Importance of Spreading Mental Health Awareness
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October 03, 2022
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Importance of Spreading Mental Health Awareness
The world celebrates mental health awareness on the 10th of October, 2022. This year the significance of mental health awareness is even higher as we find ourselves living in the post-COVID era. This aligns with the theme chosen for this year, which is “Make Mental Health & Well-Being for all a Global Priority.”
There was no nation prepared enough in advance to face the consequences of the COVID crisis, and this was evident when governments across the globe shut down the affected states of their nations to prevent the spread of the virus. As the citizens recovered from the lockdown restrictions, they had to adapt to changing times, and this is where issues related to emotional well-being were evident.
Some of the population had to deal with the loss of life and livelihood, and few had to deal with isolation and separation from their loved ones. All of these factors added up to the existing stressful conditions and made it difficult for those who were reluctant to seek help. They had to struggle in silence without knowing that seeking help from an emotional well-being counselor would’ve eradicated and remedied most of the common mental health issues with ease.
Why is it Important to Spread Awareness?
Mental Health Awareness is a campaign that runs during the month of October to help those who’re suffering from mental health issues. It is a way to educate the population about various mental health issues and raise awareness of the research and treatments to reduce the stigma associated with emotional well-being issues. There are common misconceptions and false narratives revolving around mental health, and this makes the affected suffer in silence and not seek out treatments for their existing conditions. Let’s look at the various causes of mental health disorders:
Causes of Mental Health Problems
There can be a wide range of causes that could relate to the existence of mental health problems in children and adults. In some instances, you may observe a combination of numerous complicated factors, and in a few cases, you will be able to clearly identify if a person is more deeply affected by certain issues than others. Listed below are some of the factors that could equate to a period of poor mental health;
- Trauma, neglect, or abuse caused during childhood
- Extended social isolation or loneliness
- Racism, discrimination, and other such social stigma
- Poverty, debt, social disadvantages
- Loss of someone close to you
- Experiencing severe or long-term stress
- Worsening physical health condition
- Unemployment or lack of financial stability
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Bullying, domestic violence, or other such abuse as an adult
- Serious incidents that made you fear for your life
- Physical causes – neurological conditions, epilepsy, head injury, etc.
Apart from the factors mentioned above, there could also be lifestyle factors involved, such as work, diet, habitual disorders, lack of sleep, etc.
According to detailed research conducted by mental health institutions, it is also suggested that some mental health problems could also run in families. It is not yet known if any specific genes cause mental health problems. Also, in a majority of the cases, those experiencing these conditions don’t have parents, relatives, or children with the same condition.
What Are The Symptoms of Mental Health Issues?
There could be single or multiple symptoms associated with emotional wellness issues, and these can again vary depending on the circumstances, disorders, and other factors. Our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are usually affected by these symptoms.
Some of the symptoms are;
- Feeling sad or emotionally drained
- Reduced ability to focus or concentrate on your tasks
- Excessive fear or an extreme feeling of guilt
- Frequent mood changes irrespective of the situation
- A feeling of withdrawal from friends and activities
- Extremely low energy, problems in sleeping, and significant tiredness
- Delusion or detachment from reality, paranoia, or hallucinations
- Inability to cope with day-to-day problems, causing a build-up of stress
- Trouble in understanding and relating to conversations, people, or situations
- Major shift in eating habits
- Excessive and abnormal hostility or anger issues
- Suicidal thoughts and lack of self-love
You might also experience some symptoms that could lead to physical problems, such as back pain, headaches, stomach pain, and other unexplained pains and body aches.
Tips to Improve your Mental Health
Find Your Self Worth – Learn to value yourself and treat your own life with the kindness and respect you would show others. Avoid self-criticism and stop judging your actions in every little thing you do. Broaden your horizon and think with clarity. Create time for your hobbies and favorite projects.
Treat Your Body Right – Taking care of your physical well-being can play a pivotal role in improving your emotional well-being. Eat healthy and nutritious meals, avoid smoking and alcohol, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly as this can decrease depression and improve your mood, and give your body the rest it deserves by sleeping on time.
Surround Yourself with People Who Care About You – Having strong connections in the family or establishing a strong bond of friendship with those that care can keep you in the best mood all day long. A support network can prove to be essential in times of need. Seek activities where you meet new people, indulge in conversations, and create a positive support group.
Set Realistic Goals – List down your goals and decide on what you want to achieve personally, professionally, and academically. Write down the important steps that will help you get closer to those goals. It is necessary to aim high, but it is equally crucial to set realistic goals and not over-burden yourself with the expectations of others. Every time you realize or accomplish a goal, the sense of achievement will improve your self-worth and help you progress towards your long-term goals.
Seek Out Help When You Need It – Most of us find it difficult to accept that we need help, and this is where we are wrong. On the contrary, seeking help shows immense strength and wisdom. It proves that you know how to take care of yourself and will do what it takes to take care of yourself. People who seek and receive appropriate care at the right time will always recover from mental health issues and addictions a whole lot better than those who choose to struggle in silence. And hence, it is always recommended that you visit an emotional well-being counselor whenever you find it difficult to recover from the symptoms or signs of emotional struggle.
Always remember, you can re-balance your life and overcome any difficulty by reaching out to the right people. An emotional health coach will set you on the right path by suggesting an appropriate course of action and thus help you experience an improved quality of life.