Mental health is necessary for a good life

By Mark DaCosta- The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines mental health as a “state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”

The Mental Health Foundation based in the United Kingdom states that, “For over 70 years, we have been working to make sure that mental health is treated on a par with physical health. Mental health problems exist in our lives, families, workplaces and communities, impacting everyone. We must do as much as possible to prevent mental ill-health – as individuals and as a society. We will continue to call on national and local governments to prioritise reducing the factors known to pose a risk to people’s mental health, enhancing those known to protect it and creating the conditions needed for people to thrive.”

The fact that a healthy mental state is a prerequisite for a good and productive life is now universally accepted. As such, in 1992, the World Federation for Mental Health and the WHO declared October 10^th of each year to be World Mental Health Day. The goal of this observance is to increase awareness about mental health. The theme of the day in 2022 is, “Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority.”

According to experts, over the course of a person’s life, if mental health problems develop, one’s thinking, mood, and behaviour could be adversely affected, thereby negatively impacting one’s quality of life.   The experts say that many factors contribute to mental health problems, including: biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry, life experiences, such as trauma or abuse, and a family history of mental health problems.

Early warning signs of a problem include the following:

• Eating or sleeping too much or too little
• Pulling away from people and usual activities
• Having low or no energy
• Feeling numb or like nothing matters
• Having unexplained aches and pains
• Feeling helpless or hopeless
• Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
• Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
• Yelling or fighting with family and friends
• Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
• Having persistent thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head
• Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
• Thinking of harming yourself or others
• Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school

The WHO states that global stressful situations — including disease and political conflicts — have had a significant negative effect on the mental wellbeing of people throughout the world. One WHO says, “Many aspects of mental health have been challenged [by COVID-19]; and already before the pandemic in 2019 an estimated one in eight people globally were living with a mental disorder. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global crisis for mental health, fuelling short and long-term stresses and undermining the mental health of millions. Estimates put the rise in both anxiety and depressive disorders at more than 25 per cent during the first year of the pandemic. At the same time, mental health services have been severely disrupted and the treatment gap for mental health conditions has widened.”

The WHO states, “Growing social and economic inequalities, protracted conflicts, violence and public health emergencies affect whole populations, threatening progress towards improved well-being; a staggering 84 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced during 2021.  We must deepen the value and commitment we give to mental health as individuals, communities and governments and match that value with more commitment, engagement and investment by all stakeholders, across all sectors.  We must strengthen mental health care so that the full spectrum of mental health needs is met through a community-based network of accessible, affordable and quality services and supports.”

It is reassuring that decision makers and international organisations recognise that a healthy mental state is necessary for a good life. Additionally, the fact that stigma associated with mental illness appears to be slowly eroding is a positive development. The WHO may have captured and expressed the hopes of many persons affected by my mental illness and the efforts of those who support those patients. The WHO says that, “. . . the ability to reconnect through World Mental Health Day 2022 will provide us with an opportunity to re-kindle our efforts to protect and improve mental health.”