects roughly 300 million people, including children.
PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychiatric and behavioral illness mostly experienced by folks exposed to shocking circumstances. 98% are either victims or witnesses of horrific events. The National Center for PTSD reports roughly 3.6% of the global population living with the condition.
Bipolar Disorder
A person with bipolar disorder experiences episodes of intense highs and lows. A typical observation is excessive excitement alternating with intense sadness and irritability. The Mental Health Foundation states that bipolar disorder falls among the top five most common psychiatric conditions worldwide. According to the American Psychiatric Association, the current global statistic for this disease stands at approximately 45 million folks.
Signs and Symptoms of Mental Illness
A relatable sign or symptom of mental disorders may help you recognize a problem concerning you or a loved one.
- Substance abuse is a common warning sign of a mental disorder.
- Excessive anger and irritability
- Disrupted sleeping patterns
- Lack of concentration
- Constant isolation is also a typical warning sign of mental illness.
- Inability to control emotions
- Suicidal thoughts
- Sudden and extreme changes in moods
Mental Health Risks
Certain risks increase the chances of developing a mental disorder. The common risk factors include;
- Stressful life circumstances
- Previous trauma—physical or emotional trauma
- A family history
- Social isolation
- Substance abuse
- Chronic health conditions like cancer, heart disease, etc.
Management Tips for Mental Health
- An essential step in mental health management is watching for a suspicious sign or symptom. This will give you a hint on where to begin.
- Do not ignore your emotional well-being. Be on the lookout for signs of emotional health struggles—it heavily impacts your psychological health.
- Practice mindfulness, as it will help you keep negative thoughts at bay.
- Develop healthy lifestyle habits: adequate sleep, good diet, proper hydration, physical fitness, etc.
- Set logical goals and expectations.
- Stay connected to others.
Get Help
Ignoring mental health does a lot of harm than you may perceive. Even the slightest emotional and psychological struggle deserves attention. While you may be busy trying to keep up with the pace of the world, it is vital to pause and care for your mental well-being. Take note of every life aspect that disrupts your mental equilibrium, learn how to handle the circumstances, and most importantly, seek assistance if necessary. Remember that the stigma associated with mental illnesses is constantly declining, and more people are accepting the existence of mental issues, thus, willing to assist those in need.