Mental Health Awareness
Hello, beautiful people!
Today is the beginning of a new month, and with it, a new month topic. As equally important as the rest we have talked about, mental health awareness is essential for all of us since it’s a big part of our lives, and it contributes to every action or activity we perform throughout the day.
Many people worldwide are taught to be tough and dismiss any sign of mental health problem —or perhaps they don’t even know what the term refers to and what it does to oneself. This approach to mental health had changed over the decades when more people started to become aware of the fact that being mentally well is severely essential when it comes to delivering good results in everything we do not because we ‘have to,’ but because we want to and are happy to do it.
Sometimes, individuals may think that talking about how we are in our minds and what we are going through becomes difficult for them because they don’t understand the significance of speaking up. By doing that, they were only suppressing their symptoms, and most importantly, their feelings—a grave mistake.
However, nowadays, more people are giving it the support and promotion that mental health awareness deserves. And to help this cause, there are a few myths of mental health that are important to understand and recognize to change the perception of this vital topic. According to Newman (2020), he states some relevant myths:
Mental health problems are uncommon. As stated in his article1 in 4 people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. Perhaps some people avoid talking about it, but the truth is that many people suffer from mental health problems.
People with mental health conditions cannot work. A study about this topic, mentioned by Newman, states that 54.5% of individuals with severe conditions were employed, compared with 75.9% of people without a mental illness, 68.8% of people with mild mental illness, and 62.7% of people with moderate mental illness. So, it might be difficult for us who have a mental health condition, but we can be as productive as possible so that we are still in the game!
Mental health problems are a sign of weakness. Indeed said by Newman, and 100% supported by all of us with mental health problems: we are not weak! If not, we are even stronger fighting with the condition and still being active during the day. Although I must say, I must take a long bubbly bath at the end of the day, am I right, people?
Only people without friends need therapists. NOT TRUE! Everyone needs a therapist, whether we have none, a few, or a lot of friends; the therapist will help the person better understand himself/herself/themselves and be aware of the things, situations, and people surrounding his/her/their life.
Mental health problems are permanent. Many people experience mental health to a certain degree, whether it’s daily or per episode. But, the thing here is that there are medications that cure severe problems, and going to the therapist also helps to deal with this kind of condition. Numerous people have recovered; there’s always hope for all of us.
Mental health is many things and isn’t many other things. It’s essential for us in Dream on Youth that you are aware of mental health problems to support and promote this beautiful cause. Awareness.
Remember, in DOY, we love you and support you, always! Until the next post, people :)
References:
Luciano, A., Meara, E. (2014). Employment Status of People with mental health illness: National survey data from 2009 and 2010. Psychiatry Online, from: https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ps.201300335
Newman, T. (2020). Medical myths: mental health misconceptions. Medical News Today, from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/medical-myths-mental-health-misconceptions#6.-Mental-health-problems-are-permanent