How to manage mental health
With growing awareness about health, several inspirations, and self-motivation, a number of people from youth to seniors are taking their fitness more seriously. They are increasingly engaging in physical activities like yoga, weight training, aerobics, running and more. However, amid the entire fitness scene, people tend to ignore their mental health across the world. Making the issue more critical, stress, anxiety and depression are now common problems among all the age groups.
According to United Nations, mental health has always been among the most neglected public health domain globally. Nearly 1 billion of population is now living with a mental disorder worldwide, says UN agency World Health Organization (WHO) report. Around 3 million people die due to harmful use of alcohol annually, while one person dies by suicide every 40 seconds, says the 2020 report. Further, Covid-19 pandemic has made worse impact on people’s mental health.
No access to quality health services
While mental health cases are rising rapidly, a number of people even don’t know that they suffering from any such condition. A very few number of people globally have access to quality mental health services. Over 75 percent of people with mental, neurological and substance use disorders in low and middle income nations don’t get any treatment for their issue. Moreover, the people with mental conditions encounter with stigma, discrimination, punitive legislation and human rights abuses.
In recent years, depression-related disability and death cases have risen worldwide. Those facing severe mental conditions tend to die premature death up two decades early owing to preventable physical issues. Suicide is second major cause of death among mental health patients, especially 15-29-year-olds. But it’s not just youth that bear the burns of life-threatening psychological issues. As per a number of recent researches, more and more seniors are going in the trap of such conditions.
Seniors need special care, concern
We see daily growth in dementia cases among elderly people. Though general thinking suggests it’s an aging issue, dementia is not an outcome of aging. Dementia may be consequence of other diseases, medical reactions, vision and hearing conditions, infections, nutritional imbalances, diabetes, and renal failure. Among the various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, many are temporary. People can be treated if they find accurate diagnosis, management and support.
Depression is the most common mental health issue seniors and youngsters encounter with. In absence of proper treatment, this condition may lead a person to suicide. There are many other severe mental conditions that are common among almost every age group. Among them there is bipolar disorder – radical mood swings ranging from extreme low to extreme high for weeks. Another one is schizophrenia – chronic and life-threatening disorder drastically influencing one’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors to the core.
Tips on how to manage metal health
- Get enough sleep because not only your body gets tired but also your brains need rest.
- Take balanced diet and enough water, don’t avoid eating well, especially when hungry.
- Keep distance from alcohol, tobacco, drugs as they are worsening your mental condition.
- Have plenty of sunlight because body and brains both need Vitamin D to be healthy.
- Manage stress by yoga, meditation, journalising, stretching, laugh, music, dance.
- Engage in physical activities – walking, running, cycling, swimming, aerobics, or sports.
- Enjoy hobbies and fun activities like a creative art or craft, reading, writing, or travel.
- Socialize with people you like to spend time with – friends, family, social club buddies.
- Offer helping hand to people facing similar issues, and get company in the journey.
- Don’t hesitate to take help of expert or counselor as they can offer the best treatment.
