Learn All About World Mental Health Day

October 10^th is World Mental Health Day, which attempts to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health. The day presents the chance for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to discuss their work and what needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

This year’s theme is young people and mental health in a changing world. Adolescence is constantly facing changes in their lives, which promote stress. Some of this stress can lead to mental health issues, which can be hard to bear at such a young age. For one thing, it is hard to properly diagnosis young people with mental illness. The level of maturity is fragile and makes it difficult to determine the acute problem. With that being said, half of all mental illness begins at the age of 14, though most of these cases go undetected and untreated. There is a lot of stigma surrounding mental health, which could prevent parents from considering mental health as an opinion. Plus, considering it is a time to change, people may think that you will grow out of it, and change again.

 

There are many different types of mental illness and different degrees of it as well. Depression is the leading cause while suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds. Eating disorders are also a big concern as they can be fatal if untreated.

What Can We Do to Help?

The first step is being open and honest with yourself. Don’t be afraid to share what is going on with you, whether it’s depression, anxiety, ADD, Bipolar or anything that falls under the umbrella of mental health. Talking about your feelings will be the first step towards getting the proper help. You should see a psychiatrist and get properly assessed, get to the bottom of it. Once you have a clear diagnosis you can tell your teachers who will do what they can to accommodate your needs. Mental health can really affect learning and be a huge blocker for education or social activity. When we’re depressed we lack the ability to pay attention, we feel withdrawn from school sports and activities, and we struggle to get up and get out of bed at all. If you are missing school because you don’t feel well mentally, it’s better to let someone know. Don’t be embarrassed, this is something teachers are educated on, and you can be a part of their learning process by voicing your concerns and outlining your needs. You are creating your own awareness by doing this, and can even set the example that people with mental health can live a prosperous life.

What Should I know About Mental Health?

You should know that it is a real thing, which affects ¼-1/5 individual's every day. While some mental illnesses are not curable, they can be managed through, therapy, physical activity and medication. A lot of things are helpful for mental health issues, even things like yoga and meditation work as great agents. Not all people who suffer from mental health are on medication, and it is a myth that everyone who suffers should be. In some cases, there isn’t a proper drug, which can cure the disease. While some people spend years finding the perfect cocktail of medication. When you are young, it is more difficult as these drugs are strong and may not be suitable for certain age groups. There are many, various forms of therapy that work for different illnesses. Some mental health is situational while other forms are life-long. It is important to embrace that people have these differences and to treat them like everyone else.

What are the Long Term Goals?

The long term goal is to create a society, which is educated about mental health and at an early age. New York just became the first state to launch mandatory mental health classes in all New York schools from the age of three. The sooner we know about mental health the more aware we are, and the better we are to stand in and help. You may never understand mental illness unless you go through it, but this way you can be empathic towards it and know that it is a real thing that people go through. As you watch someone suffering enter the recovery phase, you will see that people with mental illness are just like anyone who is stuck facing anything challenging. They just need to find the right treatment and the right supports to feel better. While there is often no cure, mental illness can be managed as those who suffer from it fight for balance in their lives. They don’t need to be called named or feel bad for what they experience. They should be allowed to have “mental health days”, which are the same as sick days. It should be treated with the same care and concern that we give physical illness. Going forward, more and more people are calling mental health “brain health” as the word “mental” still has a negative connotation to it. We need to change not only how we feel about mental illness, but also how we talk about it. It should not be perceived as a red flag. Truthfully, we all need to take care of our mental health, whether we are mentally ill or not. Everyone experiences symptoms throughout their life, but it comes in different degrees for different people. Regardless, we need to unite on this issue and do what we can to support the cause. If you, a friend or a family member are battling with your mental health then you need to get some help. Talk to someone, it will help. 

Helplines & Resources: 

• TeenMentalHealth.org
• KidsHealth - A safe, private place for kids & teens who need honest, accurate information and advice about health, emotions, and life.
• Teen Line - A helpline for kids and teens to work through their personal issues and mental health as needed.  1-800-TLC-TEEN or 1-800-852-8336 (Toll-Free US & Canada).
• Mind Infoline – Information on self-harm and a helpline to call in the UK at 0300 123 3393 or text 86463.
• Kids Help Phone – Free, anonymous and bilingual helpline for young people in Canada, available 24/7 by phone, Live Chat, and the Always There chat app for any issue, including self-injury and suicide. Call 1-800-668-6868 or visit kidshelpphone.ca.
• Kids Helpline – A helpline for kids and young adults in Australia to get help with issues including cutting and self-harm. Call 1800 55 1800. (Kids Helpline).

Give Us Your Opinion

What would you do to improve mental health? Do you see this as an important cause? Comment below.