A Guide to Prioritising Your Mental Health

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, amidst the noise and distractions, it’s easy to lose sight of the importance of our inner well-being. Yet, within our minds lies a force that shapes our experiences and guides our actions – our mental health.

Despite its significance, mental health often remains overlooked or misunderstood. Understanding why mental health matters can shed light on its essential role in leading a fulfilling and balanced life. In this article, we explore its implications on our everyday experiences, the diverse ways it influences us, and the reasons why prioritising our mental health should be a universal concern.

What is Mental Health?

To understand mental health concepts at a deeper level, let’s first understand what mental health is. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in. Mental health is a basic human right. And it is crucial to personal, community and socio-economic development.”

It goes beyond the absence of illness; it’s about feeling content and navigating life’s ups and downs with resilience. It’s the ability to recognise one’s strengths, manage emotions effectively, and make sound decisions in personal, educational, and professional spheres. This positive state of well-being fosters strong relationships through improved communication and empathy, contributing to a supportive network of family, friends, and colleagues.

Furthermore, mental well-being is pivotal in fostering societal progress. When individuals enjoy good mental health, they actively participate in community initiatives, civic engagements and provide support to others, thereby fostering an inclusive and nurturing environment. Recognising mental health as a basic human right ensures equitable access to necessary care, fostering stronger, more unified communities and societies where everyone can flourish.

1 out of 5 people in India suffers from Mental Health Issues

Statistics reveal that mental health issues affect 1 in every five individuals, with 50% of conditions emerging by age 14 and 75% by age 24. Various factors, including long-term acute stress, biological influences, substance abuse, cognitive patterns like persistent negative thoughts, and social challenges such as financial difficulties and isolation, can trigger these conditions.

Symptoms of mental illness include:

Persistent negative thoughts,
Difficulty concentrating,
Fluctuating energy levels
Auditory hallucinations
The desire for excessive solitude,
Uncontrollable behaviour like extreme anger or sadness
Severe paranoia.

In India, despite growing awareness, mental health remains stigmatised. According to the National Health Program, 6% of Kerala’s population suffers from mental disorders, with 1 in 5 experiencing emotional and behavioural issues. The country has approximately 60 to 70 million people affected by common and severe mental disorders, with India holding the unfortunate title of the world’s suicide capital, recording over 2.6 lakh cases annually, according to WHO statistics.

Factors Affecting Mental Health:

1. Stress– In a competitive world like today, stress contributes majorly to mental disturbance.

Work-Related Stress: High job demands, long hours, job insecurity, and workplace conflicts can lead to significant stress.
Personal Stress: Managing personal responsibilities, financial worries, and relationship issues also contribute to high-stress levels.

2. Social Media and Technology: Social Media and Technology have become an integral part of our lives and definitely have given rise to several mental health issues.

Overuse: Excessive use of social media and the internet can lead to feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, and anxiety.
Cyberbullying: Negative interactions online can significantly harm mental health.
Inferiority Complex: The perfect body and lifestyle of an individual on social media can give rise to delusional and false expectations, leading to an inferiority complex.

3. Economic Factors: When everyone is chasing success and money, economic stability plays a major role in mental illness.

Financial Instability: Debt, unemployment, and economic uncertainty can cause chronic stress and anxiety.

4. Isolation and Loneliness: In a world where every corner of the world can be accessed by technology, isolation and loneliness are the key factors impacting mental health.

Social Isolation: Lack of social interactions and meaningful relationships can result in people feeling lonely and depressed.
Remote Work: While beneficial in some aspects, remote work can reduce opportunities for social interactions, impacting mental health.

5. Academic Pressure: In this competitive world, students are burdened with assignments, peer pressure and exam stress

Heavy Workload: Excessive assignments and exams can cause stress and anxiety, affecting mental well-being.
Performance Pressure: The pursuit of perfection and academic achievement can result in students feeling overwhelmed and experiencing burnout.

6. Teenagers and Children: The age group of 6 to 16 are reportedly the ones who face the most mental health problems. Also, a lot of teenagers struggle to communicate or share their problems openly.

Online Bullying: Being exposed to cyberbullying and negative interactions online can significantly harm children’s mental health, potentially causing anxiety and lowering their self-esteem.
Time Constraints: Balancing work responsibilities with parenting duties can lead to limited time for quality interactions and bonding with children, impacting their emotional well-being.

