How to Prevent Mental Health Problems

On 19th of June, 2019, Desmond Amofah, famously known as Etika, committed suicide. Etika was a popular American YouTuber, streamer and model. As expected, his suicide set the internet on fire especially because he appeared to be leading a beautiful life by every reasonable standard. However, what not so many knew was that he had been battling with mental illness (depression) for years before his suicide.

Key points

• Mental health problems are a myriad of mental health conditions that affect your mood, thinking, and behaviour.
• There are almost 300 mental disorders, and the most common ones are anxiety disorders, eating disorders, depression, schizophrenia, and addictive behaviors.
• Mental health problems can be prevented through conscious effort, such as talking to someone you trust, spreading love, eating healthy foods, and giving attention to your kids.
• Talk with a healthcare professional on this platform, Kompletecare.

Just like Etika, a whopping 800,000 other people commit suicide annually based on mental health issues. This means one person commits suicide every 40 seconds. According to a report by the World Health Organization in 2001, about 450,000,000 of the world population suffer from one mental disorder or the other. It went further to posit that one in 4 persons grapples with the signs at some point in their life.

In case these figures do not call close to home, know that in 2018, the Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health disclosed that “an estimated 20-30% of the population is believed to suffer from mental disorders. This is a very significant number, considering that Nigeria has an estimated population of 200 million.” This is to say that 3 in 10 Nigerians suffer from mental disorders, and the global burden is still on the increase!

What does this mean to you?

It simply implies that the earlier you pay adequate attention to your mental health, the better. There are almost 300 mental disorders according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the most common ones include depression, schizophrenia, prolonged anxiety, eating disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse/addiction and personality disorder.

These mental illnesses do not have a particular cause, rather they can affect a person due to a range of reasons like genetic makeup, traumatic experiences, stress, brain injury, and so on.

Throughout the globe, people’s health is usually evaluated by others based on their physical appearance which is expected because we live in a world of appearances. But a whole lot is going on behind the scenes.

When talking about a person’s wellbeing, often, their mental health is inadvertently overlooked which makes the campaign on mental health awareness a tad in the background.

Mental Disorders: Flattening the Curve

Always talk to someone: 

The problem with most people who experience depression, for instance, is their tendency to ‘suffer’ in silence which fuels their despondency. The stigma surrounding mental disorder in this part of the globe may have contributed to victims choosing silence over talking it through. But keeping quiet does not help ultimately. Whenever you start losing your peace or sleep over a matter, it helps to unburden the load of concern on someone. The person may not always be of help, but you will be amazed at the difference a listening ear can make. Talk it through and vent it out.

Spread love as much as you can: 

No matter the amount of stress you are dealing with, making out extra time to get involved in activities that show kindness and love to others helps you mentally and otherwise. Apart from your daily job, it helps to spend your time doing something for others – giving back in one way or the other. You can do this by volunteering in a charity organization or ventures dedicated to humanitarian services. Activities like these are proven to make one feel better and pumped mentally.

Be intentional about your happiness and your self-esteem: 

The world is busy and so are a lot of people, which makes it quite easy for anyone to be burned out easily from stress. Over time, especially if care is not taken, life experiences may metamorphose into one mental health issue or another. It is therefore imperative to take deliberate steps in controlling how much stress one endures and increase activities that enhances one’s esteem.

Mind the food you eat:

Research has shown that diet and nutrition affect one’s mental health positively or negatively. Foods that are high in sugar, for instance, sugar-sweetened beverages, or greatly processed foods like frozen pizza or bacon, have negative effects on mental health as they increase one’s risk of developing anxiety and depression. So, proper dieting does not only help with physical health but contributes immensely to mental wellbeing as well.

Give children the attention they require: 

If you are a parent or guardian to a young child, ensure the child has a happy childhood by paying attention to the child’s disposition as well as encouraging activities that build his/her self-esteem. It equally helps to be observant and look out to avoid any form of child abuse or molestation as this is proven to be one of the leading causes of mental disorders in adults. In a nutshell, it is best to guard what we let into our minds with all diligence.

