What does mental health mean to you? Why should we look after our mental health? Is mental health important? Do the aforementioned questions seem familiar to you? Perhaps, you have pondered over them at some point in time. If you haven’t, take this time to ponder over them as you read this article!
Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It influences many aspects of our lives, including the way we think, feel, act, manage stressors, as well as our interpersonal relations and choices. Hence, it is an essential component of life. “There is no health without mental health” – As proposed by the World Health Organisation, health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not the mere absence of illnesses. Mental health is important at every stage of our life. An individual who possesses mental wellness is positive, emotionally resilient, possesses control over their lives, and have good interpersonal relationships. Of course, mental wellness is not a checkpoint, but a journey that requires time and effort!
Unfortunately, among us, there are individuals who face mental health struggles. Mental illnesses result from a multitude of reasons, including biological factors such as brain chemistry and genetics, or unhealthy life experiences such as childhood abuse or trauma. Common mental health concerns in Singapore are Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Alcohol Abuse. Persons with Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) worry excessively over daily events that pose no evident danger or reasons for concern. Next, Depression is a mood disorder characterised by a prolonged and intense period of low mood, sadness, and hopelessness. These individuals may lose interest in activities which were once enjoyed. A similar disorder is Bipolar Disorder, which manifests itself in terms of elements of mania and depression, where mania refers to periods of elevated euphoria. OCD typically involves an obsession, compulsion, or both. Obsessions are recurrent and persistent intrusive thoughts or urges marked by anxiety. Individuals then attempt to suppress them with compulsions, which are repetitive behaviours or mental acts that the individual feels driven to perform to reduce the distress brought by their obsessions.
Mental illnesses can severely interfere with a person’s way of life. For example, their productivity at work or school will be affected, and changes in eating and sleeping patterns may also surface. Mental illnesses are increasingly prevalent in Singapore, with 1 in 7 people suffering from a form of mental illness. If you suspect that someone around you might be struggling with their mental health, do encourage them to seek help early!
Now, what are some of the steps we can take for our journey towards mental wellness?
Maintain a healthy lifestyle – exercise, take balanced and regular meals, sleep at least 8 hours everyday
Practice self-care
Pay attention to your needs and feelings
Accept yourself for who you are
Volunteer for a cause
Set SMART goals – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-limited
Connect with others
Avoid alcohol, drugs, and smoking
Remember, no one is responsible for your own mental wellness other than you yourself, so let’s work together towards achieving mental wellness!
References:
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health
https://www.psycom.net/depression-definition-dsm-5-diagnostic-criteria/
https://www.samhealth.org.sg/understanding-mental-health/what-is-mental-wellness/
https://www.imh.com.sg/wellness/page.aspx?id=356
http://beyondocd.org/information-for-individuals/clinical-definition-of-ocd
https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/generalized-anxiety-disorder#1
https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2019/04/17/what-is-the-state-of-mental-health-in-singapore/