MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND SELF CARE

12 November 2020

During the current pandemic, the conversation of mental health has become part of our daily lives. The world has changed dramatically due to massive unemployment rates, lack of social interactions and higher pressure at the work. To make matters worse, countries fail to acknowledge the looming mental health crisis, making it harder for people to get the resources they need. Because of this, higher anxiety and depression rates have been reported.

It is important to note the difference between overall mental health and Mental Health Disorder. Mental health is about our stae of mind and wellness. This can include our emotions, thoughts and feelings, and our ability to cope with things. Mental Health Disorder is an illness that can effect the way people thinking, feel, behave or interact with others such as private relationship, family and environment. So it can affect a person’s state of mind drastically (for further information read: What is the Different Between Mental Health and Mental Illness). Here, we will discuss the types of Mental Disorders/Illnesses and the importance of self-care.

I. Some Types of Mental Health Disorders/Illnesses:

a. Anxiety: The most common symptoms of axiety is panic attacks.

b. Behavioural and Emotional Disorder: The condition which is impact some childern such as extremely difficult behaviors that are outside the norm of their age.

c. Bipolar: Extreme low and high mood.

d. Depression: Sadness and loss of interest feeling which continuously happens so you can not do your normal activities.

e. Dissociation and dissociative: Disconnecting of thoughts, feelings, memories or sense identity.

f. Eating Disorder: can stem from body dissatisfaction and depression.

g. Obsessive Compulsive: Characterised by compulsions and obsessions.

h. Paranoia: Persistent feeling and irrational.

i. Post Traumatic Stress: Vivid memories, feeling constantly on edge and avoiding reminders of a traumatic event.

The common mental disorder are depression and anxiety, further information you can read: Mental Health Disorder and Types of Mental Health Issues and Illness.

II. Recommendation for Practical Self-Care:

a. Meditation

b. Exercise such as yoga

c. Engage in a hobby

d. Get enough sleep

e. Journaling

f. Engage with friends and family

g. Get out for walking

h. Trying to keep the phone aside for a bit (such as in 1 week)

i. Eat good foods to reduce stress such as chocolate, ice cream and so on

j. If you can afford it, there is always the option to seek help in forms of therapy or professional treatment.

Closing:

Any activity that is deliberately performed or is self-initiated in order to take care of our mental, physical and emotional health brings us one step closer to a healthier mental state. We must be mindful of your own needs. It can encourage you to maintain a better relationship with your environment, gives your time and body to reset, and reduces stress and anxiety. This will help your productivity and allow you to spread positivity amongst people you surround yourself with. During the COVID-19 panedemic, you have to constantly check in on your mental heath and try doing things that make you happy, if you are able to.

References:

Better Health Vhannel. 2015. Types of Mental Health Issues and Illness. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ServicesAndSupport/types-of-mental-health-issues-and-illnesses.

Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division. 2015. What’s Difference Between Mental Health and Mental Illness. https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/q-and-a/whats-the-difference-between-mental-health-and-mental-illness.

Mental Health Foundation. 2020. What Are Mental Health Problems?. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health/about-mental-health/what-are-mental-health-problems

World Health Organization. 2019. Mental Disorder. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders.

Writer: Arta Anindita & Tamanna

Editor: Gabrielle & Angelique Pompee

Picture: Gabrielle