The Importance of Mental Health Awareness
Mental illnesses impact 19% of adults, 46% of teenagers, and 13% of children each year. Those grappling with mental health challenges could be anyone around you-family members, neighbors, teachers, coworkers, or fellow congregants.
What is mental health-theorenacademy?
Mental health is about how people think, feel, and behave. Mental health care professionals can help people manage conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, addiction, and other disorders that affect their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Research is starting to uncover the complicated causes of these diseases which can include genetics, brain chemistry, brain structure, experiencing trauma and/or having another medical condition, like heart disease.
Types of mental health disorders
The three most common mental health conditions are:
Anxiety Disorders :
Each year, over 19% of adults face some form of anxiety disorder, which includes conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and specific phobias.
Mood Disorders :
Mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder, impact nearly 10% of adults each year and are marked by challenges in regulating mood.
Schizophrenia disorders :
Schizophrenia often refers to a spectrum of disorders characterized by features of psychosis and other severe symptoms.
Early signs
No physical test or scan reliably indicates whether a person has developed a mental health condition. However, people should look out for the following as possible signs:
avoiding activities they would usually enjoy
sleeping too much or too little
eating too much or too little
feeling hopeless
having consistently low energy
being confused
withdrawing from friends, family, and colleagues
being unable to complete daily tasks, such as getting to work or cooking a meal
having persistent thoughts or memories that reappear regularly
using mood-altering substances, including alcohol and nicotine, more frequently
displaying negative emotions
experiencing delusions
suicidal thoughts
Treatment
Various methods are available to help manage mental health conditions. Some strategies and treatments are more effective when combined with others. Individuals with mental health disorders may choose different options at different stages of their lives. It is important for an individual to work closely with a doctor who can help them identify their needs and provide suitable treatment.
Here are some treatment options for those with mental health conditions:
Psychotherapy
The therapeutic treatment of mental disease by a qualified mental health practitioner is known as psychotherapy. Psychotherapy aims to enhance a person’s well-being by investigating ideas, emotions, and behaviours. The best combination to support recovery is medicine and psychotherapy. Dialectical behaviour therapy, exposure therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and others are a few examples.
Medication
Medication does not outright cure mental illness. However, it may help with the management of symptoms. Medication paired with psychotherapy is the most effective way to promote recovery.
Case Management
Case management coordinates services for an individual with the help of a case manager. Several ways to aid in rehabilitation can be evaluated, planned, and carried out with the assistance of a case manager.
Self Help Plan
A self-help plan is a special kind of health plan in which a person uses wellness-promoting techniques to manage their illness. Plans for self-help may focus on recovery, wellbeing, triggers, or warning indicators.
Complementary & Alternative Medicine
A self-help plan is a unique health plan where an individual addresses his or her condition by implementing strategies that promote wellness. Self-help plans may involve addressing wellness, recovery, triggers or warning signs.
Resources
Great sources for mental health news and information include:
National Institute of Mental Health
Mental Health America
Pine Rest Mental Health Resources