Mental health is a complex concept encompassing social, emotional, and physical well-being. It affects the way people think, feel, and behave, and determines how they respond to stress, make decisions, and interact with others. For example, poor mental health can lead to suicide and depression. While many factors can affect your mental health, the following are important to consider. Read on to learn more about the importance of mental health. Listed below are three tips to help maintain your mental health.
Mental illnesses sometimes run in families. This is because genes transmit susceptibility. Experts believe that many mental illnesses are a result of abnormal genes that interact with the environment differently in every person. However, just because you inherit a susceptibility does not guarantee that you will develop the illness. For this reason, early identification is critical to ensuring a better outcome. Although there are no specific tests to diagnose mental disorders, your doctor may order a series of laboratory tests, imaging studies, bloodwork, and/or psychological evaluations. These psychological evaluations typically involve questionnaires that ask about your symptoms and how they impact your life. Most mental health specialists use the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) for diagnosis.
Another way to measure mental health is to ask yourself if you are enjoying life. A common definition of mental health is being able to enjoy the most important aspects of life. Resilience, on the other hand, refers to the ability to bounce back from adversity. People who are more resilient have positive attitudes toward life and are likely to seek social support when necessary. These traits make it easier to cope with stress and thrive despite challenges and difficulties in life.
Other factors that increase a person’s risk of mental illness include their genetic makeup and environmental conditions. Physical trauma, substance abuse, and genetics may all lead to increased risk of mental illness. Regardless of these factors, early diagnosis is the key to treatment success. By discussing your concerns with a healthcare provider, you will be able to help them better manage their condition. It is critical to seek mental health treatment and ensure a full recovery.
Lack of resources to address mental health is one of the primary reasons for unmet need. A WHO project called Project ATLAS found that mental health spending in low-income countries is lower than the burden of mental illnesses. Since mental health budgets are often low, these countries rely heavily on citizen out-of-pocket expenditure to meet their needs. If your country does not have adequate resources, you may be forced to make some changes yourself. But it is possible.
If your loved one is showing signs of a mental illness, it is important to talk to your primary care provider. Your doctor may be able to refer you to a mental health specialist. You may also want to review a fact sheet published by the National Institute of Mental Health: Tips to Discuss Mental Health with Your Health Care Provider