MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

INTRODUCTION 

One vital aspect of our lives as human beings is the mental aspect;  unfortunately,  it is the most overlooked. It is no joke when the researchers say that well over 450 million people of the world's population is plagued with one disorder or another.

Furthermore, one in four persons globally, suffer from a mental disorder at some point of their life. This is what the typical Nigerian calls "The 5 minutes madness".

Owing to misinformation and the lack of urgency, many people do not seem to even know that they are victims of mental disorder. We hold an untrue believe that it is only when a person roams naked on the streets that he/she is considered mentally unhealthy. On the other hand, it is interesting to know that some of the strange attitudes we portray, but yet ignore are signs of disorders which tend to worsen if not attended to and may result in depression and suicidal thoughts.

According to Wikipedia, mental health is the level of psychological wellbeing or absence of mental illness in an individual. While Magellan health insight defined mental illness as a range of disorders that affect the mood, thinking and behavior of an individual.

Statistics have shown that there are over 300 types of mental disorders. These 300 disorders can be grouped into: Anxiety disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, substance use disorders, sexual disorder, sleep disorder, eating disorder, personality disorder, post traumatic disorder and neurodevelopmental disorderliness.

The Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders DSM-IV states that mental disorder is a psychological pattern associated with distress, disability and a significant loss of autonomy.

Although it can be as a result of genetics, but there are other factors that greatly influence mental health. These factors include environment, life experience, physical health and relationships.  Hence, the WHO describes mental disorders as being generally categorized by a combination of abnormal thoughts, emotions, behavior and relationship with others.

The importance of being aware of mental health in general, and more specifically your mental health level cannot be over emphasized.

Just as you pay attention to your physical well being, you also ought to examine your mental health being. The same way you try to keep your body fit, you also need to keep your mind (which is the power house of your body) fit. And keeping your mind fit starts from gaining knowledge and extends into taking proper measures to maintain a balanced mental health.

A few of the benefits of having a balanced mental health are, increase in self knowledge and confidence, enhanced relationship with others, boost in physical health, improvement in goal setting and decision making etc.

In addition, emotional and mental health are closely related, as they both affect each other. Therefore, if you properly manage your mental health, then you have high a chance of being emotionally healthy as well.

In the following articles, we will discuss certain mental disorders which are constantly overlooked and accepted as normal and the behaviors associated with them.

👉 Pay More Attention to your attitude and mental health.

👉 Drop comments about your take on mental health. 

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