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Essay on Mental Health

According to WHO, there is no single 'official' definition of mental health. Mental health refers to a person's psychological, emotional, and social well-being; it influences what they feel and how they think, and behave. The state of cognitive and behavioural well-being is referred to as mental health. The term 'mental health' is also used to refer to the absence of mental disease. 

Mental health means keeping our minds healthy. Mankind generally is more focused on keeping their physical body healthy. People tend to ignore the state of their minds. Human superiority over other animals lies in his superior mind. Man has been able to control life due to his highly developed brain. So, it becomes very important for a man to keep both his body and mind fit and healthy. Both physical and mental health are equally important for better performance and results.

Importance of Mental Health 

An emotionally fit and stable person always feels vibrant and truly alive and can easily manage emotionally difficult situations. To be emotionally strong, one has to be physically fit too. Although mental health is a personal issue, what affects one person may or may not affect another; yet, several key elements lead to mental health issues.

Many emotional factors have a significant effect on our fitness level like depression, aggression, negative thinking, frustration, and fear, etc. A physically fit person is always in a good mood and can easily cope up with situations of distress and depression resulting in regular training contributing to a good physical fitness standard. 

Mental fitness implies a state of psychological well-being. It denotes having a positive sense of how we feel, think, and act, which improves one’s ability to enjoy life. It contributes to one’s inner ability to be self-determined. It is a proactive, positive term and forsakes negative thoughts that may come to mind. The term mental fitness is increasingly being used by psychologists, mental health practitioners, schools, organisations, and the general population to denote logical thinking, clear comprehension, and reasoning ability.

 Negative Impact of Mental Health

The way we physically fall sick, we can also fall sick mentally. Mental illness is the instability of one’s health, which includes changes in emotion, thinking, and behaviour. Mental illness can be caused due to stress or reaction to a certain incident. It could also arise due to genetic factors, biochemical imbalances, child abuse or trauma, social disadvantage, poor physical health condition, etc. Mental illness is curable. One can seek help from the experts in this particular area or can overcome this illness by positive thinking and changing their lifestyle.

Regular fitness exercises like morning walks, yoga, and meditation have proved to be great medicine for curing mental health. Besides this, it is imperative to have a good diet and enough sleep. A person needs 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night on average. When someone is tired yet still can't sleep, it's a symptom that their mental health is unstable. Overworking oneself can sometimes result in not just physical tiredness but also significant mental exhaustion. As a result, people get insomnia (the inability to fall asleep). Anxiety is another indicator. 

There are many symptoms of mental health issues that differ from person to person and among the different kinds of issues as well. For instance, panic attacks and racing thoughts are common side effects. As a result of this mental strain, a person may experience chest aches and breathing difficulties. Another sign of poor mental health is a lack of focus. It occurs when you have too much going on in your life at once, and you begin to make thoughtless mistakes, resulting in a loss of capacity to focus effectively. Another element is being on edge all of the time.

It's noticeable when you're quickly irritated by minor events or statements, become offended, and argue with your family, friends, or co-workers. It occurs as a result of a build-up of internal irritation. A sense of alienation from your loved ones might have a negative influence on your mental health. It makes you feel lonely and might even put you in a state of despair. You can prevent mental illness by taking care of yourself like calming your mind by listening to soft music, being more social, setting realistic goals for yourself, and taking care of your body. 

Surround yourself with individuals who understand your circumstances and respect you as the unique individual that you are. This practice will assist you in dealing with the sickness successfully.  Improve your mental health knowledge to receive the help you need to deal with the problem. To gain emotional support, connect with other people, family, and friends.  Always remember to be grateful in life.  Pursue a hobby or any other creative activity that you enjoy.

What does Experts say

Many health experts have stated that mental, social, and emotional health is an important part of overall fitness. Physical fitness is a combination of physical, emotional, and mental fitness. Emotional fitness has been recognized as the state in which the mind is capable of staying away from negative thoughts and can focus on creative and constructive tasks. 

He should not overreact to situations. He should not get upset or disturbed by setbacks, which are parts of life. Those who do so are not emotionally fit though they may be physically strong and healthy. There are no gyms to set this right but yoga, meditation, and reading books, which tell us how to be emotionally strong, help to acquire emotional fitness. 

Stress and depression can lead to a variety of serious health problems, including suicide in extreme situations. Being mentally healthy extends your life by allowing you to experience more joy and happiness. Mental health also improves our ability to think clearly and boosts our self-esteem. We may also connect spiritually with ourselves and serve as role models for others. We'd also be able to serve people without being a mental drain on them. 

