People with good mental health have the resilience to cope with life’s ups and downs. They also have the ability to maintain healthy relationships and feel confident and positive about themselves.
Drastic changes in a person’s mood or behaviour can be a sign of a mental illness. These symptoms may occur suddenly or develop over time. Contact Mental Health Podcasts now!
There is not a single cause of mental health problems. They often develop because of a combination of things, like your genes and how your brain works, and your environment and life experiences. These are called risk factors. If someone has more risk factors, they are more likely to develop a mental illness. They might also be at more risk of a mental illness when they have a stressful event or trigger, such as the death of a loved one or being in a car accident.
There are many things that can help to protect your mental health, and these are called protective factors. Some of these are your family, your friends and your work and home environments. Other protective factors include having a regular doctor or nurse consultation, practicing good sleep and nutrition, exercising regularly, and having a strong social network. Other ways to protect your mental health and wellbeing are not smoking, avoiding excessive alcohol use, staying in school, and getting treatment for any mental illnesses.
Stigma, discrimination and a lack of understanding about mental illnesses contribute to the fact that people do not get the help they need. People are reluctant to seek treatment because of the stigma attached to mental health problems and their belief that they will not get better. Untreated mental health conditions have a huge impact on a person’s quality of life and can lead to serious complications such as problems at work or school, loss of job or housing, substance misuse and even suicide.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for most mental health problems. These may involve talk therapy or medicine, such as antidepressants, mood stabilisers or antipsychotics. Some mental health conditions can be prevented, although it is not always easy to know when a problem has become serious enough to require professional care. Taking steps to improve mental health and well-being, such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercise, sleep, not smoking, having supportive relationships, and accessing treatment when needed, is important for everyone. Especially as mental health is linked to overall physical well-being.
Symptoms
It can be difficult to know what changes in feelings, behavior or thinking are normal and what is the result of a mental health problem. It is important to be aware of the early warning signs of mental illness and seek help when necessary. Some symptoms may include a change in mood, sudden changes in sleep or appetite, dramatic shifts in emotion from depressed to euphoric, increased irritability, social withdrawal or a drop in functioning in work, school or personal life.
It is not unusual for people to experience one or two of these symptoms in response to major life events, such as the death of a loved one or a relationship breakup. It is also not uncommon for these signs to be misinterpreted and for a person to conclude that they are “just getting sick.” However, if several of the above symptoms appear together or become progressively worse, it’s important to see a mental health professional.
Some of the more serious mental illnesses that can occur include depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Mood disorders can lead to persistently sad or low feelings that interfere with daily life, while bipolar disorder causes mood swings that range from extreme depression to euphoria and sometimes inappropriate and dangerous behaviors. Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that affects perception and leads to hallucinations, paranoia and disordered thoughts and beliefs. This is an extremely serious mental health issue that can be life threatening.
If someone you know exhibits any of these symptoms, it is important to consult with a psychiatrist or licensed therapist. Be sure to discuss all of the symptoms and provide a full medical history, especially any recent stressful events. It can take a few visits to zero in on the correct diagnosis. Treatment is often a combination of talk therapy and medications.
Historically, there have been stigmas around seeking mental health care and it is still difficult for some individuals to admit that they need help. However, seeking care and support is now more accepted than ever. If you or a friend are in a mental health crisis, please call triple zero (000) for an ambulance or Lifeline on 13 11 14. This includes suicidal thoughts or behaviors, drug abuse or dangerous driving.
Treatment
Mental health is the foundation for emotions, thinking and communication, learning and resilience. It is key to relationships, self-esteem and contributing to family, work and community activities. It can also influence and be influenced by physical health. People with mental illness have many treatment options. These include medication, psychotherapy and community services. Medication helps to control symptoms and may include antidepressants, antipsychotics and mood-stabilizing medications. Psychotherapy can help to reduce symptoms and change negative thoughts and behaviors. It can be done in a group setting with others with the same condition, or one-on-one with a healthcare professional. Different types of psychotherapy include gestalt therapy, psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Serious mental illnesses, or disorders, are defined as conditions that cause a significant disruption in day-to-day activities and interfere with your ability to function. They include depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Other examples include panic disorders and phobias. A diagnosis requires a medical exam, blood or laboratory tests and a mental health evaluation. The healthcare provider will use the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR) to make a diagnosis.
It takes time to receive a diagnosis and treatment for a mental health disorder. During that time, you may need to try different treatments before finding something that works for you. You may also need to visit your doctor regularly. Your doctor will want to know how your symptoms are affecting your life and what treatments you have tried.
Most people with a mental health problem get better with treatment. It is important to remember that mental illness is not caused by a lack of character or bad upbringing. It is a medical condition that can be treated, just like any other disease. You must take an active role in your treatment and be willing to stick with it. Other lifestyle changes can also improve mental health, such as eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of sleep and exercise. Maintaining good social and professional relationships, avoiding alcohol and drugs and participating in meaningful paid or volunteer activities can also help.
Prevention
As the saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure.” Mental health problems can be prevented by increasing protective factors and decreasing risk factors. These factors may include family and community connections, social support networks, education, parenting classes, and drug abuse prevention programs. Medications such as psychotherapy (talk therapy) and certain prescription medications can also help. These drugs can relieve symptoms and help people function better, but they also have side effects. Some people do not want to take their medication because of the unpleasant side effects.
There are many things we can do to promote and protect mental health, from the choices we make in our daily lives to the policies we support at the local, state and national levels. Many people have mental health needs that go unmet, and too often these needs are not addressed until a serious problem occurs. This is why it is important for all of us to become advocates for the prevention and treatment of mental illness and to speak out on behalf of those with mental health concerns.
Adolescence is a critical time to focus on prevention, as youth who do not have good mental health are at increased risk for substance use, violence and poor health behaviors such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy. Prevention strategies that help youth feel connected to school and family can increase their mental health and reduce their involvement in negative activities.
It is important to note that most mental disorders start by age 14, and that these conditions account for 45% of all disability-adjusted life-years in the 0-25 year old population. Selective preventive interventions aimed at altering the pathway to full-threshold disorders may be able to improve mental health outcomes and decrease the amount of time spent in psychiatric care.
The County Mental Health Profiles, released by the New York State Office of Mental Health, lists key county community characteristics, mental health services and expenditures, and provides comparative statewide statistics. Each profile has a notes button which describes the data sources and most pages have links to other reports that provide more information.