Mental Health Insight

Mental health is a very important topic that isn’t talked about a lot. Many people around the world face mental health issues. According to the World Health Organization, one in four people will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their life. This means about 450 million people are currently suffering from such conditions. Although treatments are available nearly two-thirds of those with a known mental disorder don’t get the help they need. People stay silent, they hide what they are going through from the world and that can be damaging. The following painting was made by artist Robert Carter. Because I witnessed a family member struggle with depression, I know how hard it is to describe the constant pain and darkness they may feel inside themselves. I find that paintings and poems help others who are not struggling see and understand a glimpse of their world. 

Conditions

There are over 200 mental illnesses. They can vary from mild to severe. The most common mental illnesses are: clinical depression, anxiety disorder, bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, and dementia. All of these conditions and many more. Symptoms for a mental health disorder can be both physical and emotional. Mental illnesses can also be inherited. The most common inherited disorders are autism, ADHD, clinical depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.  These conditions can have a variety of effects on the person and those around him or her. There are a significant amount of negative impacts that come with a poor mental health. These effects can vary depending on the illness. People can potentially die due to the lack of stability in their health. Other effects include: a shorter life expectancy, heart disease, decrease in quality of personal relationships, the persons daily life and so much more.

How mental health is viewed

Some people in society view mental illness as a personal failure rather than a real medical condition. Those who think this way believe that it’s something you can get over by simply being more positive instead of seeking medical treatment. People with those views need to know that people with a mental illness can’t change the way they feel just by thinking more positively; in order to get better they need professional help. You can think positive, but you won’t necessarily be happier or be better. Some people don’t realize that mental illnesses aren’t just depression and anxiety. Mental illnesses can beThere are many other illnesses that aren’t talked about as much as they should be. These disorders and illnesses include: borderline personality disorder, C-TPSD, DID, many eating disorders( anorexia, bulimia, purging), agoraphobia, and selective mutism. “…people with anorexia who are males may be overlooked.”- The Mighty. Society needs to open their eyes and realize that there are many other illnesses that aren’t getting the recognition that they need. People with these disorders are being overlooked or shrugged off and sometimes claimed that they are doing it for attention. There is so much going on in someone’s mind that isn’t just “I want attention.” No one who has a mental illness wants to have it. If someone tells you something is wrong or tells you they don’t know how to deal with whatever it is they’re going through don’t ask if they’re doing it for attention. Instead try to understand what it is they’re going through and try to help them. Another very important thing you should do is tell an adult. It may seem wrong and the person may even tell you not to tell anyone but its not in fact its the best thing you can do for that person. This way the adult can help him or her get the help they need. Most often people stay silent about their mental health, often times it’ll get worse overtime. Even though these issues can be solved, most people don’t get the help they need. As previously said often times people stay silent about the condition of their mental health. If you know someone that is dealing with a mental health issue speak up now before it’s too late.