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)
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)
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)
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.
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)