Mental health is a key determinant of well-being and how people interact with others. It affects everything from cognition to perception and behavior. Having positive mental health means having the ability to cope with stress, manage challenges, and maintain relationships. It also means having a sense of self-worth and happiness.
In the workplace, strong employee mental health translates to high productivity and positive customer service. A person with a healthy state of mind can be more creative, and they will have a higher degree of self-worth and satisfaction in their work.
Businesses that value their employees’ mental health often benefit from improved profits and a stronger business culture. Behavioral health programs help workers learn to deal with problems better, and these programs can also encourage them to talk about their concerns. In addition, employers who promote these programs are more likely to hire and retain good employees.
Companies that care about their employees’ mental health often have senior managers who take ownership of the programs and monitor them regularly. They can serve as role models and be a source of support to employees.
While it is critical to provide mental health services in the workplace, it is even more important to create a culture where employees are not afraid to speak up and report their mental health issues. This is because the stigma associated with mental illness can prevent patients from seeking treatment and in turn, from achieving full recovery.
There are many different kinds of mental illnesses and a wide range of treatment options. For example, people with schizophrenia can be treated by medication and a social support network. Other people with depression can get help by talking to a psychiatrist or other trained professional.
The right combination of treatments can give a person the tools they need to live life in a way that works for them. Getting treatment early can help a person feel more in control of their situation and start working toward recovery.
In the United States, about 2 percent of the population suffers from serious mental illness and more than 7.4 percent are affected by a less severe disorder. Most people with serious illnesses find a way to live productive lives and to contribute to society.
It is critical to ensure that every person with a serious illness has access to effective treatment. This includes ensuring that they receive care in a timely manner, and that the treatment is based on scientifically proven methods that have a good chance of success.
To achieve this, countries need to develop the capacity of their public and private health systems and their civil society organisations to improve their responses to mental illness. These include implementing effective prevention and treatment strategies; strengthening the legal protection of people with psychosocial disabilities and their human rights; and enhancing research and development in this field.
The World Health Organization describes mental health as a “state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with normal stresses, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to his or her community.” In order to achieve this, global efforts need to be coordinated and focused on three major areas: prevention, treatment, and recovery.