Happy World Mental Health Day! Annually, on October 10, this day raises awareness and mobilizes efforts to support mental health.
Mental health is a hot topic. This is good news. It means the stigma for mental health issues is slowly going away. Mental health issues are finally getting the attention they deserve.
Healthcare workers and individuals feel they can discuss mental health more openly. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t still work to do.
As a whole, we often misunderstand mental health because it is hard to define.
Additionally, mental health includes several areas. These areas involve one’s social, emotional, and psychological well-being.
Mental health affects thoughts, feelings, and actions. When we have positive mental health, we handle stress better, our productivity remains stable, and we realize our full potential.
When one has poor mental health, they are more likely to suffer from a mental health disorder.
These disorders include the following diagnoses:
• Depression
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Panic disorder
• Phobias
• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
• Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Of these mental health disorders, most people experience anxiety disorders. Statistics show that about four percent of the world’s population has a form of anxiety disorder.
In the United States, the percentage increases to just over eighteen percent of the population.
Some people are at a higher risk of getting a mental health disorder.
These include those with high-stress levels, those who have experienced trauma, and those who have few healthy relationships. However, family history plays a role in higher risk factors as well.
Thanks to increased awareness and increased funding for research, there are effective treatment options for most mental health disorders.
Conventional treatment methods include medication, psychotherapy, and hospital and residential programs.
HOW TO OBSERVE
While not everyone faces a life with mental health issues, mental health impacts all of us. That’s why discussing mental health with your loved ones is a vital part of this observance.
The World Federation for Mental Health organizes World Mental Health Day. Each year, organizations host a variety of events all around the world to increase awareness about mental health issues.
Events include educational seminars, free mental health screenings, walk-a-thons, marathons, conferences, mass media promotions, and public service announcements.
If you know someone who struggles with a mental health disorder, World Mental Health Day is a great way to reach out to them.
While many people don’t feel comfortable talking to others about their diagnosis, knowing they have someone to reach out to makes a real difference.
You can also donate to an organization that advocates for mental health. A few include the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) and the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation.
If you think you might have a mental health disorder or are at a high risk of getting one, schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Share this day on social media with #WorldMentalHealthDay.
HISTORY
In 1992, the World Federation for Mental Health first observed World Mental Health Day with members and contacts in many countries.
While the federations first used a theme in 1994, previous years did not.
The first theme was “Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services throughout the World.” Twenty-seven countries participated in that campaign.
In 1995, the World Federation for Mental Health translated planning kits for World Mental Health Day into various languages. These languages included Spanish and French.
Today, planning kits are translated into Hindi, Chinese, Arabic, and other languages, too.
Recent themes for World Mental Health Day have included:
• 2019: Working Together to Prevent Suicide
• 2018: Young People and Mental Health
• 2017: Mental Health in the Workplace
• 2016: Psychological and Mental Health First Aid
What can you do to raise awareness for World Mental Health Day today?
#WorldMentalHealthDay
@WFMH1
@nichecinema
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