Mental sickness is becoming a growing issue in the 21st century. Not everyone receives the help that they need. Even though mental illness is common these days and can affect anyone, there is still a stigma attached to it. People are still reluctant to accept the illness of mind because of this stigma. They feel shame to acknowledge it and seek help from the doctors. It's important to remember that "mental health" and "mental sickness" are not interchangeable.

Mental health and mental illness are inextricably linked. Individuals with good mental health can develop mental illness, while those with no mental disease can have poor mental health. Mental illness does not imply that someone is insane, and it is not anything to be embarrassed by. Our society's perception of mental disease or disorder must shift. Mental health cannot be separated from physical health. They both are equally important for a person. 

Our society needs to change its perception of mental illness or disorder. People have to remove the stigma attached to this illness and educate themselves about it. Only about 20% of adolescents and children with diagnosable mental health issues receive the therapy they need. 

According to research conducted on adults, mental illness affects 19% of the adult population. Nearly one in every five children and adolescents on the globe has a mental illness. Depression, which affects 246 million people worldwide, is one of the leading causes of disability. If  mental illness is not treated at the correct time then the consequences can be grave.

One of the essential roles of school and education is to protect boys’ and girls' mental health as teenagers are at a high risk of mental health issues. It can also impair the proper growth and development of various emotional and social skills in teenagers. Many factors can cause such problems in children. Feelings of inferiority and insecurity are the two key factors that have the greatest impact. As a result, they lose their independence and confidence, which can be avoided by encouraging the children to believe in themselves at all times. 

To make people more aware of mental health, 10th October is observed as World Mental Health. The object of this day is to spread awareness about mental health issues around the world and make all efforts in the support of mental health.

The mind is one of the most powerful organs in the body, regulating the functioning of all other organs. When our minds are unstable, they affect the whole functioning of our bodies. Being both physically and emotionally fit is the key to success in all aspects of life. People should be aware of the consequences of mental illness and must give utmost importance to keeping the mind healthy like the way the physical body is kept healthy. Mental and physical health cannot be separated from each other. And only when both are balanced can we call a person perfectly healthy and well. So, it is crucial for everyone to work towards achieving a balance between mental and physical wellbeing and get the necessary help when either of them falters.

Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Mental Illness — The Importance of Mental Health

Well-being and The Importance of Mental Health Awareness

• Categories: Mental Illness Social Isolation Stress Management

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Introduction, mental health awareness, emotional well-being, psychological well‐being, social well-being.

• Health Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aginglifecarejournal.org/health-effects-of-social-isolation-and-loneliness/.
• Top of Form Mental Health Myths and Facts https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/mental-health-myths-facts
• Mental Health Care Services by Family Physicians Position Paper. American Academy of Family Physicians Web site. http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/policy/policies/m/mentalhealthcareservices.htm. Accessed February 11, 2013. [Google Scholar]
• Newman, T. (2017, August 24). Mental health: Definition, common disorders, and early signs. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154543.php.
• Bottom of Form Rodriguez, B. D., Hurley, K., Upham, B., Kilroy, D. S., Dark, N., & Abreu, E (n.d.).Happiness and Emotional Well-Being. Retrieved from https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/understanding/index.aspx.
• World Health Organization. The Global Burden of Disease, 2004 Update. Part 4, Burden of Disease, DALYs. http://www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_disease/GBD_report_2004update_full.pdf . Accessed January 10, 2013. [Google Scholar]

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How to Improve Mental Health in the Community

Introduction.

Mental health is defined as human psychological, emotional, and social prosperity. It influences how people think, feel, and act as they contend with life. It helps identify how to relate with others, handle stress, and make decisions. Unfortunately, the United States has the highest rate of mental illness in the world. One in four Americans is diagnosed with mental illness every year (Al-Rousan et al., 2017). Emotional sickness cases are high in this nation compared to other countries globally.

Emotional illness, in most cases, starts at a very tender age in humans. The average age of start of mental illness is the age of fourteen years. The effects of this issue can be very frustrating, it accounts for 55.7 million outpatient care visits annually (González et al., 2018). Serious mental complications, including bipolar disorder, severe depression, and schizophrenia, can reduce life expectancy by twenty-five years or more. In the jails, 64 % of the inmates and 25% of the homeless population has complex mental issues (Greene et al.,2018). With this information, a quick intervention has to happen to reduce these cases, and the following is advice on how to do it.

