Mental health is important; however, people pay little attention or do not understand it. Progressively, the culture of mental health is changing. However, misconceptions about mental illnesses and how they impact a person’s life are still dominant. This article will explore five fascinating mental health facts that may question some of the assumptions many may have regarding these disorders. These facts can bring useful information, no matter whether you are looking into the subject of mental disorders or want to help others broaden their views.
1. Mental Illness Is More Common Than You Think
The first interesting mental health fact is that these disorders are immensely present all over the world. Approximately one adult in every twenty adults in the United States has a mental disorder in any one year. This all means that mental health problems are much more common than people can imagine. However, most people experience silence and solitude because of the negative perception associated with mental health. People do not feel safe or comfortable talking about what they go through because of the stigma.
Some of the stigmas stem from the fact that most people believe that one in a million people suffer from mental health conditions without knowing it’s much more common than that. Mental health problems are and can happen to any person regardless of age, social class, or race. Children and teenagers are specifically at higher risk in today’s time and age. Every one in six children between the ages of six and 17 has had a mental disorder in the year. Due to so many people being affected, there should be much more emphasis on finding all those affected to seek professional help and encourage people and society to be more understanding and explain these issues.
2. Mental Health Conditions Affect Physical Health Too
It is possible that people still are unaware of the correlation between the state of mind and the state of the body. Mental health conditions like depression or anxiety increase the chance of developing other illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. The mind and body relationship is strongly connected, and if any condition in the mind goes untreated, it may cause physical symptoms to arise. Anxiety and depression can both make you feel flu-like symptoms if left untreated, for instance.
For instance, depression is associated with heart disease, and anxiety disorders lead to heart problems, high blood pressure, and weakened immunity, among other things. People who are suffering from mental health issues might develop chronic stress, which can lead to inflammation in the body and put you at a greater risk of getting arthritis and autoimmune diseases. Managing your symptoms is necessary when these could happen in the long run.
3. Suicide is a Leading Cause of Death Among Young People
One chilling fact about mental health is a dramatically increasing suicide rate and, more so, youth suicides. Consequently, more minorities will continue to do this, with suicide being the second cause of death among people 10-34 years old in the United States. Even with the increasing awareness, more people are still doing this, and those who do often have mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder.
The pandemic has only worsened the situation with social isolation, unemployment, decreased income, and increased pressure on the nervous system. This leads to a drastic increase in suicidal tendencies – especially among teenagers and young people. Many youths may not have the tools and or the ability to deal with these paralyzing emotions or anyone to turn to. Unfortunately, this makes it seem like this is their only recourse.
4. Mental Health Treatment Can Be Highly Effective
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other psychotherapies have been for a long time identified as having very good efficacy for disorders like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Some people find that the use of antidepressants and mood stabilizers benefits them and their day-to-day lives. Some may find that therapy works for them and maybe even support groups. Further, finding coping skills that work for you may be beneficial to managing your symptoms.
As a rule, using individual therapy, medications, and recommendations for physical and psychological health, the individual can experience considerable quality of life enhancement. The thing to understand is that there is no one way to treat mental health issues; it is individualized. One must figure out what works best for them and stick to it because consistency is key regardless of whether you are trying medication, therapy, or coping skills.
5. Stigma Around Mental Health Still Persists
While more and more people seem to be willing to talk about mental health, stigma continues to be a major issue for many. Individuals who struggle with this are considered as being of poor health, incompetent, and may be regarded as a danger to society. This is why society’s skewed perception keeps people with mental illness away from seeking help. For instance, over one-half of patients who have mental health disorders never get an opportunity to see a doctor because they are afraid of prejudices or stigmatization.
This mentality remains rooted firmly in our everyday culture, but positive changes are happening. It is much easier to seek help if others in similar positions go through similar situations. However, in places like workplaces, people feel that if they speak out, they stand to lose a promotion, or people will shun them because they have a mental illness. The more people talk about their struggles, the more normalized it becomes, and the stigma will go away.
Final Thoughts
Mental health is still not well understood, but these five fun facts demonstrate just how important it is to address mental health and to help those who are suffering. Depression and anxiety are so common in individuals, but people still cannot get the help they require since there is so much stigma. One can build a better world by dismantling these stigmas and realizing that many connections exist between the mind and the body. For anyone who feels like they are trapped in a dark, endless pit, remember that recovery and relief are possible.
Disclaimer: This article is intended simply to provide information. It does not replace the medical advice of a physician or other medical professional. Please speak with your doctor or therapist if you have any questions or concerns.
