Not everyone has a full understanding of the concept of mental health or the importance of mental health in helping you deal optimally with life’s challenges.
Learn more about the importance of mental health below to better understand its implications for health and well-being.
Understanding the Importance of Mental Health
Mental health refers to how effectively you are able to use your cognitive abilities to manage all facets of daily functioning, e.g.
- Making informed decisions
- Regulating your thoughts, emotions, feelings, and behaviors
- Interacting with others, intimately and socially
- Setting and achieving goals
- Learning and working productively
Recognizing the importance of mental health is an important contributor to leading a meaningful and productive life.
What is Mental Illness?
When a condition arises that impairs your ability to function productively each day, it is referred to as a mental disorder, mental condition, or mental illness. It can affect anyone at any time, at any stage of life, and may be short-lived or chronic. The importance of mental health becomes more apparent when realizing that the influence of a mental disorder is not limited to an individual, but may spread to others, e.g. family, friends, work, and even the community.
Some mental illnesses may present as physical problems (e.g. headaches or stomach pains), while depression and anxiety can increase the risk of physical conditions (e.g. heart disease, diabetes, or stroke).
Mental disorders include:
- Anxiety disorders (including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and phobias)
- Depression (bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders)
- Eating disorders
- Psychotic disorders
- Personality disorders
Prevalence of Mental Health Issues
Mental illness is prevalent world-wide. Many of those experiencing mental illness do not seek help, largely due to stigma associated with the disorder.
The importance of mental health has been highlighted by a large-scale study covering 29 countries world-wide:
- One out of every two people in the world will develop a mental health disorder in their lifetime.
- Mental health disorders typically first emerge in childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood.
- The three most common mental health disorders among women are:
- Depression
- Specific phobia (a disabling anxiety that interferes with daily life)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- The three most common mental health disorders among men are:
- Alcohol abuse
- Depression
- Specific phobia
Mental Illness: Development and Intervention
Understanding how mental disorders arise and evolve leads to an appreciation for the importance of mental health.
They do not usually arise from a single cause but from complex interactions between biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. These are called risk factors. A mental illness can be triggered by a stressful event or develop gradually in stages.
The Phoenix Recovery Center in Utah describes mental illness as a progression through four stages:
Stage 1: Initial Symptoms (Warning Signs)
The first signs of mental illness can be difficult to recognize. Symptoms may include:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Struggling to get out of bed in the morning because of mood
- Loss of interest in things you usually find enjoyable
- Inability to perform usual daily functions and responsibilities
- Decline in school or work performance
- Worrisome thoughts, tension, insecurity
- Wanting to be alone: withdrawing from family and friends
Stage 2: Symptoms Intensify
Symptoms become more obvious and stress on the individual escalates. Resulting implications may bring more awareness to the importance of mental health.
Strategies that focus on self-care can be employed: taking time to do things that help you to increase energy, live well, and improve both physical and mental health. Even small, regular acts of self-care can have a big impact on daily functioning.
Strategies include:
- Eating a balanced diet and staying hydrated
- Taking breaks and time for yourself
- Getting a good night’s sleep
- Opening up to friends or family members who can provide emotional support and practical help
- Exercising regularly
- Practicing gratitude, i.e. reminding yourself daily of things you are grateful for
- Exploring relaxation or wellness programs, or apps
- Trying to understanding what causes or triggers mild symptoms and what coping techniques work for you – everyone is different
As the stress intensifies, individuals may be motivated to indulge in more destructive behaviors, e.g. substance abuse (alcohol/drugs), self-medication, sexual acting-out, or gambling. Seeking treatment during the first two stages is more beneficial, before symptoms start to interfere substantially with one’s life.
Stage 3: Symptoms Disrupt Daily Life
The symptoms of mental illness occur repeatedly and start to become so severe that the individual is no longer able to function effectively. Without treatment or intervention, there is a danger that the disorder can become damaging in the long-term.
Stage 4: Presence of Severe Symptoms
This is the most severe stage, when an individual’s mental illness can become life-threatening. Moreover, this is a stage when the person is most likely to cause self-harm (e.g. suicide) and display aggression towards others.
Seeking help at this stage is imperative and can be life-saving. It is never too late to seek treatment.
Nurturing Good Mental Health
Maintaining good mental health can have a protective effecton one’s general wellbeing – underscoring the importance of mental health. More specifically, good mental health not only reduces the risk of mental illness, but may also result in more favorable outcomes, if and when treatment is sought.