Are You One In A Billion? Mental Health Awareness

Written by: Dominus Owen Markham, Executive Contributor

Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.

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Mental health disorders affect nearly 1 billion people globally, according to WHO, that’s nearly 1 in every 8 people, worldwide. Realistically the figures are most likely far more significant than this due to the societal disapproval, discrimination and stigma of mental health conditions.

Of the categories of mental disorders, anxiety and depressive disorders are the most common, depression being one of the leading causes of disability. Other common mental health conditions include bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders.

Depression alone is estimated to affect 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men, annually.

Mental health problems can have a wide range of causes. It's likely that for many people there is a complicated combination of factors – although different people may be more deeply affected by certain things than others. For example, the following factors could potentially result in a period of poor mental health:

• Childhood abuse, trauma, or neglect

• Social isolation or loneliness

• Experiencing discrimination and stigma, including racism

• Social disadvantage, poverty or debt

• Bereavement (losing someone close to you)

• Severe or long-term stress

• Having a long-term physical health condition

• Unemployment or losing your job

• Homelessness or poor housing

• Being a long-term carer for someone

• Drug and alcohol misuse

• Domestic violence, bullying or other abuse as an adult

• Significant trauma as an adult, such as military combat, being involved in a serious incident in which you feared for your life, or being the victim of a violent crime
  

Although lifestyle factors including work, diet, drugs and lack of sleep can all affect your mental health, if you experience a mental health problem there are usually other factors as well.

There are many common misconceptions about mental illness. Here are some of them:

• Mental illness is a sign of weakness.

• People with mental illness are violent.

• Mental illness is caused by personal weakness or character flaws.

• Mental illness is caused by bad parenting.

• Mental illness is a choice.

• People with mental illness can just snap out of it.

• Mental illness is rare.

• Mental illness is not treatable.
  

However, these are not true. Mental disorders are not a sign of a weakness. People with mental illness are not more violent than people without mental illness. Mental illness does not stem from personal weakness or character flaws. Nor is it the result of bad parenting. It's not a life choice. People with mental illness can't just “snap out of it”. Mental health conditions are certainly not rare. And mental health disorders ARE treatable.

Whilst every person and their response to treatment may vary vastly, there are many treatments for mental health disorders. The most common treatments are talking therapies and medication. Talking therapies provide a regular time and space for you to talk about your thoughts and experiences and explore difficult feelings with a trained professional. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of talking therapy that is often used to treat anxiety and depression. Medication can also be used to treat mental health disorders. Antidepressants are mostly prescribed for people experiencing depression. Antipsychotics may be prescribed to reduce distressing symptoms of psychosis, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder. Sleeping pills and minor tranquillisers can be used to treat anxiety disorders.

It's important to note that not all treatments work for everyone. It may take some time to find the right treatment for you.

The biggest take away here is raising awareness about mental health both on a personal level and globally.

• Talk about it. One of the most important things you can do is talk about mental health. This helps to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health problems and encourages people to seek help when they need it.

• Educate yourself. Learn more about mental health and the different types of mental health problems that exist.

• Share your story. Sharing your own experiences with mental health can help others feel less alone and encourage them to seek help.

• Support others. If someone you know is struggling with their mental health, offer your support and encourage them to seek help.

• Get involved in mental health campaigns. There are many campaigns that aim to raise awareness about mental health and reduce the stigma surrounding it.

• Take care of your own mental health. Looking after your own mental health is important too. Make sure you take time for yourself and do things that make you feel good.

• Encourage physical health. Exercise and healthy eating can help improve your mood and reduce stress. ³

• Organise a mental health awareness week or event.

• Use social media to raise awareness.

• Encourage people to seek professional help when needed.
  

Finally, if you are 1 in a Billion, or know someone that is, seek assistance and know that you literally are not alone.

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Dominus Owen Markham, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine

Dominus Owen Markham is a Copywriter, Start up Business Coach and Entrepreneur. He comes from a family with a military background and has served himself in the Royal Air Force. He has experience in high turnover business, both on and offline, at a Senior Level. He is the owner and creator of several online resources which promote, specifically, assisting start-up businesses. He makes his Copywriting services available through WeCopyWrite.com. His Mission: Help People Grow The Seed Of Business Ideas.

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Sources:

1. Nearly one billion people have a mental disorder: WHO. https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/06/1120682

2. Mental illness: is there really a global epidemic? – The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jun/03/mental-illness-is-there-really-a-global-epidemic

3. Mental disorders –World Health Organization (WHO). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders.

4. Depression – World Health Organization (WHO). https://www.who.int/health-topics/depression.

5. Mental health stigma: Definition, examples, effects, and tips. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/mental-health-stigma

6. Mental Health Disorders: Types, Diagnosis & Treatment Options. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22295-mental-health-disorders

7. Mental health awareness: The importance of conversation – BetterUp. https://www.betterup.com/blog/mental-health-awareness