Pay attention to what your mind is saying today.

If you or someone you know is experiencing any mental health issue, talk to a Professional Online today on KompleteCare. Your privacy and confidentiality are guaranteed!

How telemedicine can help

It is crucial to receive the care you need to prevent mental health problems from occurring. Through the telemedicine offered by the Kompletecare online platform, you can request a virtual visit with a variety of doctors, practitioners, and therapists.

Telemedicine is an alternative way to consult with doctors, with the help of technological advancements. Telemedicine is a simpler way to consult with healthcare professionals, even for people who do not think they are computer literate.

When you feel exhausted, confused, or stressed from life in general, remember someone cares through this route called telemedicine, for it grants you convenience and enhanced your mental health through phone or video consultations between you and healthcare professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can we solve mental health problems?

Mental health problems create emotional instability and discomfort for an individual and their loved ones. Here are some tips to help you solve mental health problems:

• Reduce stress and relax.
• Indulge more in your creative abilities and learn new things along the way.
• Develop an affinity with nature and be in nature often.
• Develop meaningful relationships with others.
• Take good care of your physical health.
• Make it a routine to have quality sleep.

2.How can we prevent mental illness in youth?

The youthful stage is a delightful moment in anyone’s life, and building a sense of connectedness with adults, friends at home, school, and in the community are very essential. A strong relationship with trusted people can shield a young individual from mental health problems and reduce the tendency towards drug abuse and violence.

3.What causes mental health problems?

These factors listed below are known to cause mental health problems:

• Early childhood abuse or trauma.
• Loneliness.
• Ostracised due to racial or social tension.
• Lack of financial resources.
• Death of a loved one.
• Prolonged stressful encounters.
• Prolonged illness.

4.How do people deal with mental health?

You can deal with mental health problems by:

Speaking with a person that you trust
Talking with someone in your own words can create a feeling of love, safety, and togetherness about that particular issue. Your mental health is protected, and any further problems are prevented. Letting someone you trust know what you are going through can sometimes make you see that there is hope and a solution.

5. What is a good conclusion for mental health?

Positive mental health creates better educational achievements, quality output, an increase in lifespan, and a decrease in harmful acts. These factors contribute to a meaningful, progressive, and blissful society.

6. What are the goals of mental health awareness?

The goals of mental health awareness are:

• To help individuals see the need to seek help.
• Minimise the stigma attached to mental illness.
• Bring awareness to people about the mental health trajectory and prevent suicide.
• Uplift emotional wellbeing events

7. What are the 7 types of mental health?

Here are 7 types of mental health:

• Behavioural and emotional disorders in children.
• Depression.
• Dissociation and dissociative disorders.
• Bipolar affective disorder.
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
• Anxiety disorders.
• Paranoia.
• Eating disorders.

8. What are the signs of mental health?

The possible signs of mental health problems are:

• Constantly feeling worried.
• Depressed.
• Constantly feeling guilty or worthless.
• Abnormal change in behaviour towards oneself and others, sleep, weight, or responsibility at school or work

9. Can you heal yourself from mental illness?

If you have gotten the required help you need, then yes, you can heal yourself from mental health problems. When you feel any related symptoms from the mental health problems, you can select the best technique that suits you well and work through it.

10. Why is it important to talk about a mental health?

We contribute to the stigma associated with mental health by keeping it silent (what is stigma?). Among the negative consequences of stigma are the following: prejudice, lack of comprehension from friends, family, co-workers, or other people.

Reference

Medline Plus. (2020). How to improve your mental health.

Mayo Clinic. (2022). Mental illness- Symptoms and causes.

Centre for disease and prevention. (n.d). Mental Health.

Mental Health Foundation. (2023). Our best mental health tips.

Betterhealth.vic. (2023). Types of mental health issues and illnesses.

Medical Disclaimer: KompleteCare™ aims to improve the quality of life for everyone with fact-based content about the nature of diseases, preventive care, behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.

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