Importance of Mental Health

Mental health is vital because it helps adapt to the stresses that come along in life. It aids in being physically healthy and having good relationships with others. It also helps in making meaningful contributions to the community, working efficiently, and realizing full potential. All this consideration leads to healthy mental living conditions for an individual (Kilbourne et al., 2018). The chances of emotional health complications reduce in the society hence a healthy living emotionally.

The Methods of Improving Mental Health

It is important to consider improving mental health, and this process is mostly an individual effort. If people focus on better emotional health, it will be easier to handle this situation nationally and globally. The individual effort will result in mental health improvement personally. In addition, it will lead to growth from a single person to a community level, then a national level, which will result in global change (Baba et al., 2017). Humans can do various things to better their mental health condition, and this includes the following.

Maintaining Positivity in Life

It is good to try as much as possible to have a positive attitude in life always. This effort includes setting up the balance between positive and negative emotions. Maintaining positivity does not mean that people never feel negative emotions, such as anger or sadness. However, it is okay to feel them so that a person can get over difficult situations. For instance, it is not useful to keep thinking of bad events in the past or worry a lot over the tomorrow. Another way of staying positive is to focus on the positive emotions when having those (Baba et al., 2017). Also, having a break from the negative information, knowing when to stop giving attention helps maintain positivity.

Taking Care of Physical Health

Human being’s physical and mental health are connected, therefore taking care of the body also helps in reducing emotional illness. Maintaining body health includes ensuring the body is active by exercising, which reduces stress and depression feelings. Also, serving healthy meals improves physical well-being, as the right nutrition will assist the body to feel better physically, resulting in mood change and decreased stress and anxiety (Baba et al., 2017). Lack of certain nutrients in the body may lead to some mental illness. For instance, there may be a link between depression and a low amount of vitamin B12 (Esnafoglu & Ozturan, 2020). Taking a well-balanced diet will reduce the chances of getting depression.

Relating with People Correctly

Humans are meant to socialize, and therefore, it is vital to have a healthy and bold relationship with others. Having quality social support may protect a person against the effects of stress. It is also useful to have various connections, besides relating with family and friends. It is good to find ways of interacting with the community and the neighbours (Baba et al., 2017). For example, it can be done by volunteering for a local organization or involving a team concentrating on a relevant hobby.

Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation techniques are activities that result in the body’s natural relaxation reaction. This method includes progressive relation, which involves firm relaxation of various muscle groups while using breathing exercises. Another method is guided imagery, where people learn to concentrate on positive images in their mind to help them feel more focused and relaxed (Gangadharan & Madani, 2018). In addition, biofeedback, which involves applying electronic tools to learn to control certain body activities like muscle tension and heart rate, is a technique for relaxation. The other one is self-hypnosis, where the main aim is to get into a relaxed, meditating-like state as a person hears a certain suggestion (Gangadharan & Madani, 2018). All these techniques are very important, and if applied, they help a lot in minimizing emotional illness.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)

This foundation is a non-profit organization that offers victims of suicide a nationwide society enriched with education, research, and support to act positively against this trending source of death. It was founded in 1987 by Herbert Hendin M.D to curb cases of suicide due to mental illnesses (Davidson et al., 2020). American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is devoted to saving lives and restoring hope to the victims of suicide. It introduces behaviour that is informed about emotional wellness by engaging in main strategies, including financing scientific research. It also involves educating the community about emotional wellness and ways to prevent suicide (Davidson et al., 2020). All these efforts are vital in reducing cases of suicide and taking care of its victim.

Impacts of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in Changing World

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has led to positive change, which is seen realized globally. The organization has attracted a staff of the scientific and clinical societies who conduct an intensive investigation on suicide and its prevention by supporting them (da Rosa et al., 2019). In addition, it has created a general policy and influencing arm by joining successfully with the state policy that exists. This move has enabled AFSP to push for rules and policies at the government, national and local levels that improve the objective for suicide prevention (da Rosa et al., 2019). This organization has also raised its funding from personal donors, including many highly motivated people involved in its Out Darkness Walks. It has also introduced local administrative divisions in all fifty nations and educated many local people about suicide and prevention methods (da Rosa et al., 2019). This achievement confirms how this organization has impacted positively to reduce mental illness globally.