7. Health Issues: Apart from the lifestyle and socio-cultural impacts, physical health issues can also lead to mental illness.

Chronic Illness: Managing long-term health conditions can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression.
Disability: Physical limitations and the associated social stigma can affect mental well-being.

8. Environmental Factors: Sometimes, while facing depression or anxiety, doctors often suggest a change in environment. That’s because environmental factors are intertwined with mental well-being.

Living Conditions: Poor living environments, including noise pollution, overcrowding, and unsafe neighbourhoods, can negatively affect mental health.
Access to Nature: Lack of access to green spaces and nature can contribute to stress and anxiety.

9. Trauma and Abuse: Facing immense trauma or shock or going through abuse leaves behind a deep mark on your mind.

Past Trauma: Experiencing abuse, neglect, or traumatic events can leave enduring impacts on mental health.
Current Abuse: Ongoing abusive relationships or environments continue to affect mental well-being.

10. Lifestyle Choices: There is a deep connection between our mental and physical health. So, whatever is put in our body also affects our mental health.

Diet and Exercise: Inadequate nutrition and insufficient physical activity can detrimentally affect mood and energy levels.
Substance Use: Alcohol and drug use can lead to dependency and exacerbate mental health issues.

11. Family and Relationships: Family and relationships are the core of human life and obviously play a vital role in our mental well-being.

Family Dynamics: Dysfunctional family dynamics and inadequate support can lead to one feeling stressed and anxious.
Parental Mental Health: Parents’ mental health issues can affect their children’s well-being.
Homemakers: They may face mental illness due to isolation and a lack of social support, as well as the chronic stress and lack of recognition associated with managing household responsibilities without adequate breaks or acknowledgement, leading to feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety.

12. Access to Mental Health Services: While mental health problems keep on increasing day by day, mental health awareness is still a no-no in society. People aren’t comfortable enough to speak about it. Neither enough people understand it.

Availability: Restricted access to mental health care and resources can hinder individuals from receiving the necessary assistance.
Stigma: Stigma around mental health can discourage people from seeking support.

Types of Mental Illness

There are more than 200 types of mental health problems, including psychosis, paranoia, eating disorders, amnesia, and so on. The most common ones are:

1. Depression: A mood disorder characterised by enduring feelings of sadness, having a person lose interest in previously enjoyable activities, changes in appetite and sleep patterns, and reduced energy levels. This condition can profoundly affect daily functioning and overall quality of life.

2. Anxiety Disorders: Encompassing conditions like generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder, these mental health issues feature overwhelming fear or worry that disrupts daily life and may manifest in physical symptoms like rapid heart rate and sweating.

3. Bipolar Disorder: A mood disorder characterised by extreme mood swings, including emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). These mood changes can affect sleep, energy, activity levels, judgment, and behaviour.

4. Schizophrenia: A serious mental disorder that impacts a person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviour, resulting in symptoms such as hallucinations (perceiving things that aren’t real), delusions (holding false beliefs), and disorganised thinking.

5. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Characterised by unwanted, recurring thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (compulsions) that the person feels driven to perform. These behaviours can interfere significantly with daily life.

6. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event, which can disrupt daily functioning.

The Correlation between Mental Health & Physical Health

While much importance is always given to our physical well-being, we often forget how important it is to care for our mental health. Mental health not only affects your emotional side but also greatly impacts your physical health. Here’s how our mind and our body are interconnected:

Biological Interaction: Mental and physical health are closely connected biologically. Stress can trigger physical responses like increased heart rate, while chronic physical conditions can affect mental health by causing emotional distress.
Behavioural Influence: Mental health affects behaviours that impact physical well-being. Those with depression may engage in unhealthy habits like poor diet and lack of exercise, leading to physical problems like obesity and heart disease.
Immune System Impact: Poor mental health can compromise the immune system, increasing susceptibility to illnesses. Chronic stress, anxiety, and depression impair immune function, delaying recovery from infections.

Quality of Life Enhancement: Good mental health leads to better physical health outcomes and overall quality of life. Those with positive mental well-being are more likely to adopt health-promoting behaviours and maintain strong social connections.
Inflammation and Chronic Disease: Conditions such as depression and anxiety are associated with heightened inflammation, which can lead to someone getting chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Brain-Body Connection: Mental health conditions can disrupt communication between the brain and body, resulting in physical symptoms like headaches and gastrointestinal problems. Maintaining a balance between mental & physical health is essential for overall well-being.

