Importance of Mental Health Awareness

Why do we need it?

Our mental health is equally important as our physical health. While we try to keep our bodies, outfit and appearances fit and healthy, it is also necessary to keep our minds fit and strong. However, most of us have no idea on how to keep our mental health in proper shape or how we could understand those who are experiencing mental health concerns.

Almost half of the young generation across the globe are experiencing mental health problems. Most of them are experiencing different forms of depression and anxiety caused by peer pressure, family concerns, relationship problems, poor self-esteem etc. Also, those who are experiencing these resorts to a lot of dangerous activities that could lead to serious complications. However, it is sad to know that people really don’t care about it. They rather just call it over acting, over thinking or excess drama and dismiss the entire issue. This is not done.

The Stigma:

The stigma of mental health issues come from those who do not really understand what is going on with someone who is mentally ill or deficient. They don’t even understand the meaning of someone being mentally ill. They would simply consider them mad or attention seeker. They would won’t even talk to them at times and would rather judge them from their own perspectives. people with depression are considered lonely. These people only need a push to move forward, some support to improve themselves. People do not really seem to care for those who are anxious and people with deteriorating self-consciousness. Even those who have died of suicide just get tagged as cowards or immature individuals. This kind of stigma in our society has to end right now. This can’t continue forever. Although the general perception of mental illness has improved over the past decades, studies show that stigma against mental illness is still powerful, largely due to media stereotypes and lack of education, and that people tend to attach negative stigmas to mental health conditions at a far higher rate than to other diseases and disabilities, such as cancer, diabetes or heart disease.

What can we do to help?

Stigma affects not only the number seeking treatment, but also the number of resources available for proper treatment. Stigma and misinformation can feel like overwhelming obstacles for someone who is struggling with a mental health condition. Here a few powerful things you can do to help:

Showing individuals respect and acceptance removes a significant barrier to successfully coping with their illness. Having people see you as an individual and not as your illness can make the biggest difference for someone who is struggling with their mental health. Advocating within our circles of influence helps ensure these individuals have the same rights and opportunities as other members of your church, school and community. Learning more about mental health allows us to provide helpful support to those affected in our families and communities. Many organizations, companies, and industries in society are now uniting themselves towards mental health awareness. Fashion companies are making custom T-shirts with encouraging words or phrases. Office industries are setting up mental health corners for their employees who could possibly experience mental health problems. Non-government organizations are reaching out to families who may have a troubled set-up and has been affecting the mental health of their children.

All of these are positive attributes that could help spread mental health awareness and end the stigma that anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns are just mere drama or nothing of consequences. It is important to keep our minds, as well as everyone else’s mental wellness, an important aspect of our health in order to maintain a healthy and balanced life.