Mental health is a serious problem globally, but reducing mental illness is possible if the mentioned above procedures are followed. If applied at the individual level, all these mention techniques may positively improve emotional wellness by reducing mental illness cases. Any initiative that starts individually leads to easy, effective results as everyone can manage themselves. Organizations like American Foundation for Suicide Prevention work effectively to curb suicide cases in society, hence reducing mental illness. Indeed, it’s possible to improve mental health if the personal responsibilities discussed above are followed keenly.

Al-Rousan, T., Rubenstein, L., Sieleni, B., Deol, H., & Wallace, R. B. (2017). Inside the nation’s largest mental health institution: A prevalence study in a state prison system. BMC Public Health , 17 (1), 1-9.

Baba, C., Kearns, A., McIntosh, E., Tannahill, C., & Lewsey, J. (2017). Is empowerment a route to improving mental health and wellbeing in the urban regeneration (UR) context? Urban Studies , 54 (7), 1619-1637.

da Rosa, G. S., Andrades, G. S., Caye, A., Hidalgo, M. P., de Oliveira, M. A. B., & Pilz, L. K. (2019). Thirteen Reasons Why: The impact of suicide portrayal on adolescents’ mental health. Journal of Psychiatric Research , 108 , 2-6.

Davidson, J. E., Accardi, R., Sanchez, C., Zisook, S., & Hoffman, L. A. (2020). Sustainability and outcomes of a suicide prevention program for nurses. Worldviews on Evidence‐Based Nursing , 17 (1), 24-31.

Esnafoglu, E., & Ozturan, D. D. (2020). The relationship of severity of depression with homocysteine, folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin D levels in children and adolescents. Child and Adolescent Mental Health , 25 (4), 249-255.

Gangadharan, M. P., & Madani, M. A. H. (2018). Effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation techniques on depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate nursing students. Int J Health Sci Res , 8 (2), 155-63.

González-Domínguez, S., Muñoz, M., Ausín, B., Castellanos, M. A., & Pérez-Santos, E. (2018). Age-related self-stigma of people over 65 years old: Adaptation of the internalized stigma of mental illness Scale (ISMI) for use in age-related self-stigma (IS65+) in a Spanish sample. Ageing & Mental Health , 22 (2), 250-256.

Greene, M., Ahalt, C., Stijacic-Cenzer, I., Metzger, L., & Williams, B. (2018). Older adults in jail: High rates and early onset of geriatric conditions. Health & Justice , 6 (1), 1-9.

Kilbourne, A. M., Beck, K., Spaeth‐Rublee, B., Ramanuj, P., O’Brien, R. W., Tomoyasu, N., & Pincus, H. A. (2018). Measuring and improving the quality of mental health care: A global perspective. World Psychiatry , 17 (1), 30-38.

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Essay on Mental Health

Students are often asked to write an essay on Mental Health in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Mental Health

Understanding mental health.

Mental health is as important as physical health. It refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act.

The Importance of Mental Health

Good mental health allows us to handle stress, make choices, and relate to others. It’s crucial at every stage of life, from childhood to adulthood.

Factors Affecting Mental Health

Many factors can impact mental health, including biological factors, life experiences, and family history of mental health issues.

Mental Health and Stigma

Unfortunately, there’s a stigma around mental health. People with mental health problems are often misunderstood and judged.

Mental Health Care

It’s important to seek help if you’re struggling with mental health. Therapy, medication, and self-care can all help improve mental health.

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250 Words Essay on Mental Health

Introduction.

Mental health, an often overlooked aspect of overall well-being, is as significant as physical health. It encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, affecting how we think, feel, and act.

Mental health is integral to living a balanced, fulfilling life. It influences our ability to cope with stress, relate to others, and make decisions. In the college years, mental health is especially crucial as students deal with academic pressure, social changes, and the transition into adulthood.

Challenges to Mental Health in College

College students face unique mental health challenges. The pressure to perform academically, social anxiety, and the struggle to fit into new environments can all contribute to mental health issues. These can manifest as depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and more.

The Role of Society and Institutions

Society and institutions play a substantial role in promoting mental health. By creating an environment that acknowledges mental health issues and provides support, we can help mitigate these challenges. Colleges should provide mental health resources and encourage students to seek help when needed.

Mental health is integral to our overall well-being. As we navigate through life, particularly during challenging college years, it’s essential to prioritize mental health, seek help when needed, and create environments that support mental wellness.

Packed in 152 Informative Pages

500 Words Essay on Mental Health

Mental health, a critical aspect of overall wellbeing, is often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of modern life. It’s a broad term encompassing our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, influencing our handling of stress, relationships, and decisions.

