Mental health Awareness – How Important it’s to Community
Mental health Awareness – How Important it’s to Community
Mental health affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.
Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
That’s why it is important to take care of our mental health. In this article we are going to cover important topic about mental health – the awareness and how valuable it’s to community. We are going to discuss about what is mental health in general, also to bring some positive and valuable things mental health comprised.
Understanding the Meaning of Mental Health
World Health Organization explain Mental health as a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It has intrinsic and instrumental value and is integral to our well-being.
Community is very important in the development of people, when community established good state of mental health it grows.
Impact of mental health to the life of the people
A healthy mental state creates a sense of self-confidence and high self-esteem. It improves meaning in individual activities and interpersonal relationships.
Society may impact the productivity of local businesses and health care costs, impede the ability of children and youth to succeed in school, and lead to family and community disruption. Impacts: Mental illness creates enormous social and economic costs.
How can mental health impact day-to-day living
We need good mental health to perform best in our daily activities, poor mental health can impact on people’s daily life, relationships, social life, employment and finances, making life more challenging and stressful.
These impacts may lead to wider issues such as substance misuse, isolation, poor physical health and homelessness.
Unaddressed mental health problems can have a negative influence on homelessness, poverty, employment, safety, and the local economy. They may impact the productivity of local businesses and health care costs, impede the ability of children and youth to succeed in school, and lead to family and community disruption.
Negative influence of mental health problems
- Homelessness.
- Poverty.
- UnEmployment.
- Lack of Safety.
- Disruption of Local economy.
We all now know what is mental health and it is negative effects to the individual and community.
Do we know how valuable mental health is to our health, now we will look into different valuable aspects of mental health.
Why is it important to take care of your mental health?
It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Understanding the four main types of mental health
Here we are going to discuss about the main type of mental and see what tell us about our health, let’s get started:
- Mood disorders (such as depression or bipolar disorder)
- Anxiety disorders.
- Personality disorders.
- Psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia)
The above mentioned categories are main categories that all mental health are classified. We are going to briefly go through them one after the other to see what they will tell us about our health, the are:
Mood disorders (such as depression or bipolar disorder)
If you have depression, you may constantly feel sad. You also may be anxious. If you have bipolar disorder, you’ll likely have extreme mood swings. Your feelings may range from being very sad, empty or cranky to being very happy — going back and forth between each mood.
People need to improve their health and day to day activities to maintain healthy state. To take care for your mood disorders depends on the specific condition and symptoms.
Usually, treatment involves a combination of medication and psychotherapy (also called talk therapy). There are also other types of treatment, such as brain stimulation therapy.
But the best effort is to prevent it from happening, and at the end of this section we are going to discuss general steps to improve our overall health conditions and prevent negative issues from interfering.
Anxiety disorders
Generalized anxiety disorder involves persistent and excessive worry that interferes with daily activities.
This ongoing worry and tension may be accompanied by physical symptoms, such as restlessness, feeling on edge or easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension or problems sleeping.
Mostly, people having difficult experiences in childhood, adolescence or adulthood are liable to develop anxiety disorder, and difficult experiences are common trigger for anxiety problems.
More focused, is going through stress and trauma when you’re very young is likely to have a particularly big impact. Experiences which can trigger anxiety problems include things like:
- Physical or
- Emotional abuse.
Personality disorders.
A personality disorder is a mental health condition where people have a lifelong pattern of seeing themselves and reacting to others in ways that cause problems. People with personality disorders often have a hard time understanding emotions and tolerating distress.
It is important people understand the four most common personality disorders, below are the four personality disorders:
- Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD)
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Histrionic personality disorder.
- Narcissistic personality disorder.
Psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia)
The most common psychotic disorder is schizophrenia.
This illness causes behavior changes, delusions and hallucinations that last longer than six months and affect social interaction, school and work.
Additional types of psychotic disorders include: Schizoaffective disorder.
Now we have talked about the mental health and the basic understanding of it.
Let’s move to the general preventive measures to mental health provider.
Prevention
- Pay attention to warning signs. Work with your doctor or therapist to learn what might trigger your symptoms.
- Get routine medical care. Don’t neglect checkups or skip visits to your primary care provider, especially if you aren’t feeling well.
- Get help when you need it.
- Take good care of yourself.
5 Best ways to improve mental health
Tips for improving your mental wellbeing
- Try to relax and reduce stress.
- Find ways to learn and be creative.
- Spend time in nature.
- Connect with others.
- Look after your physical health.
- Try to improve your sleep.
Seeking for someone help is a sign of strength not weakness, don’t forget to ask for help.
Do you know what is Mental health awareness and how it can assist you wellness? Now we are going to talk about mental health awareness.
Understanding Mental awareness
Mental Health Awareness – helps people recognize the ways mental illness impacts their lives, educates people about available services, and highlights ways to advocate—even if they don’t have a mental illness.
Recognition and education are important ways to remove the stigma associated with mental illness.
