Your Mental Health Is Important

Have you ever felt anxious, tired, empty, weak or even dejected? Has it gotten worse, maybe to the point where you feel like a loser? We live in a world where when someone gets a physical injury, everyone around them will send them messages of love and quick recovery, but how about the mental health issues that have no direct physical manifestation?

The fact that mental health problems cannot be seen does not mean that they shouldn’t be discussed. There is absolutely no shame in talking about the feelings of depression or anxiety. And this is one of the reasons people going through mental health issues often feel alone with no one to turn to, yet mental health disorders affect one in every four people according to WHO.

• Mental Health Definition
• Symptoms of Mental Illness
• When to Seek Help
• What do I do with the Suicidal Thoughts?
• Reach Out and Help a Loved One
• Resources

---

Mental Health Definition

Also called mental illness, refers to a wide range of mental health conditions or disorders that affect how you feel, think or act. They include depression, anxiety, eating disorders, schizophrenia and other addictive behaviours.

You may experience some of these symptoms from time to time; however, it becomes of concern when they become frequent and end up affecting your ability to function normally. Mental health issues can indeed suck the life out of you and make you miserable and unable to enjoy your daily life at work, in your relationships or at home. Still, there is comfort in knowing that you’re not the only one and that there is a solution, but first, let’s learn a little more about the symptoms.

Symptoms of Mental Illness

The signs and symptoms of mental illness may vary depending on the disorder and the causes. With that said, here are some common symptoms.

• Sadness

• Fear and worry

• Intense guilt

• Extreme highs and lows

• Withdrawal from friends, family or activities

• Lethargic and tiredness

• Inability to sleep well

• Paranoia and hallucinations

• A significant difference in eating habits

• Excess use of alcohol

• Low sex drive

• Edgy and excess anger and hostile behaviour

• And sometimes suicidal thoughts

The ripple effects of some of these symptoms can further cause headaches, backache and stomach pains. Others would have the following results;

• The person may end up getting cardiovascular and other metabolic diseases

• Substance abuse

• May lead to job loss

• School dropout

When to Seek Help

If you have experienced any or more of the symptoms listed above, then the good news is that you have already solved one puzzle; the next move would be to seek help from your primary caregiver or mental health professional.

It would help if you remembered that most of these symptoms wouldn’t go away on their own; the root cause has to be resolved for them to go away.

What do I do with the Suicidal Thoughts?

It’s pretty common to get suicidal thoughts, especially with some types of mental illnesses. So please seek help right away from a mental health specialist or your local emergency number, or visit your nearest hospital, and you will get help.

You can also reach out to your trusted loved ones, such as close and trusted friends or family. You may also reach out to your spiritual leader, such as a minister.

Reach Out and Help a Loved One

If you notice some of these mental illness symptoms on a loved one, lovingly reach out and talk about it openly and in a supportive manner. You may either encourage them to seek professional help, if not, try as much as possible to be their source of encouragement and support. Most of these mental health issues need a love and care approach to get through.

And in case they show signs of self-harm or suicidal talk, seek immediate help from a hospital or call your local emergency helpline.

You are not alone in this!

Comment below on anything you may want to share about mental health issues.

Resources

WHO - Highlights global challenges in mental health care, like stigma and lack of access, and calls for better investment and integrated care.

Mental Health Foundation - Explains mental health, its impact, and the need for early intervention and stigma reduction.

Medical News Today - Defines mental health, its factors, and common signs of disorders, stressing early support.