Mental Health Is Gaining Traction

Opening up about mental health or as far as even expressing undesired emotions had been considered a stigma since times immemorial with men asked to man up, and women asked to shut up. However, with times progressing, the stigma associated with mental illnesses is fading, with more and more people understanding its gravity. (Deacon, M., Warne, T. and McAndrew, S., 2006)

What Exactly Is Mental Health?

Mental health implicates our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It influences how we feel, think, and act. It also actuates the way we handle stress, make choices, or relate to others. Mental health is important through every stage of life, right from childhood and adolescence to adulthood.

People often use the term ‘mental health’ to imply the absence of a mental illness.

Mental health can affect day-to-day lives, routines, relationships, as well physical health.

However, this link typically also works the other way around. Various aspects in an individuals’ life, interpersonal relations, physical and environmental/circumstantial factors can all contribute to mental turmoil.

Mental conditions such as stress, anxiety, or depression can affect mental health and disrupt the sufferer’s entire routine. (Keyes, C.L., 2005)

Some Of The Most Common Mental Illnesses Include:

1. Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
2. Depression, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders.
3. Eating disorders.
4. Personality disorders.
5. Psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia.

The Current State Of Mental Health Awareness:

Over the past couple of decades, suicide rates have risen, especially among young adults. And the ongoing COVID pandemic has resulted in acceleration of the already dire crisis, giving way to what many mental health professionals have labeled as the ‘second pandemic.’ 

The pandemic confronted people all over the world with isolation, loneliness, anxiety, depression, frustrations, insecurities, addictions, and fears by psychology

However, mental health is gaining amplified traction with the help of increased literacy rate as well use of social media and people more open and willing to discuss the subject. (Walsh, E. and Freshwater, D., 2009)

What Measures Can Be Taken To Improve The Mental Health Crisis?

• Despite progress in some countries, individuals suffering from mental health conditions often experience stigma, discrimination, disregard, or even severe human rights violations.

• Several mental health conditions can be effectively treated at relatively modest costs, yet the gap between sufferers needing care and those with access to it remains enormous. Adequate mental health treatment coverage remains extremely low.

• Despite progress in some countries, individuals suffering from mental health conditions often experience stigma, discrimination, disregard, or even severe human rights violations.

• Several mental health conditions can be effectively treated at relatively modest costs, yet the gap between sufferers needing care and those with access to it remains enormous. Adequate mental health treatment coverage remains extremely low. (Hogan, M.F. and Goldman, M.L., 2021)

Increased Investment Is Required On All Fronts To:

1. Improve understanding and reduce stigma for mental health
2. Efforts to increase access to quality mental healthcare and treatment
3. Research to improve existing treatments as well as identify new treatments for all mental illnesses.

In 2019, WHO launched the WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health: Universal Health Coverage for Mental Health (2019-2023). This initiative aims to ensure 100 million more people in 12 priority countries have access to affordable and quality care for mental health conditions.

Some Measures Each One Of Us Can Take To Better The Mental Health Crisis:

• Volunteer in community organizations near you that could use your help.
• Support mental health advocacy organizations with the help of your donations
• Advocate for policy modifications with your elected officials that prioritize mental healthcare and education.
• Seek treatment if you require it. Show your near and dear ones you are committed to your own mental health and well-being.

Everyone deserves to live a happy and healthy life without being held back or even disabled by mental illnesses. If you feel you or any of your loved ones may be struggling with any mental health condition, seek help immediately. (Jorm, A.F., 2012)