There is no health without mental health. Any disbalance in mental well-being can directly affect physical, emotional, and social well-being. WHO constitution states, “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” [1] Therefore, to achieve overall well-being, mental health can’t be ignored.
Meaning of Mild Mental Health Problems
When a person has little symptoms that have a limited effect on their daily life then it is considered a mild mental health problem. [2] Mild mental health issues may include anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, feeding and eating disorders, sleep-wake disorders, hypertension, panic disorder, etc. An important point to note is that anxiety is the most common mental illness in the world, affecting more than 284 million people. [3]
Breaking the Taboo
Unfortunately, in a world with more than 792 million people suffering from mental health disorders [3], mental health is still considered a taboo. Due to this major reason, most people with mental health issues don’t seek treatment. But it is important to realize that it’s okay to not be okay. People need to accept their condition and take care of their mental health. If people will not take charge of it, it will take charge of their life.
Personal Mental Health Care Solutions
Just like we take care of our body by feeding, cleaning, and clothing it, we also need to take care of our mental well-being. These are some proven ways to improve mental well-being:
- Yoga- As per a research paper named Yoga and Mental Health, “The practice of yoga shows promise for promoting better population mental health. It is acceptable, cost-effective and encourages self-reliance… most people with or without mental health imbalances may feel more mental ease and relaxation through the practice of yoga.” [4]
- Exercise- In June 2021, the John W. Brick Foundation released their Move Your Mental Health report, which provided a review of over 1,000 studies conducted over the last thirty years. The study showed that out of 1,158 studies examined, 89% found a statistically significant, positive association between physical activity or exercise and mental health. This review found remarkable and favorable links between several types of physical activity and depression, general anxiety, mood, general mental health, quality of life, stress, and well-being. [5]
- Meditation– As per Psychology Today’s analysis and studies of some prominent papers “Meditation can help individuals cope with some symptoms associated with mental disorders like depression and anxiety, reduce some of the psychological difficulties associated with chronic pain, and even improve some cognitive and behavioral functions.” [6] Deep breathing exercises and meditation calms the mind and improves mental health.
- Nutrition- Harvard Medical School has concluded that diet directly affects our mood, mental health, and functioning of the brain. [7] Therefore, there is a necessity to keep a track of what you are eating in order to take care of your mental health.
- Some other useful ways to boost mental health are: valuing yourself, surrounding yourself with positive people, giving time to yourself, reading good books, setting realistic goals, avoiding alcohol and other drugs, finding a purpose, pursuing your hobbies, sharing your feelings, etc. [8]
Professional Mental Health Care Services
Just like we need to see a doctor for cold or fever, similarly we need professional care for our mental health related problems. Some effective professional care treatments include:
- Psychotherapy– It is also called talk therapy. It involves talking about your condition and related issues with a professional mental health counselor/therapist. During this, you get to learn about your condition, moods, feelings, thoughts, and behavior which generally go unnoticed and uncared. Then, a suitable solution is provided to deal with the problem. Some types of psychotherapies are: individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, interpersonal therapy, etc. [9] We at Krsh Welfare Foundation, also provide mental well-being services that include counseling, medications, support groups, education programs and other strategies, which are scientifically backed and personalized to suit your needs.
- Medications- They can play a significant role in treating several mental disorders and conditions. Some medications used for mental health treatment include: antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics. [10] It is strongly recommended to take them after consulting with a professional.
- Psychoeducation: It has its own special position in the journey of recovery. Psychoeducation is the process of providing information and education related to mental health issues by a professional. It helps to engage in behavior change, enhance family copy and to bring down disease burden, and aware about the possible ways to heal yourself. [11]
Concluding Remarks
Mental health is an integral, inseparable part of our health. Without maintaining proper mental well-being, no one can achieve great success. Meditation, exercise, yoga, and proper nutrition help to boost mental well-being. Professional services like psychotherapy, medications, and psychoeducation can prove very useful to heal mental health problems.
Reference
[1] https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution#:~:text=Health%20is%20a%20state%20of,belief%2C%20economic%20or%20social%20condition
[2] https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg123/ifp/chapter/common-mental-health-problems
[3] https://ourworldindata.org/mental-health
[4] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316946652_Yoga_and_Mental_Health_A_Review
[5] https://www.ihrsa.org/improve-your-club/new-report-exercise-plays-key-role-in-mental-health-well-being/#
[6] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/balanced/201907/meditation-and-mental-health
[7] https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/nutritional-psychiatry-your-brain-on-food-201511168626
[8] https://uhs.umich.edu/tenthings
[9] https://www.psychguides.com/mental-health-disorders/treatment/types/. https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Treatments
[10] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/mental-health-medications
[11] https://www.ijpn.in/article.asp?issn=2231-1505;year=2014;volume=8;issue=1;spage=46;epage=52;aulast=Shindhe#ref2 Categorie