This year as we celebrate World Mental Health day on 10th Oct 2020, the theme is mental health for all.
This is a great objective to aspire towards and I applaud all the efforts that have been and continue to be put in place to promote mental health.
What is mental health, one might ask? It is the aspect of life that attends to our psychological, emotional and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel and act. These aspects of life are critical for the overall well-being of an individual and its therefore true that an individual’s mental health is key to ensuring their overall health. Mental health is pervasive and is important across all stages of life from conception through to death.
Similar to physical health, mental health is affected by various factors. Some of these factors include history of mental illness in the family. If there is history of a mental illness in the family the risk of one developing a mental illness is elevated relative to the general population. Its important to note that its not deterministic, it’s a case of increased probability.
Biological factors such as genes and brain chemistry, injury to the brain, elevated chronic distress from serious and/or chronic illnesses, prenatal injury due to physical trauma, exposure to toxins such as use of some medications, use of psychotropic drugs like cocaine and marijuana, use of alcohol and even elevated chronic stress of the expectant woman. Any of these prenatal factors usually trigger changes in the development of the brain of the developing fetus thereby resulting in elevated risks for mental illness after birth.
Environmental factors are also very key in determining an individual’s mental health. Elements in the environment that could result in negative mental health include toxins like nuclear elements, mercury or other heavy metals at elevated levels being ingested and/or absorbed by individuals. Other environmental factors include all forms of abuse viz physical, verbal, sexual or neglect. Exposure to traumatic events all of which one can experience across the lifespan can also lead to negative mental health. Examples of traumatic events include war, natural calamities, serious accidents, sudden or violent death. Its worth noting that as we consider an individual for mental health assessments, we also look at their past and current environments.
Mental ill health manifests in an array of symptoms in the areas of behavior, emotional expression and even thought processes. In many ways, a number of those who may be mentally ill are often unaware that they are unwell. It is also true in many instances that those around the individuals who are mentally ill, may not realize that this is the case. There are many situations in which individuals with mental illness are considered to be socially inappropriate and even irresponsible in their actions. Those observing in such instances expect that such individuals should know better and by being asked to change, they can and should do so accordingly. Unfortunately, for most of the mental illnesses, disorders and challenges, no effective and sustainable changes are achieved without specific interventions with the help of mental health professionals. People with mental health problems can get better and many recover completely.
To help achieve the objective of mental health for all, its important to appreciate that mental ill health occurs across the lifespan and it does not discriminate on age, gender or socio-economic status. An awareness of signs and symptoms, an abundance of empathy for those exhibiting the symptoms and the promotion of timely intervention to prevent and treat mental ill health will go a long way in promoting mental health for all.
By Mackrine Abukah