Why is Mental Health Important?

After knowing the major aspects of mental health, let’s now come to the broad question. Why is mental health important? Our mental health significantly influences our overall well-being and quality of life. It is the foundation upon which we navigate the complexities of daily life. In brief:

Good mental health enables effective coping with stress and challenges.
It fosters strong relationships and enhances social connections.
Mental health influences physical health outcomes and immune function.
It is crucial for both personal and professional well-being.
Prioritising mental health leads to increased productivity and satisfaction in life.
It promotes a healthy work-life balance and overall life satisfaction.

Taking Care of Your Mental Health

Since you now know how and to what extent poor mental health could affect us, we should all now make it a mandatory point to take care of our mental health. To take care of your mental health:

Prioritise Self-Care: Allocate time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation, such as hobbies, exercise, or enjoying nature.
Practice Mindfulness: Nurture meaningful relationships with friends and family, as social support is essential for mental well-being.
Stay Connected: Cultivate meaningful connections with your friends and family, as having a strong support system is vital for mental well-being.
Seek Help When Needed: Seek support from a mental health professional without hesitation if you’re grappling with persistent issues or facing severe distress.
Set Boundaries: Set boundaries to safeguard your time and energy, and practice saying no to obligations that feel overwhelming.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Ensure you follow a balanced diet, get regular exercise, prioritise sleep, and limit alcohol and drug use, as doing this can significantly impact mental health.
Practice Gratitude: Foster a mindset of gratitude by consistently recognising the things you appreciate, the things you’re thankful for, which can promote a positive outlook on life. This also proves to be a feel-good factor for your own yourself and the person you are grateful to.
Engage in Relaxation Techniques: Incorporate relaxation techniques like yoga, progressive muscle relaxation, or listening to calming music to reduce stress and promote relaxation.

Mental Awareness and its Importance

Misconceptions and stigma about mental health cause people to endure their struggles alone and avoid seeking help for their conditions. Promoting open dialogue and raising awareness about this issue creates a supportive environment where people feel safe to ask for help without fear of judgment. This is crucial for encouraging early intervention and treatment, ultimately improving outcomes for those experiencing mental health challenges.

Moreover, mental awareness promotes proactive self-care and well-being practices. By raising awareness about the significance of mental health and offering resources for self-care, individuals are empowered to prioritise their mental well-being. This not only enhances their quality of life but also reduces the risk of developing more serious mental health conditions in the future.

Spreading Mental Health Awareness

Share mental health resources and information with friends and family.
Engage in local mental health awareness initiatives and events within your community.
Start conversations about mental health with peers and colleagues to reduce stigma.
Educate yourself about mental health through online resources and books.
Practice self-care and encourage others to prioritise their mental well-being.

Alternatively, if you notice someone facing mental health challenges, consider starting a conversation with them. Educate yourself about the experiences of individuals living with mental health issues and address any feelings of stigma or prejudice you may have. Simply offering support to those around you can help promote awareness and build acceptance.

Conclusion

Mental health holds equal significance to physical well-being. In our fast-paced world, where the pressures of daily life can sometimes overshadow our mental well-being, it’s essential to prioritise self-care and reach out for support when needed. Remember, asking for help is a courageous act, and there are numerous resources and communities available to offer support and compassion.

By nurturing our mental well-being, we not only improve our own lives but also contribute to a kinder and more understanding world, cultivate a culture of compassion and empathy where mental health is valued, and individuals feel empowered to seek the assistance they deserve.

Let’s continue to support each other, break down stigma, and prioritise self-care. Take care of yourselves, and remember, you are worthy of support and kindness. You are never alone on this journey.

In our effort to take care of our mental health, it’s important to remember how much we can help each other. There are people who are battling health issues and are unable to afford their treatment. Due to this, they also suffer from mental stress, besides being physically ill. But by starting a fundraiser on crowdfunding platforms like Ketto, they can raise funds for their treatment. Moreover, people can contribute as much as they want to and support their treatment, aiding in their recovery.

Disclaimer: The health tips provided in this article are not intended as medical recommendations. They are based on research and general knowledge. We are not medical professionals, and the information shared here should not replace professional medical advice. Consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen. The tips mentioned in this article are for informational purposes only.