World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of physical and psychological wellbeing of an individual. Therefore Health, “is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being! Not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
In 2019, WHO reported that People with mental disorders experience disproportionately higher rates of disability and mortality! For example, persons with major depression and schizophrenia have a 40 to 60% greater chance of dying prematurely than the general population; owing to physical health problems that are often left unattended. Problems such as the cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, HIV infections and suicide!
For most communities, mental illness is much associated with witchcraft simply because most people have failed to distinguish between the signs and symptoms of mental health versus those that most probably come with the packaging of witchcraft related problems.
In light of this, mental illness cases may end up under the care of witchdoctors instead of being reported at the Mental Health Unit. These victims, in my opinion, receive wrong treatment because of a very wrong diagnosis. Wrong or not, the question remains! Does this solve the problem?
Mental health challenges are triggered by a number of problems and among them are the traumatic events; grief, continued hardship, addiction, unhealthy relationships and human abuse!
The signs and symptoms of mental health illness include; excessive fear, mood changes, sleeping difficulty, withdrawal into isolation, and suicidal ideation.
Mental health status of a person can be assessed basing on cognitions; perceptions of an individual towards things, behaviors of a person, physical appearance, among others.
Some of the common mental disorders include depression, bipolar, the eating, personality, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety. The diagnosis can be made by a mental health professional.
Determinants of mental health and mental disorders include not only individual attributes such as the ability to manage one’s thoughts, emotions, behaviors and interactions with others; but also, social, cultural, economic, political and environmental factors such as national policies, social protection, standards of living, working conditions, and community support. Stress, genetics, nutrition, perinatal infections and exposure to environmental hazards are also contributing factors to mental disorders.
Everyone is entitled to a healthy life. That said, I want to encourage each and every one of us to take the initiative and responsibility to care for our mental health. For the CampusWeekly, I am Ocen Daniel Comboni; till next time!
Ocen Daniel Comboni
dhan96ocomb@gmail.com
Psychological counselor.
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