Mental health can be described as a state of complete psychological, emotional, and social well-being. It includes an individual’s way of thinking, feeling, and ability to relate to others. Unfortunately, mental health, though important, appears to be one of the most ignored issues. Oftentimes, we pay attention to our physical health, trying to solve the least disorder we notice in our physical health, but we do not channel that same level of attention to our mental health. However, mental health also has an impact on physical health.
For instance, anxiety could increase palpitations, which could lead to heart failure and other cardiovascular problems. This has contributed to a lot of people living with poor mental health without noticing until it escalates. Mental illness could start as little as having negative thoughts about oneself but could escalate to the point of committing suicide or homicide.
Mental health could change over a period of time, which could be a result of several factors such as stressful work, economic hardship, failed relationships, stigmatization, discrimination, abuse, domestic violence, and many others.
Now let’s look at some signs of poor mental health.
Some signs that could suggest a mental disorder include regular sadness, loss of interest in day-to-day life, negative thoughts, anxiety, low self-esteem, forgetfulness, etc. Hence, seek immediate help once you notice such conditions in your everyday life.
What happens if your mental well-being is impaired?
Yes, there are effective ways of handling and treating mental disorders, such as seeing a psychiatrist, seeking help from mental rehabilitation centers, and many others. However, it is important to mention that most people with mental illness are not able to access these options, which could be because of financial constraints, ignorance, and others. Hence, it is important to protect and maintain good mental health. Do not do things that jeopardize your mental health.
According to research, some best ways to deal with mental disorders are;
- Learn to understand and manage your emotions
- Talk to someone you trust for support
- Draw closer to nature as nature gives much calming effect
- Be aware of using drugs or alcohol to cope with difficult feelings
- Eat healthy food
- Throw the past behind you and plan things to look forward to
Related To This: The Importance Of Mental Health
REFERENCES
1. World Health Organization, Mental Disorders
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders
2. Strengthening Mental Health Promotion. Fact sheet no. 220. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.
3. Centers For Disease Control And Prevention CDC, About Mental Health
4. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/our-best-mental-health-tips
5. Mental health atlas 2020. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021
