Importance of Mental Health Awareness

In 1954, the WHO (world health organization) declared that “without mental health, there can be no physical health.” 60 years later, the scenario hasn’t changed substantially. Still, 14% of the global burden of disease is attributed to neuropsychiatric disorders and other mental illnesses. But the main question is why?
The answer is;
People don’t prioritize mental health and its awareness. They don’t understand that mental and physical health are two sides of the same coin. Henceforth, mental illness is as critical as physical illness and they both have the same impact on our lives.

And therefore, people need to be aware of the need and importance of mental health. This is how the concept of Mental Health Awareness, comes in.

Need for Mental health Awareness

People with mental health illness should be aware of what they are going through. It helps to determine how we handle stress, empathize, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Over the course of our lives, if we experience mental health problems, our thoughts, mood, and behavior get affected. So mental health awareness helps us control these situations. It helps us to think about mental health with an open mind.

It is necessary because;

1. A person’s mental health determines if they are going to live a healthy or unhealthy life. However, you can decide for yourself by having that awareness of what is happening to you mentally. This helps you to decide on how to cure it, to make good choices for yourself and your health, which finally leads you towards a healthy life.
2. The mental health of a person is interlinked with their physical health. Poor physical health can lead to an increased risk of mental health problems. Inversely, poor mental health negatively impacts one’s physical health. So mental health awareness helps you to take good care of yourself mentally as well as physically.

When did mental health awareness start?

As mental health is one of the most important components in our life, our first question in our journal should be, how did the mental health awareness begin?

People suffering from mental illness can have some symptoms or effects which indicates that they need counseling or therapy. But in earlier times, it was not the case.

They didn’t know that things such as mental health exists. In 1843, it was first mentioned in an English literature book named Mental Hygiene. The book’s main objective was “healthy mental and physical development of a citizen” which was afterward included in the draft law submitted to the Berlin society of physicians and surgeons.

Afterward, in 1948, the WHO (world health organization) was created and in the same year, the first International Congress on mental health awareness took place in London.

A law was drafted, for society to be aware of it and there were subjects involved in the studies for mental health. Henceforth, making mental health counseling and therapy a profession and creating more awareness about it.

Evolution with time

Mental illnesses affect 19% of the adult population, 46% of teenagers, and 13% of children each year. This means that people affected by mental illnesses might be living in your neighborhood, might be your family, or might be teaching your children. However, only a few of them receive proper treatment.

A larger portion of society suffers from the same consciousness and hence suffers the same mental state. So, it can be said that with time, mental health awareness has increased but still lacks the accessibility of professionals.

This could be because the people who are suffering from mental illnesses are afraid of being judged as psychotic or lunatic by society. Hence, are afraid to seek help. They might suffer from anxiety attacks or other severe symptoms, but they just keep these problems to themselves which makes it more dangerous.

So, whenever you feel depressed, anxious, or distressed, please reach out. There are plenty of counselors and therapists to help you.

And we are here to help you. To provide you with sessions if you cannot find one.
So if you feel anything, reach out to us!
We are here for you, we are here to help!

(Written by Sanjam and Muskan)