Mental health means when a person is mentally healthy. What we mean by healthy? It means when we don’t have any illness. It is not same with mental health. Mentally healthy means, when there is presence of mental well-being and absence of mental illness.
What is Mental health?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
Contents
Definition of Health
World Health Organization (WHO) – ‘Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity’.
Definition of Mental Health
American Psychological Association (APA) defined – ‘Mental health is a state of mind characterized by emotional well-being, good behavioral adjustment, relative freedom from anxiety and disabling symptoms, and a capacity to establish constructive relationships and cope with the ordinary demands and stresses of life.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), “Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.”
Mental Health Statistics of India
According to a study conducted by National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) from 2014 to 2016.
1. 10% of population suffers from common mental disorders.
2. 1.9% suffer from severe mental health disorders.
3. 13.7% of Indian Population will least once in their lifetime be diagnosed with a mental disorder.
Burden of mental health problems in India
WHO estimates that the burden of mental health problems in India is 2443 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 100 00 population; the age-adjusted suicide rate per 100 000 population is 21.1. The economic loss due to mental health conditions, between 2012-2030, is estimated at USD 1.03 trillion.
Early Warning Signs of Mental health Problems
Not sure if you or someone you know is living with mental health problems? Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign of a problem:
- Eating or sleeping too much or too little
- Pulling away from people and usual activities
- Having low or no energy
- Feeling numb or like nothing matters
- Having unexplained aches and pains
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
- Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
- Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
- Having persistent thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head
- Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
- Thinking of harming yourself or others
- Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school
Few common Mental Health Illnesses
- Phobia- Extreme fear
- Anxiety Disorders
- Depression
- Eating disorders.
- Personality disorders.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Panic disorder,
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
8 Principles to achieve optimum Mental Health
Mental Health Helpline
In India 080 – 4611 0007 (NIMHANS- 24 x 7 toll free helpline)
Kiran: 1800-599-0019. A national 24/7 toll free helpline launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, India.
Suicide Prevention Helplines
Man-Samvad helpline by Sassoon Hospital 020-26127331
Connecting NGO Distress Helpline 9922004305 / 9922001122
References
American Psychological Association (APA)
World Health Organization (WHO)
Dan Banos, Clinical Psychologists gave 8 Principles are as follows.