Mental health holds importance to me because I have personally seen how it affects people’s lives. These personal experiences taught me how important it is to discuss mental health, break down associated stigma, and provide support to those who need it. The mental health struggles of my stepbrother, who battled depression and bipolar disorder, showed me the reality of mental illness. During his struggles, he revealed to me his feelings of worthlessness while expressing his wish to leave this world.
Mental health became my project focus because promoting awareness about mental health and creating opportunities for honest discussions is needed in the world to show its importance.
Although concern about mental health has been around for thousands of years now, it has received much widespread attention. In the past, people with mental illness were not well understood and therefore were stigmatized and received inadequate treatment.
My stepbrother James avoided taking his medications by flushing his pills into the toilet because he believed the medications would not help him. He avoided therapy appointments because he feared criticism and refused to face the hidden pain inside him.
After sharing his experiences and liberating the accumulated trauma, he gained enough courage to express himself, which led to healing his life. My mother’s treatment phases brought her anxiety-related discomfort, but she eventually learned to trust her doctors and followed their recommendations, which led to better mental and emotional health.
Some important factors are the first signs of mental health disorders, the reasons why people do not seek help, the risks of self-medicating with drugs, and how society can positively help those with mental health problems.
During the initial phases of recognizing mental health, difficulties people may exhibit small symptoms like ongoing sadness, irritability, and withdrawal behaviors, which others commonly ignore, like I stated with my brother. These problems tend to worsen over time until they produce serious emotional struggles, functional impairment, and crisis situations when treatment is not sought out.
Something that people commonly ignore is that mental health exists in a deep interconnection with physical health. Currently, much has been learned about the role of mental health in general health and well-being. People commonly ignore that untreated mental health conditions produce physical symptoms, including headaches, digestive problems, chronic fatigue, and a weakened immune system. The relationship between physical health problems and mental distress exists in a reciprocal manner. The connection between physical and mental health requires a holistic wellness strategy that maintains both body and mind health to reach complete well-being.
Substance abuse is one of, or if not, the most dangerous way people deal with their mental health problems. Alcohol, prescription medication, and narcotic substances are consumed to block pain, escape the real world, or to treat themselves. However, this only makes the mental health condition worse, causing addiction, financial problems, broken relationships, and even death from overdose. Instead of using drugs to solve problems, people should look for professional therapy, peer support, and other positive coping mechanisms.
