World Mental Health Day 2022: Mental health, is now a term that can be found in multiple social media posts, blogs and more. Recently awareness about this is increasing and much needed. The Covid 19 pandemic has brought the idea of mental health to the fore across the world. Mental health has come into focus in times of pandemic like never before as people of all age groups and professions bear the brunt of the ‘new normal’. Health and other frontline workers, students, people living alone and people with pre-existing mental health conditions are particularly affected.Also Read – World Mental Day 2022: 5 Ways To Be Mentally Strong In Life
Every year October 10 is celebrated as World Mental Health Day. This day in autumn October marks the paramount place of mental health in everyone’s life and the ever-increasing need to spread its awareness far and wide. Also Read – Mental health: How it affects our skin and hair
World Mental Health Day 2022: History, Significance and Theme
World Mental Health Day was first observed on October 10, 1992 as an annual activity of the World Federation for Mental Health. The theme for World Mental Health Day 2022 is “Mental Health in an Unequal World”. It has been officially announced by the World Federation for Mental Health. Also Read – What companies are doing to help employees cope with mental challenges
Mental health myths and facts
Recognition: If a person has a mental health condition, it means that the person has low intelligence.
Fact: Mental illness, like physical illness, can affect anyone regardless of intelligence, social class, or income level.
Recognition: You only need to take care of your mental health if you have a mental health condition.
Fact: Everyone can benefit from taking proactive steps to promote their well-being and improve their mental health. Similarly, everyone can take proactive steps to optimize their physical health and engage in healthy habits.
Recognition: Poor mental health is not a big problem for teenagers. They only have mood swings due to hormonal fluctuations and act out of a desire for attention.
Fact: Teens often have mood swings, but that doesn’t mean teens can’t also struggle with their mental health. 14 percent of the world’s adolescents experience mental-health problems. Globally, suicide is the fifth most common cause of death among 10-15 year olds, and the fourth most common cause of death among adolescents aged 15-19. Half of all mental health conditions begin by age 14.
Myth: Nothing can be done to prevent people from developing mental health conditions.
Fact: Many factors can protect people from developing mental health conditions, including strengthening social and emotional skills, seeking help and support, developing supportive, loving, warm family relationships, and having a positive school environment and healthy sleep patterns.
The ability to overcome adversity depends on a combination of protective factors, and neither environmental nor personal stressors alone will result in mental health problems. Children and adolescents who do well in the face of adversity typically have biological resilience as well as strong, supportive relationships with family, friends, and adults around them, resulting in a combination of protective factors to support well-being.
Recognition: A mental health condition is a sign of weakness; If a person were strong, he would not have this condition.
Fact: Mental health conditions have nothing to do with being weak or lacking in willpower. It is not a condition that people have or do not have. In fact, it takes a lot of strength and courage to recognize the need to accept help for a mental health condition. Anyone can develop a mental health condition.
Recognition: Teens who get good grades and have lots of friends don’t have mental health conditions because they have nothing to be depressed about.
Fact: Depression is a common mental health condition resulting from a complex interaction of social, psychological and biological factors. Depression can affect anyone regardless of their socioeconomic status or how good their life looks at face value. Young people who do well in school may feel pressure to succeed, which can cause anxiety, or they may face challenges at home. They may experience depression or anxiety for no easily identifiable reason.
Recognition: Bad parenting causes mental conditions in teenagers.
Fact: Many factors – including poverty, unemployment and violence, migration and other adverse circumstances and events – can influence the well-being and mental health of adolescents, their caregivers and the relationships between them. Adolescents from loving, supportive homes may experience mental health difficulties, as may adolescents from homes with caregivers who need support to maintain an optimal environment for healthy adolescent development. With support, caregivers can play an essential role in helping teens overcome any problems they may be experiencing.
Be kind to your mind!
