Mental illness is a major health problem in today’s fast-paced and competitive world. Mental Health Day is a day where people who work in the mental health industry get together to celebrate and support each other.
Introduction: Mental Health Day, What is it?
The beginning of October this year is abuzz with a flurry of activity revolving around mental health. Mental Illness Awareness Week takes place from October 3-9, 2021. National Depression Screening Day is October 7 and World Mental Health Day is October 10. The purpose of Mental Health Day is to break the stigma that is attached to mental illness and to promote awareness about mental health issues that we face on a daily basis.
The World Health Organisation’s theme for World Mental Health Day 2021 is “Mental health care for all: let's make it a reality”
It is important for people who work in this industry to remember that they need time to take care of themselves. Mental health professionals are prone to suffer from stress, anxiety, depression, or burnout because they are constantly working on these issues with their clients at a very personal level. While there are many ways you can take care of yourself on Mental Health Day, one way is by creating awareness about mental health.
While mental health day is especially important for mental healthcare professionals, it is important to reflect on the expanse of the population affected by mental health issues and make a conscious effort to create awareness about its subtle signs and how we can detect and manage them early on.
What is a Mental Illness and How does it affect your life?
Mental illnesses or mental disorders are a collective term referring to more than 200 diagnosable conditions that disrupt a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 450 million people globally suffer from mental disorders. Mental illnesses affect development and everyday functioning. They can be debilitating and life-threatening.
What are the Signs of Mental Illness?
The symptoms and signs of mental illness may be very subtle. It is important to identify and manage mental illness in its infancy as it can take on a very sinister turn in an individual’s life, while also creating a really difficult situation for family and friends.
Here are a few signs that could indicate that a person might be suffering from mental illness:
- Feeling very sad, hopeless, or empty
- Experiencing significant changes in weight and appetite
- Feeling agitated or sluggish
- Experiencing problems with sleep
- Restless behavior
- Unnecessary worry about things that are upsetting but not threatening
- Thoughts of suicide
Channelizing Your Thoughts on Improving Your Mental Health
It is easy to get stressed and spend too much time on work. However, it is important to take a break from time to time and focus on your personal life.
In the era of social media and technology, it is not easy to disconnect from those devices and discover your inner self. However, it is important for your mental health that you do this every once in a while.
How to Practice Self-Care to Improve Your Mental State
The importance of self-care as a means to improve your mental health is almost always understated. It is said that with the right self-care, it is possible to live a happy and healthy life. Self-care is not something that’s only reserved for those with mental illness or those who have suffered a traumatic event in their life.
Self-care can be anything from taking an hour to meditate or even just listening to music. Experts suggest that by making time to care for ourselves, we are more likely to take care of our responsibilities and obligations in life. Self-care isn't just about taking prescription medication or therapy sessions; it's about finding whatever works for you, whatever makes you feel better and more balanced – no matter how simple or trifle it may seem.
The Importance of Family & Friends in WMHD Awareness Month
Many organizations, hospitals and healthcare professionals work to raise awareness about mental health during the mental health awareness month. There are a number of different events happening around the globe to raise awareness for WMH conditions and this is an important time for all of us to take care of our own as well as our friends’ and family’s wellness and be there for each other. Take the time to reflect on your own mental health and of those around you. This can help to create awareness about mental health in our families and to help each other along the journey.
Conclusion: The Importance of World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day is an annual observance of the importance of mental health and wellbeing. It was established in 1992 by a joint effort from the World Federation for Mental Health and the World Health Organization. It is a time to reflect on how our mental health impacts our physical health, and what we can do to improve it. Mental health affects all aspects of our lives including our bodies.
An important aspect of managing mental health issues is early identification and intervention. We carry the burden to educate ourselves about mental health and create awareness about the various types of mental health issues and find the necessary help and support to overcome mental health issues holistically. This World Mental Health Day 2021, let us commit ourselves to fulfil the goal of World Health Organisation’s goal “Mental health care for all: let's make it a reality.“