Mental health is as vital as physical health. It contributes to our cognitive functions, behavioral patterns, and emotional stability. Good mental health enhances our productivity, effectiveness, and ability to contribute to our community. Conversely, poor mental health can lead to severe complications like depression, anxiety, and even suicide.

Various factors contribute to mental health problems. Biological factors include genetics and brain chemistry. Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse, can also play a role. Additionally, family history of mental health problems can make individuals more susceptible.

Stigma and Mental Health

Stigma is a significant barrier to mental health care. It can lead to discrimination and misunderstanding, discouraging individuals from seeking help. Education is crucial to dispel myths and stereotypes, fostering a more supportive and understanding society.

Mental Health in College Students

College students are particularly vulnerable to mental health issues. They face unique challenges such as academic pressure, social struggles, and the stress of transitioning into adulthood. Colleges should prioritize mental health services, providing resources and support to students in need.

The Role of Therapy

Therapy is a powerful tool for managing mental health. It provides a safe space for individuals to express their feelings and learn coping strategies. Therapists can help identify underlying issues and develop personalized treatment plans.

Mental Health and Technology

Technology has revolutionized mental health care. Digital platforms provide access to therapy and self-help tools, making mental health resources more accessible. However, the overuse of technology can negatively impact mental health, highlighting the need for balance.

In conclusion, mental health is an integral part of our lives. It’s crucial to understand its importance, recognize the factors that affect it, and work towards reducing stigma. As society becomes more aware of mental health, we can hope for a future where mental health care is as mainstream and accepted as physical health care.

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A Helping Hand: An Essay On The Importance Of Mental Health Parity

By: Sydney Waltner

More than half of all Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness in their lifetime. But not everyone will receive the help they need. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, only forty percent of adults and fifty percent of youth receive the medical help they need. Even though mental illness is common and can affect anyone, there is still a great stigma attached. This stigma creates reluctance and shame in seeking help.  The acceptance and understanding of mental illnesses has come a far way from where it used to be, but improvements can, and should still be made. 

Mental illnesses should not be thought of any differently from physical illnesses. In fact, I believe the two are inseparable. Because the whole body is connected and interwoven, the two cannot be separated. The brain is an organ just like everything else in the body and can be hurt like everything else. When the brain is ill, it is not isolated in just the brain, but instead affects the whole body and the overall wellness. Substance abuse, self-harm, and suicide are very common and dangerous in those with mental illnesses. The stigma surrounding mental illness keeps people from getting the help they need to get better and causes them to hide their pain.   

For three years I was one of those people hiding my illness. I was quietly suffering from depression and an eating disorder. My whole day revolved around my eating disorder and hiding it from everyone. This caused a lot of sadness, anger, and loneliness. I not only hid it from others, but I also tried to hide it from myself. I tried to convince myself that nothing was wrong because I did not fully understand what was happening.  I did not know what was making me hurt myself and why I could not stop. As my weight was decreasing, my sadness and anger were quickly increasing. I became so mad and upset at everyone and everything. The stress and pressure of holding everything in caused me so much misery. If something small happened, it became too much to handle and I had to release it somehow. The only way I could think of to handle this was to hit myself and other things until I forgot about all my pain. By this time, it was impossible to hide my illness, and my family finally found out my deep secret.  They did not want to see me suffer like that and wanted to help. They tried their hardest to help, but they just did not know how to help me. They tried to get me to go see somebody and get help, but I refused. I was scared of admitting that I had a mental illness and that I needed help. I was worried that people would judge me, treat me differently, or even bully me if they found out about my mental illness. So, I refused to get any help.  I insisted that I was okay and could fix it myself. After a while of getting worse, my parents made me an appointment and told me I was going to get help. I remember crying and begging my mother to not make me go, but she did, and I am so grateful to her now.

For almost a year now I have been going to see a mental health counselor once a week. It took me a while to open up to her and tell her how I felt. But when I realized she was there for me and did not judge me, I was finally able to let her help me. Looking back now, I cannot believe how sick and miserable I was. I cannot imagine how my life would be if I had not received her help. I cannot express how grateful I am to her. She has changed my life for the better, I am so much happier and healthier now and look forward to living. 

Receiving help is the most important thing anyone can do for themselves. But unfortunately, the stigma keeps people from getting help.  Mental illness should not be something to be ashamed about or thought of differently. When mental illness is treated equally to other illnesses, more people will have the courage to get help and better their lives.

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