Importance of Mental Health Awareness

Conditions that require Awareness

Mental health awareness helps people to understand that they are not struggling alone, and that treatment is accessible, and it can help them. It also removes the stigma attached to mental disorders, allowing people to talk more openly about their issues and actively seek help for their problems. Here are some conditions that require better awareness:

● PTSD

● Substance and alcohol abuse

● Anxiety

● Depression

● Suicidal thoughts

● Bipolar disorder

● Schizophrenia

These illnesses have varied symptoms but affect both your own life and the lives of your loved ones. Such disorders can impair your personal, social, and professional skills. People with issues like depression and anxiety may not know how to seek help and could resort to unhealthy and dangerous coping mechanisms. One untreated mental illness may also put you at a risk of developing a co-occurring mental illness that can greatly worsen your situation.

Why is it Important?

There is a stigma attached to mental disorders that prevents people from openly seeking help. People suffering from mental illness are often ostracised, discriminated against, and ridiculed. Raising awareness about mental health conditions like depression and anxiety lets people know that they are not alone, and that help is available. It also encourages people to openly seek help and get timely treatment. Here are the ways in which raising awareness helps:

1. It helps affected people understand their symptoms :

Many people may not even realise that they are experiencing symptoms of untreated mental disorders. Talking about mental health issues lets people know and understand their symptoms and seek early treatment. Some of the signs to look out for include-

● Sudden appetite loss

● Sleeplessness or too much sleep

● Suicidal thoughts

● Substance or alcohol abuse, and

● Impulsive or careless decisions

If you or your loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek immediate treatment from a mental healthcare professional.

2. It helps people get access to more mental health resources and treatment :

People affected by mental illness may not know where they can seek treatment. Raising awareness helps them get access to more mental health resources like hospitals specialising in mental health treatment, behavioural health programs, 12-step addiction treatment programs, inpatient treatment for mental illness, medical help for drug and alcohol abuse, etc. With these resources, you can learn how to maintain your mental health post treatment, prevent co-occurring disorders, and get access to crisis helplines that can keep you safe.

3. It helps break the stigma associated with mental illness :

Raising awareness can break the stigma associated with getting mental health treatment. It ensures that affected individuals are not ridiculed or discriminated against, and that they have proper support. It also ensures that people with mental disorders do not experience any human rights violations.

Ways to Raise Awareness for Mental Health

Here are some effective ways:

1. Talk about it on social media :

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc. are the best forums to talk about mental health and encourage people to be open-minded and positive about matters of mental health.

2. Educate and Share :

Educate yourself and others about mental health. Share what you have learned on a blog or social media. Encourage people to use kind and positive language when talking about mental illnesses like depression and anxiety.

3. Be open about your experience :

If you have struggled with a mental illness and overcome it, share it on various forums so that other people affected by similar illnesses will be inspired to seek help.

4. Volunteer :

Volunteer with mental health organisations and help them organise mental health screening events or free counselling events.

5. Socialize and Talk to People Around :

Speak to your loved ones and friends. Ask them how they are really doing and suggest counselling or treatment if you sense that they are showing signs of mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.