Sheryl Garriques-Lloyd | There’s no good health without mental health

World Mental Health Day is commemorated on October 10 every year. For those 24 hours, all eyes are on mental health and its impact. For persons living with a mental illness or struggling with mental health challenges, their families and friends, mental health professionals and mental health advocates, this is quite an important day.

The celebration was initiated to raise mental health awareness globally. It adds to the impact to have an internationally recognised specific health day. I have had this thought for quite a while, though, considering the current statistics and predicted upward trends in mental health challenges and mental illness diagnoses. Could we celebrate mental health every day?

I acknowledge that this would not be possible in a literal sense and would certainly detract from the many special activities of the actual day. Perhaps my thoughts are more on the deliberate and consistent effort that is needed for mental health education and promotion. With the mental challenges being reported at high global levels, especially throughout the ongoing pandemic, not enough of the resolutions or goals include attaining and maintaining good mental health. It is important to understand that mental health and mental illness are two different concepts. Many individuals who do not have a mental illness may be mentally unhealthy, while persons living with a mental illness diagnosis can be living mentally healthy lives.

For further clarification, here are the definitions of both concepts. “Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. Mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders” (World Health Organisation, 2022). Conversely “Mental illness ... refers collectively to all diagnosable mental disorders — health conditions involving: significant changes in thinking, emotion and/or behavior and distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities” (The American Psychiatric Association, 2022).

GOOD MENTAL HEALTH

Is there enough effort to foster good mental health as a part of our health and well-being? When generalised health is considered, there is usually major emphasis on healthy eating, lifestyle and dietary changes. There is also additional attention given to physical activity and movement. While these are quite important, mental health is no less important and needs to be a part of our overall health goals. The questions to consider then include 1. Do I know my current mental health status, and 2. Do I practise regular activities that foster good mental health?

Even with an increase of participating countries, organisations and individuals, there is still so much that needs to be done. On one hand, I have been and remain overjoyed that there is a dedicated international day for mental health awareness. On the other hand, after people have made their resolutions at the beginning of the year, the concern is about the other 364 days of the year. The only way to decrease or remove the stigma associated with mental health is through consistent exposure to mental health education and promotion. One of the best ways to facilitate good mental health is through mental health education and promotion.

I highlight the levels of shock expressed by many when persons attempt or complete suicide. Particularly the individuals that appear to others as being jovial, fun-loving and always smiling or laughing. It’s a lack of or limited mental health education that continues to facilitate this shock. Major depressive disorder/clinical depression is usually a leading factor in suicide. Depression doesn’t have a look or doesn’t have the look many persons assume it does. I also highlight the resistance by many to seek professional mental health assistance when they find themselves overwhelmed with life’s challenges. We usually don’t hesitate to seek medical assistance if we have an ache or pain, swelling or abnormality or any other sign or symptom of illness. Why, then, do we hesitate when we have tried many things for ourselves but find we are still not coping mentally?

STRUGGLING

You may be struggling to sleep or you are sleeping too much, stress eating or lost your appetite, feeling worried and anxious all the time, having feelings of hopelessness or helplessness, ‘drowning’ your sorrows through destructive behaviours or just generally feeling as if you really are unable to cope or manage. If you are experiencing any or a combination of these symptoms, especially in response to specific situations, chances are, you are mentally unhealthy. Sometimes the signs or symptoms may resolve by themselves once the situation has changed or improved. Or professional help may be needed to guide us in using proper coping mechanisms. Knowing what to do, when to do it or when to seek help is particularly beneficial when the situations are long term. How do we recognise the symptoms in ourselves or others and-or when it’s time to seek help? One certain way is through mental health education and promotion.

Can we then consider being deliberate about our mental health the way we may be about meals and physical activity? Can we be deliberate in increasing our mental health literacy? The saying ‘knowledge is power’ is quite true and there are many reputable sources of information. Can we be deliberate about mental health education and promotion? Let us each one, teach one as we learn. ‘There’s no good health without good mental health’ is the all-encompassing phrase that underlies my drive of continuous and consistent mental health education and promotion. It is a phrase that I hope will guide many to include mental health in their health goals and life resolutions, and just maybe we could have mental health day every day for each of us.

Sheryl Garriques-Lloyd is a MPhil candidate and a mental health professional. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com