Getting Help: Mental Health
Mental health is a large aspect of an individual’s well-being, and it is just as important as physical health. However, for the most part, mental health awareness is greatly lacking, despite the fact that one in four people experience a mental health problem within their lifetime. This is problematic as the consequences of poor mental health can be very harmful, potentially affecting both the individual and the people around them.
A large portion of the population often dismiss mental health, perhaps thinking the topic is irrelevant to them. This is not true. In the world, there are more than 600 million people who are suffering from depression or anxiety. To put that into perspective, ¼ of the people you interact with, be it in the workplace or in your social circles or in your own family, have mental health problems. It is wrong to believe that mental health problems are irrelevant to you, considering how many people, some even your coworkers, friends, or family, suffer from these problems. Mental health is not a matter to be taken lightly. Mental health problems often cause alienation, anger, fear, and feelings of hopelessness for individuals. In some cases, these problems can even drive people to take their own lives.
That being said, there is definitely still a stigma of mental health problems that persists even to this day. There are many societies that view mental health problems to be threatening and uncomfortable, making it difficult for many people to speak up about mental health problems for fear or exclusion and discrimination. In 1999, the U.S. Surgeon General said that stigma is likely to be the greatest barrier to mental health care, and that eliminating this stigma and the phenomenon of social distancing would help individuals struggling with their mental health to be honest and to be able to ask for necessary medical assistance. This will allow for huge improvements in worldwide mental health and for a great reduction of economic burden, as the World Health Organization and World Economic Forum recognize mental illness to be the health issue that is the largest economic burden in all nations. By having better awareness of mental health problems there would be a drastic progress towards worldwide mental health, which would be beneficial to society and to individuals in various ways.
In order for this to happen, it is important to make an environment where it is “normal” to have issues regarding mental health, an environment where people with mental health problems are able to seek the help they require without fear of stigma. The most important aspect in creating such an environment is becoming educated -- to learn about various mental health problems and to understand how prevalent it is within society. Learning and being able to recognize early signs of mental health problems may help your loved ones in seeking professional help when they need it, allowing for earlier treatment and recovery.
If you think a family member or friend seems to be struggling with their mental health, express your concern, support, and love for them, reminding them that you are there for them if and when they need help. Also important is to find out whether your loved one is getting the care that he or she needs and/or wants, and to connect him or her to professional help if the person is currently not getting it. Communicating about mental health problems is not easy. It is important to discuss mental health when and where your loved one feels comfortable and safe, and to communicate straightforwardly and in a manner appropriate for their age. It is also important to watch for their reactions throughout the discussion, slowing down and backing up when he or she becomes panicked or upset. However, you must remember that as much as you want to help, you cannot force your loved one to talk to you or seek help. It is their life and they are responsible for their own decisions, and that includes when they choose to seek help.
In the case you think you may have a mental health problem yourself, or if a loved one suggests you may need help, you should get professional help. It could be a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or a different mental health expert. Even if you think you’re probably fine, it is better to be safe than sorry. It is better to seek professional attention when you do not require it than to not seek professional attention when you need it. Additionally, it is impossible for a person to have perfect mental health, and improvements to mental health can be made for anyone and everyone. By becoming more aware of mental health problems and more open and expressive about them as societies, it is possible to vastly improve worldwide mental health.
References:
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/#.W3j-JdgzbOQ
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brick-brick/201405/the-stigma-mental-illness-is-making-us-sicker
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brick-brick/201405/the-stigma-mental-illness-is-making-us-sicker
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/friends-family-members