Mental health Awareness activities
- Host a stress reduction seminar
- Mental health workshops
- Breathing Exercises
- Group meditatio
Mental health Advocacy
Mental health advocacy is what addresses the vital need to promote the rights of individuals with mental illness. It focuses on increasing access to mental health services and combating stigma and discrimination.
What is an example of advocacy about mental health awareness?
Advocating for mental health: This can include sharing personal stories and experiences, supporting mental health organizations and initiatives, and advocating for policy changes that improve access to mental health services.
How to Become a Mental Health Advocate
In brief let us explain how to become a mental health advocate, this consist a very simple steps:
- Educate Yourself about Mental Health.
- Break the Stigma.
- See a Counselor.
- Volunteer and Get Involved.
- Speak Up About Mental Health.
- Advocate for Policy Changes.
- Support and Empower Others.
Lead by Example. - Vote to Improve Mental Health Treatment
- Join A Mental Health Organization or Advocacy Group
- Continuously Learn and Grow.
How to perform community awareness
We discussed about 5 most valuable steps to perform community awareness below are 5 Steps to Increase Community Awareness
- Gauge community awareness
- Design your awareness campaign based on responses.
- Create an ambassador program.
- Find ways to become engrained in your community.
- Show your community how much you love them.
Community awareness is a multifaceted concept that lies at the heart of building stronger neighborhoods.
It transcends mere knowledge and extends into a deeper understanding of the dynamics that shape our local communities.
Talking openly about mental health can reduce the misconceptions and stigma, and can encourage those who are suffering to seek help and find a support network.
It’s important for caregivers, friends, and loved ones to understand the impact that mental health has on daily life.
Breaking the Stigma
Breaking stigma is an essential .For far too long, mental illnesses have been stigmatized, leading to discrimination, isolation, and a reluctance to seek help.
By raising awareness, we can challenge misconceptions and foster an environment of understanding, compassion, and support for those experiencing mental health challenges.
Mental health professionals Team
If you think you, or someone you know, has a mental health condition, see your GP. We are going to see who is in serving community with mental health issues.
Different mental health professionals include psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health nurses, social workers, peer workers, occupational therapists and mental health recovery and rehabilitation workers.
Role of Psychologist in mental health
Psychologists offer a wide range of assessments and treatment options to those struggling with mental health issues.
Yes, we’re there to improve an individuals` quality of life in times of crisis, but we are also there to prevent relapse and maintaining care.
Role of Psychiatrist in mental health
A psychiatrist can provide an accurate diagnosis and suggest treatment plans. They’re experts in their field and have up-to-date knowledge on research, medications and other treatment therapies that can help you. Your psychiatrist will work with you to determine a treatment plan that’s best for you.
Role of Mental health nurse in mental health
A mental health nurse offers support to a wide range of patients with various mental health conditions, aiding them towards recovery and helping them gain control over their illness to live more independently.
Role of Social workers in mental health
The benefits of social connections and good mental health are numerous. Proven links include lower rates of anxiety and depression, higher self-esteem, greater empathy, and more trusting and cooperative relationships. Social workers perform crucial role in helping people with mental health issues.
- Advocacy
- Assessing client needs
- Assist highly vulnerable individuals
- Build relationships with people
- Diagnosing mental health conditions
- Improve community services
- Promoting mental health awareness
- Conducting behavioral risk assessments
- Connecting people with resources
- Health information and advice
- Helping clients adjust to change
- Keeping detailed records
- Referrals to health and community services
- Researching social services
Role of Peer workers in mental health
Peer support is the “process of giving and receiving encouragement and assistance to achieve long-term recovery.” Peer supporters “offer emotional support, share knowledge, teach skills, provide practical assistance, and connect people with resources, opportunities, communities of support, and other people”
Role of Occupational therapist in mental health
Patients may have challenges in the areas of planning tasks, organizing, problem solving and decision making.
They may also have difficulties with controlling emotions, which can make it difficult to function and be independent in society.
Occupational therapy can help improve on or compensate for these challenges.
Role mental health recovery and rehabilitation workers.
Mental health support workers work closely alongside individuals living with mental condition in order to help them cope more easily with day-to-day life as well as providing them with vital support in order to help them achieve their goals.
A Mental Health Worker’s primary role is to support and help people living with mental illness, substance use disorders, and other social problems. There are many different roles available for people working in the mental health sector. Some of these roles are: Community Rehabilitation Worker.
Conclusion
Mental health assessment is made by the assessment facility and ensures that there are 2 criteria in the conclusion, which is to determine whether the subject has a mental illness based on international classification standards and assessment.
A healthy mental state is essential for all learners to thrive in school and in their daily lives. Positive mental well-being lies on a continuum along which individuals shift in relation to life stressors and biological and psychological factors. In the end check these Tips for improving your mental wellbeing:
- Try to relax and reduce stress.
- Find ways to learn and be creative.
- Spend time in nature.
- Connect with others.
- Look after your physical health.
- Try to improve your sleep.
References
Tulane university School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
