We all know how important it is to have a fit and healthy body. We exercise, adopt a nutrition-rich diet, and indulge in physical activities to be healthy and active. But how many of us pay as much attention to our mental health? Most of us don’t. According to WHO, one in four people in the world are affected by mental disorders at some point in their lives, and approximately 450 million people are currently suffering from mental health conditions.
Just as physical fitness helps our bodies stay healthy, mental fitness helps us cope with stress and improve our quality of life. Despite this fact, most of us tend to take our mental wellbeing for granted. We ignore the importance of our emotional and psychological health, which in turn impacts how we think, feel, and behave.
Mental health is fundamental to leading a healthy and balanced life. But a lot of times, misconceptions and half-baked information lead us to make mistakes that can have a lasting impact. Here are a few lesser-known facts about mental health that you should know.
Mental health issues don’t just vanish
Many times, we fail to identify mental disorders correctly. We treat it as “a low phase” and convince ourselves to sleep it off, or just wait for it to go away on its own. That is where we make the first and the gravest mistake. Mental disorders don’t just go away. They need to be acknowledged and dealt with in a benevolent manner and the best way to do so would be to seek professional help.
People with mental illness are not a threat
For a lot of people, interacting with someone suffering from mental illness can be overwhelming. A mentally disturbed person is often seen as a threat since people generally associate mental disorders with aggressive behaviour. Such is not the case. According to the Association (APA), only 7.5 percent of crimes are related to any form of mental illness. Normally, those who suffer from mental illnesses are the ones who end up as victims. Instead of perceiving them as a threat, we should try and remove the stigma around mental issues.
No, mental health disorders do not disappear on their own. They require acknowledgement and appropriate treatment.
People with mental illness are not inherently dangerous or aggressive. The perception that mental disorders are associated with violent behaviour is a misconception.
What we eat can impact our mental wellbeing. Research suggests that a well-balanced and nutritious diet can reduce mood fluctuations and hyperactivity.
Mental illness can begin in pre-teens and teenagers, affecting their adult lives. Early treatment is crucial to ensure a healthy future for young individuals.
Comments