A healthy mental health is a crucial component of well-being. It includes a sense of hope, emotional stability and the ability to enjoy life’s positive moments. But it also means being able to handle and bounce back from disappointments, loss and other setbacks.
Many people who have a mental health challenge can find it hard to talk about what they’re going through, but it is important to do so for everyone’s benefit. By promoting open dialogue about mental health, we can help break down stigma and prejudice that often surrounds mental illness.
Mental health problems are real and impact more people than one might expect. Some of them can be very serious, interfering with work and daily activities. However, people with mental illness are not “crazy” or “out of control.” They’re just ill. Like other medical conditions, they can be treated and successfully managed with the right kind of support.
It is critical that the mental health of the population is a key focus for all sectors of society. In fact, a key part of the World Bank’s overriding strategy for helping countries accelerate progress towards universal health coverage is to ensure that mental health is included in this effort. This is because it’s clear that if people with mental health challenges are not supported, the other goals of the global development agenda cannot be achieved.
We need to take a more holistic approach to addressing the health of the mind and body. This will require that we look at a person’s whole experience, including social, cultural and environmental factors. We must also address the underlying causes of a person’s symptoms. This includes looking at a client’s current state of well-being, their history and their family’s health and support systems. This is especially true for those from minority groups who are less likely to participate in research studies (Liggins & Hatcher, 2005).
The field of mental health is a dynamic and exciting area of study. However, the funding needed to support this research is a major challenge. NAMI works with other organizations to fund grants that will help improve the lives of individuals living with mental illnesses and their families. We are nimble and can create named funds both large and small, or work with endowments specified for unique areas of neuroscience and behavioral approaches to help make a significant impact in the community, the state and beyond.
NAMI also supports and promotes the work of researchers across a range of disciplines. This includes those who study the brain science, genetics and treatment options of mental illness. These researchers have the potential to change the way we view and understand these diseases and their treatments. The goal of NAMI’s Research program is to share this new knowledge with the public. This is essential to ensuring that those who live with mental illness and their families are aware of and have access to the most up-to-date information about their symptoms, conditions and treatment options.