500+ Words Essay on Mental Health
“The only journey is the journey within.” -Rainer Maria Rilke
Mental health is the psychological well being of a person. It is the absence of any mental illness. Being psychologically fit means that a person can cope up with stress and perform normal life activities under normal conditions.
It is the ability of a person’s mental functioning to work in a productive and useful way. World Mental Health Day is celebrated every year on October 10th. The day is filled with seminars and debates aimed at increasing awareness about mental health. Numerous investments are also made by people and companies in the treatment and awareness of mental health.
Signs of troubled Mental Health
A human being needs an average of 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night. But when you are exhausted, and you still can’t sleep, it is a sign that your mental health is suffering.
Sometimes overworking oneself can lead to not only physical exhaustion but severe mental exhaustion as well. People develop insomnia (the inability to fall asleep) as a result.
Anxiousness can be another sign. It can often lead to panic attacks and rapidly racing thoughts. Because of this mental pressure, a person can also fall victim to chest pains and problems in breathing.
Loss of focus is another symptom of bad mental health. It happens when you feel like there is so much going on in your life at one time, and you start making careless mistakes, thereby losing the ability to focus properly.
Being constantly on edge is another factor. It can be noticed when you’re easily put off by the smallest happenings or comments and get offended and fight with your family members, friends or co-workers.
It takes place out of too much irritation that is built up inside. A feeling of disconnect with your loved ones can also have an adverse impact on your mental health. It leads to you feeling lonely and may even sink you into the depths of depression.
Important Benefits of Good Mental Health
Good mental health leads to happiness. It lets you spend more time with your loved ones and pursue your favourite hobbies. You take out time for others as well as yourself. Having stable and well mental health also helps you save a lot of money.
You need not pay for doctor visits, psychologist consultations, medicines, etc. Good mental health will leave you feeling energized and full of enthusiasm. You would succeed in doing all your tasks before time with utmost efficiency, productivity and determination.
Things like stress and depression can lead to a lot of fatal health issues and may even result in suicide in extreme cases. Being mentally healthy increases the longevity of your life as you experience more joy and satisfaction.
Mental well being also helps us in thinking clearer and uplifts our self-esteem. We may also connect with ourselves spiritually and act as role models to others. We would also be able to help others and not be a mentally draining burden on them.
Tips for Maintaining Good Mental Health
First and foremost, make a good opinion about yourself and believe that you are capable. This will increase your self-esteem and give you a boost in your confidence. A proper diet plays an extremely vital role in maintaining good mental health.
Try to eat well and consume all nutrients in appropriate quantities. Exercising physically for regular periods helps in the release of bodily chemicals that reduce stress and anxiety levels in a person.
Stress is an inevitable part of life. No matter how much we run away from it, we are bound to experience it one time or another.
Hence, when faced with stress, try to find out its source and discover better ways to handle it. Don’t let it overpower you. Learn to enjoy the present, and let go of the past. Try finding joy in small things instead of keeping your head preoccupied with yesterday’s thoughts.
The best way to keep one’s mind fresh and relaxed is by getting enough sleep. Try to sleep for at least 7 hours a night. This will make you capable of facing the next day with much more energy and vigour.
In the end, if you still feel that you are doing all you can, but your mental health doesn’t seem to improve, you can ask for help and consult professionals. There is no harm in asking for help, and neither should you feel ashamed. All you need is a little courage and self-awareness.
How various countries approach mental health
In Australia, mental health is still considered a taboo topic and a social stigma. Younger people have now become more open in discussing issues related to mental health because of the efforts of certain companies working in this direction.
In Australia, the number of people dying due to mental illness is almost double the number of people dying due to a physical illness. The Australian Government has also launched a digital mental health care platform that provides its citizens with online therapy and other comforting tools.
In Indonesia, there is a massive lack of funding and trained doctors. People with mental disorders are locked in cells and kept in inhumane conditions with restraints.
In India, people are still not very comfortable in discussing their psychological issues with others. They feel that they will be judged and will be thought of as crazy.
Luxembourg, a country in western Europe, has the highest rated mental healthcare system in the world. The average life expectancy of people living there is 82 years.
Its schooling system focuses on a Positive Education Model wherein every child is asked to study what they are good at and what they are willing to, rather than confining them to standard courses and grading methods.
Conclusion
Taking care of your mental health is as important as maintaining your physical health. Staying mentally fit means living in the moment and enjoying life with your near and dear ones.
Even developing countries like India are trying to take significant steps in the treatment of mental illnesses. People should become more accepting and non-judgemental towards one another.
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