It has been estimated that one in four people worldwide have some kind of mental health problem. This trend is expected to rise in upcoming years, may be because of the extremely stressful environment we are living in, imbalanced diet, physical health issues and sedentary lifestyle. Indeed, it is also because of the stigma associated with the mental health that refrains people from getting assistance. Some of the frequently reported mental health illnesses include; depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, dementia and eating disorders. Anyone, regardless of the age, gender, race, educational background, financial status can be the victim of these issues however, there is a common misconception that depression is women’s disease. Some people or age group are more prone to emotional instabilities than the others based on their life consequences, health issues, hormonal changes (Puberty and Pregnancy) and relationship problems. Psychological disasters, if not managed, can cause devastating effects that would be far dangerous than physical illnesses. Therefore, they have to be managed using different therapies or medications prescribed by consultants. Besides this, people should prioritize their mental well-being and should work for a healthy mind. for instance, surrounding yourself with a positive company, reading good books, following mindfulness, taking health diet and regular exercise. In a book called ‘The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne, a positive thought comes from practicing gratitude, so try to see positive things in bad times as well. In Singapore, a course called mindfulness has been added as a part of secular curriculum that teaches mindfulness techniques to students to help them relieve stress and to improve positive mentality. Nowadays social media addiction or increased screen dependence greatly affects our mental health especially in children. Too much screen addition is causing loneliness in people, so try to engage more with your family and children and encourage them also, this automatically limits screen time and promotes a loving environment within the family. Virtual connectivity is not a solution to this problem; we all need to collaborate to develop practical solutions to deal with these triggering factors.
In conclusion, mental health is most important aspect of healthcare and we must spend some time for our mental well-being. Furthermore, it should not be neglected and we should seek help if we find ourselves entangled by mental instability.
The author Naureen Rehman is passionate about public health and has served at various organizations like AKU, Naya Jeevan & Aahung.