Watch Out For Mental Health Essay Example

Introduction

Mental health is an issue almost everybody will have to deal with, whether its their own mental health or someone they know, it is important to be informed. Knowing about your own mental wellbeing, knowing how to help yourself and those around you, and understanding what mental health is are a few ways to help with the issue overall. Monitoring and being able to identify how mentally healthy you are is a key part to living a healthy life.

What Does It Mean to be Mentally Healthy?

Being mentally healthy entails not only the absence of mental illness, but also the presence of positive traits such as contempt, a sense of meaning or purpose, and the ability to laugh and enjoy life. Having good mental health doesn’t mean you’ll never be depressed or have a bad day; it means you’ll be able to persevere and get through it. It is said that, “The absence of mental illness does not equal mental health. Just as the lack of physical illness does not equal physical wellness.” (Miller)  Just because you are without a diagnosed mental illness, you aren’t necessarily completely mentally healthy. Not doing anything to help yourself can lead to a declining mental health so it’s important to still take care of yourself even if nothing is wrong. Knowing your current mental state is instrumental in the process of helping yourself be better.

Where Can Mental Disorders Come From?

One important thing to know is that mental health issues aren’t purely coincidental. BPD (Bipolar Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) are inherited disorders that run in families, Other mental health disorders such as PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and depression can be acquired as a result of one's circumstances. Conditions such as a person's social life, home life, family relationships, financial issues, and their education could all play a role in their mental health. From the article ‘What Is Mental Health?’, it is stated that “Conditions such as stress, depression, and anxiety can all affect mental health and disrupt a person's routine.” As well as, “Factors in people's lives, interpersonal connections, and physical factors can all contribute to mental health disruptions.” (Felman) Mental illnesses don’t randomly appear out of the blue. They are either genetic, or develop over a period of time if not taken care of. If a certain type of mental health disorder runs in your family, you already have a head start since other members of your family will be familiar with it and know how to deal with it in a healthy way. Knowing where certain problems come from help to prepare for them.

How To Spread Awareness

The solution to assisting those suffering from mental illnesses is to raise awareness. Knowing as much as you can about the various forms of mental health conditions and how to deal with them will benefit you or anyone close to you that need help. It is also important that parents do everything possible to ensure that their children are as emotionally healthy as possible. Anxiety and depression are two of the most common disorders among adolescents, and teaching children about the disorders before they reach the age where they are vulnerable to them could dramatically reduce the rates. Psych Central states that “Promoting mental health encompasses various strategies, all with the aim of making a positive impact on mental health. These include programs and strategies to create living conditions and an environment supportive of mental health that allow people to both adopt and maintain healthier lifestyles.” (Kane) Awareness isn’t just knowing that mental health exists, it's knowing about it and knowing how to help those who are suffering from it. Knowing that a house is on fire and knowing how to help put out the fire are two completely different things, and it's the same with mental health awareness. You need to know how to stop a problem in order to make the problem go away, so doing your own research to help those close to you who you know are struggling will make a difference.

How to Improve Your Mental Health

Improving your own personal mental health doesn’t have to be a big deal or grueling effort. Every day, go for a walk, and restrict your internet activity. Avoid toxic people and take care of yourself by getting the recommended eight hours of sleep and consuming a well-balanced diet that includes proteins, vegetables, fruits, and dairy. Simple things like this that don’t take too much money or time away from you. This is backed up by the article Droedeman that states, “Small things like exercising, eating a balanced and healthy meal, opening up to other people in your life, taking a break when you need to, remembering something you’re grateful for and getting a good night's sleep can be helpful in boosting your emotional health.” (Xiong) A good amount of stress is caused by not doing the activities that have been listed. Not getting enough sleep and not eating properly cause unnecessary harm that can be quite easily avoided by doing things like meal planning and planning your day and sleep schedule. There are more professional ways of improving your health like talking to a therapist, which is strongly encouraged as well. The fight against mental illness isn’t a fight one person can do alone.

Types of Mental Health Disorders

There are several classifications of mental disorders, but anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia disorders are the three most common types of mental disorders. All three of these categories are somewhat related to stress, only increasing how important it is to take a break and take care of yourself. Again, “According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental illness.” (Felman) States Medical News Today. These disorders can turn very dangerous when not dealt with, so again, awareness is key to solving the problem. Stress management is a big factor in helping with anxiety and mood disorders, and schizophrenia disorders can be assisted by prescribed medication from a professional. But certain types of mental illnesses cannot be cured, and that’s not always a bad thing as long as help is being provided.