Mental Health Awareness Week October, 2018
by Premier Hospitals | October 15, 2018 |
Our health is always of concern to us. Do we have a fever? Is our heart okay? Is our digestion alright? We keep ensuring that such problems are immediately taken care of. We also take caution to prevent accidents. We even take care of our skin and hair to keep ourselves presentable to society.
Among all these, we forget one very vital thing - our mental wellbeing. A sound mind in a sound body - is a vital truth. The opposite of that is true as well - a sound body in a sound mind. Extensive research has shown the detrimental effect of an unsound mind over the body.
This is exactly why we need to spread awareness about our mental health. And this is why, the first week of October of every year is observed as Mental Health Awareness Week.
We are aware enough to ensure that chronic mental health conditions, related to neurological disorders are addressed and appropriate medical care administered. But do we know how to nurture our mental health in our daily life?
This year, let’s talk about how to self-access our mental health and know when to approach an expert.
When should we seek advice?
Watch out for the following signs:
- Sudden or gradual loss of weight without any apparent reason
- Feeling of sadness almost throughout the day
- Loss in interest in activities which used to excite you before
- Thought of self-harm or suicide
- Subconsciously isolating yourself from the world around you
- Loss of appetite
- Extensive loss of interest in material things
- Thoughts of afterlife
If you observe that you are persistently experiencing any of these signs, you may consider consulting a psychologist.
These could be symptoms of your daily stress or an issue from your past that’s still bothering you. Such emotions, thoughts and action, undoubtedly, are harmful to your physical health and your personal well-being. On a more significant note, they can also be initial symptoms of a developing chronic mental illness such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or anxiety disorder.
What stops people from seeking advice?
In many societies, any mental health problem or acknowledging emotional weakness, is looked down upon. The best way that we can support people with mental health problems is to advise them to not confirm to the judgmental opinions of society and seek help from a counselor or a support group. Many mental illnesses are temporary but can prove to be dangerous or even life-threatening if not treated early. Similarly, many illnesses can be cured without the help of any medical drugs. All you need to do, is Consult a Psychologist. Simple therapy and counseling can relieve one from their mental distress.