Siasa Place Kenya

The importance of the state of your well being – By Peter Mutuku.

Introduction

Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. Mental, physical, and social health are vital and inter-woven strands of life. As our understanding of this relationship grows, it becomes ever more apparent that mental health is crucial to the overall well-being of individuals, societies, and countries. Unfortunately, in most parts of the world, mental health and mental disorders are not accorded anywhere near the same degree of importance as physical health. Rather, they have been largely ignored or neglected.

According to WHO as many as 450 million people suffer from a mental or behavioral disorder. In 2019, common mental disorders around the globe include depression, which affects about 264 million, bipolar disorder, which affects about 45 million, dementia, which affects about 50 million, and schizophrenia and other psychoses, which affect about 20 million people. Neurodevelopmental disorders include intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders which usually arise in infancy or childhood. Stigma and discrimination can add to the suffering and disability associated with mental disorders, leading to various social movements attempting to increase understanding and challenge social exclusion.

 

Causes of mental health disorders

In the current generation, we have a lot of mental health cases and it is with both adults and young people. Different things are leading to mental health issues nowadays. Some things include the high standard of living. Most people around the globe are struggling to put a meal on the table and this is affecting their mental health. When one does not have mental health, it will affect the person’s contribution to society. This includes both what that person can offer physically and socially.

 

The issue of unemployment, someone loses a job or he/she has gone through the education system and still he/she has no job. This person can be depressed. Major depressive disorder (MDD), also known simply as depression, is a mental disorder characterized by at least two weeks of pervasive low mood. Low self-esteem, loss of interest in normally enjoyable activities, low energy, and pain without a clear cause are common symptoms. Those affected may also occasionally have delusions or hallucinations. Some people have periods of depression separated by years, while others nearly always have symptoms present. Major depression is more severe and lasts longer than sadness, which is a normal part of life.

 

There is the issue of relationships. Many people in relationships have a possibility of having mental health issues for example if that person has undergone a breakup or divorce. You find a person crying all day and not working deeply depressed because of a breakup or divorce case. This will affect the person’s contribution to society.

 

The effects of mental health issues include the following;

Economic effects

The productivity will reduce for persons affected by mental health issues like depression cannot work properly and offer their best hence affecting the productivity level.

According to WHO, nearly 1 million people commit suicide every year, how much can these people offer to society terms economically if mental health care is dealt with?

Social effects

According to WHO, one in four families has at least one member with a mental disorder. These families usually have a lot to deal with, with some members being discriminated against and stigmatized by others. These people will not interact with others normally and thus already have affected social lives. These people are victims of human rights and it will also affect their level of productivity and what they can offer in terms of social life.

Ways to deal with mental health

  • Nowadays we have counselors and Psychiatrists who can help victims on how to be mentally healthy.
  • Talk about your feelings. Talking about your feelings can help you stay in good mental health and deal with times when you feel troubled. Sharing what you are feeling with your friends will help a lot with dealing with mental health.
  • Keep active. Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and can help you concentrate, sleep, and feel better. Exercise keeps the brain and your other vital organs healthy and is also a significant benefit towards improving your mental health.
  • Eat well. Your brain needs a mix of nutrients in order to stay healthy and function well, just like the other organs in your body. A diet that’s good for your physical health is also good for your mental health.
  • Ask for help. It is good to always ask for help where one needs help to avoid overloading your mind with something which you cannot control.