Mental Health: Why Do We Neglect It So?

Mental health is a combination of our emotional, psychological, and social well being. It has a deep connection to how we think an act. It determines how we handle stress, handle situations and interpersonal relations. Mental health is important and integral part of our lives right from our childhood and throughout our life.

According to WHO, Mental health is ... “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community." According to experts we all have the potential to develop mental health problems irrespective of our age, gender, social status or ethnicity. The most common types of mental illness are anxiety disorders, depression, mood disorders and Schizophrenia. One in four people experience mental health issue in their lifetime and yet it is one of the most neglected medical conditions. One of the reasons could be the social stigma attached to mental illness. People in India still fear talking about mental illness. It is not necessary that mental illness can only be cure by medication. Lifestyle, societal pressure and other life situations also affect people’s mental state and the ability to function or process thoughts and actions normally. Many a times a simple Psychotherapy (talking therapies) can ease a person from his/her mental condition. Change in lifestyle like reduced alcohol intake, proper sleep, eating proper diet and outdoor activity also can help persons get relief from mental illness like depression.

By: Madhuchanda Saxena

Content: https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/05/1008822