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Have you ever felt down or sad? I bet you all have at some point and it is very normal. It shows that you have feelings. Mental health is a topic that gets stigmatized so often in our society. If someone is having a mental health issue, they are less likely to get help because of that stigma and shame. There is a spectrum of how we experience things. We may sometimes lose control and regain it, or we may experience the extremes of high and low emotions and not be able to cope.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is a state of mental well-being in which an individual realizes his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and can contribute to his or her community. It is the foundation for individual wellbeing and effective functioning of a community.
Our mental health encompasses our psychological and social well-being. This means it impacts how we feel, think, and behave each day. Our mental health also contributes to our decision-making process, how we cope with stress and how we relate to others in our lives. Research shows that one in five adults in America, 43.8 million people and one in four Nigerians, some 50 million people experience mental illness. This means that mental health issues frequent our population and affect everything we do.
Mental health is just as important as physical health or wellbeing. Over 450 million people suffer from mental disorders. According to WHO, by the year 2020, depression will make up the second-largest disease burden worldwide. The seventh-largest country in the world, Nigeria, has Africa’s highest caseload of depression and ranks 15th in the world in the frequency of suicide, according to WHO. Poor mental health plays a significant role in diminished immune and physical functioning.
When stress infiltrates our body, we shut down. How we cope with stress is everything. Untreated mental health issues can lead to further falling apart. Many people turn to drugs and alcohol as coping mechanisms, affecting their overall health and stability. When they do not treat themselves right, it becomes a cycle of destructive behaviour. Stress affects one’s physical wellbeing and ability to take care of themselves, and this may cause destructive patterns. When we reach this point, we sometimes only then learn that mental health is important.
From the above, mental health is important because it is a vital part of our lives and impacts our thoughts, behaviours and emotions. Being healthy mentally can promote productivity and effectiveness in activities like work, school or caregiving. It not only plays an important part in the health of our everyday relationships but, allows us to adapt to changes in life and cope with adversity.
Finally, mental health matters, taking care of our mental health aids our resilience and recovery from anything that happens. Anyone can have a bad day, yet it does not mean that it is an awful life. How we respond to it and take care of our mental health matters so yes! Our mental health should be a priority!
Written by: Salman Aonat
Edited by: Ezebuiro Lois.
REFERENCES
- Holthaus J. (April, 2020). The importance of mental health awareness. Retrieved from https://www.pinerest.org/mental-health-awareness-blog/
- Rani S. (November, 2020). Importance of mental health. Retrieved from https://vikaspedia.in/health/mental-health/awareness-of-mental-health
- Socrates M. (October, 2019). Nigeria has a mental health problem. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2019/10/2/nigeria-has-a-mental-health-problem
- Xiong G. (October, 2018). Why it is important to care for your mental health. Retrieved from https://blog.doctorondemand.com/why-its-important-to-care-for-your-mental-health-834c8670b889