In a global pandemic, it's difficult to understand why people aren't choosing to be proactive around their mental health, or why they're not at least trying to be proactive, or why it’s the last thing they think about.
In one of my earlier blogs, I talk about on our list of priorities, mental health is the last thing we think about and the first thing to go, so why is it not on people’s radar?
Ignoring Mental Health
Considering mental health has a huge impact on our quality of life, in Covid-19 why are we still continuing to ignore it and why are stigmas and stereotyping still surrounding people who suffer from mental health challenges, like it’s some sort of plague?
'Break the Stigma' Campaign
The answer is unclear, and even with campaigns like ‘Break the Stigma’ which sought to educate the public about mental health, the reality is that when it comes to mental health, it has to come down to the individual taking the initiative. It is important to have a conversation with yourself about mental health.
Good Mental Health is essential for emotional growth wellness and longevity
Although talking about mental health has had some coverage in the global pandemic, resources need to be more readily available, and mental health in schools need to become common-place. Good mental health is essential for emotional growth, wellness and longevity.
Why is Mental Health being ignored?
Why is mental health being ignored? It continues to be associated with a stigma, and it's seen as little importance, which has an outdated and fragmented service model. It is also based on a ‘luxury good’ model instead of it being associated with mental health illness.
Associated Mental Health Problems
Some of the problems associated with mental health include family conflict, substance abuse, depression, suicide, and physical health problems. In the US, there is limited access to quality mental health services, with high costs of psychotherapeutic treatments and behavioural rehabilitation, being a factor. There is also a lack of insurance coverage to help people with mental health.
More stats on Mental Health
While the reduction in good mental health of 3% from 2020 to 2021 was smaller than the 8% drop from 2019 to 2020, the proportion of people who were “distressed or struggling” increased from 26% to 30% in 2021 at the exact time, the world was dealing with a global pandemic. (Source: https://www.wellbeingport.com)
If you are struggling with mental health challenges, please ask for help. It can mean the difference between wellness and illness, and between life and death. Mental health costs lives. It is important to talk about how you feel.
There are some people who potentially seem to think we choose to be the way we are, that is what I have come across. They seem to believe that mental health issues don't exist, but they aren't the ones living in our heads.
It's ridiculous to even consider that anyone would enjoy living this way. Sadly there is still a lot of stigma around mental health issues.
I'm not 100% sure of how to change things, but I know it's something that I need to work on seeing as I do have first hand experience. Once I sort out some of my issues, I would like to do more to help others while I still have the chance.
Thanks Randy. We all deal with mental health, some of us may deal with more mental health issues than others, but mental health should never be overlooked by any of us.
Sadly, it is an invisible illness for some. As a child my mental health issues were completely overlooked, because my issues weren't obvious.
I do think there is an element of truth in your comment about some people thinking we may choose to be the way we are. But perhaps where there is a lack of understanding, or the illness isn't obvious, it's easy to put that down to something else.