Mental Health Matters

         Drop everything and take a break to ask yourself this one question. “Are you okay?” This is a question wherein an individual would reflect on. One’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being are all part of their mental health. It has an impact on the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It also influences dealing with stress, interacting with people, and making decisions. Mental health is associated with different kinds of mental illnesses. A mental illness is a defect in the brain that causes problems with thinking, behaviour, energy, or emotion, making it difficult to deal with everyday life responsibilities.

         These illnesses are not seen and often not brought to attention. As we spend years in this pandemic, not only the physical health and immune system of people are sacrificed. People, most especially young adults are observed to suffer from mild to severe mental illnesses. This pandemic and the continuous economic downgrade have had a severe impact on people's mental health and created additional obstacles for those who are already suffering from mental illness or other personal problems.

          Young people have faced a variety of pandemic-related problems, such as the closures of high schools and colleges and lost income, which greatly contributed to their poor mental health. During the pandemic, a higher-than-average percentage of young people (ages 18-24) experience anxiety or depression symptoms (56 %). Young people tend to be reported of drug use and suicidal thoughts more likely than adults. (25% vs 13%) Even before the pandemic, younger people have the tendencies to have mental illnesses since they are exposed to the rapid change of time as well as changes in perceptions in life.

          There is no single cause for mental illness. A number of factors can contribute to risk for mental illness. Genetics and family history, life experiences such as the history of emotional stress and abuse, biological factors, a traumatic brain injury, alcohol or drugs, having an unstable and toxic social circle can trigger or cause the mental illnesses of an individual’s mental disorder. Remember that mental disorders are not caused by one’s flaws. They are neither lazy nor weak.

           Despite the fact that public ideology of mental illness has improved in the current times, studies show that stigma against mental illness remains strong, owing in part to media stereotypes and lack of education and that people detaching themselves to the negative stigmas to mental health conditions This has an impact not just on the people who are seeking treatment, but also on the availability for effective treatment. For someone suffering from a mental illness, stigma and misinformation lead to ignorance towards the subject. Individuals who are treated with respect and acceptance in society are considered to be able to cope better with their condition. For someone who is suffering from their mental health, having others view them as a normal person rather than as an illness makes a great difference within people who suffers from their mental disorders. Learning more about mental health helps us to better assist people in our families and communities who are suffering as well.

              Mental health is an important subject in our society. People lose themselves and their connection to others because of it. It affects the people around them, their decisions, views and their lives. Asking for help is turns out to be difficult for some. It is indeed awkward and shameful to admit that you need help but that does not make you weak. This becomes the path for you and for the betterment of yourself. Your trusted friends and family members will always have full ears whenever you are ready to express what you truly feel. It is not advisable to bottle up your emotions and dwell on them on your own. If not your friends and family, there are mental health hotlines to call which is available in different countries to help you. This is the time to rest and to prioritize yourself. Push yourself in a way that affects you positively. If you are currently suffering from the lowest points of your life, find someone who is all ears for you. Take time to heal and remember that you are not weak. We are all proud of you for making it through every day.