In recent years, a new buzzword has entered our vocabulary which is “mental health”. Young adults, workplaces, schools and even the government have used this word multiple times and stressed the importance of keeping healthy, mentally.

But what does “Mental Health” really mean?

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), mental health is “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”

This definition is widely accepted. It rightfully moves away from stating that mental health is not just the absence of mental illness which was earlier believed. Now, mental health is regarded as a key aspect of living a meaningful and wholesome life.

There still is a popular misconception regarding mental health. People might consider that the individuals who are not fitting into society, not following the social norms or are criminals who show no guilt or remorse are the only ones with mental illness or are mentally unwell. However, at the same time, someone who might experience intense stress, and unhappiness due to life’s difficulties like an exam, or a breakup might be seen as a completely healthy person.

Mental health is a spectrum. We can have some good days and some bad days. People who seem to have good mental health can also be stressed, upset or unhappy which is absolutely normal. It is an essential part of being a human being. Just like physical health, mental health needs to be built and taken care of.

Mental health includes emotional, psychological, as well as social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act. How we make decisions and relate to the people around us. Mental health is essential to one’s overall health and quality of life.

What is the importance of mental health?

1. Mental Health and Relationships:

When we are feeling frustrated, insecure or misunderstood, it impacts the way we interact with the people around us. Most importantly, the way we interact with our family and friends. It results in conflicts, tantrums or even big disputes. To curb such conflicts, one needs to address and identify the ways these emotions can be managed.

2. Mental Health and Physical Health:

Feeling stressed on a day-to-day basis and not doing anything about it can have a tremendous impact on our immune systems. As a result, our bodies are not able to cope with common illnesses. We become more prone to catching colds, coughs, and diseases. Our nervous systems are connected deeply with how we are dealing with stress in life. It impacts our physical health. Ever had a headache which just won’t go away? Think about how it started. Physical health and mental health are intricately correlated. Hence, it is important to take care of both to create a balance for healthy living.

3. Mental Health and Emotional Intelligence:

The first step towards understanding the issues that are hindering our happiness and productivity is to identify our emotions. When one is feeling down, irritated and annoyed, it cannot be dismissed. It will keep popping up until we do something about it. A popular type of intelligence which has been gaining the attention of global leaders is EI (Emotional Intelligence). It helps us navigate our own emotions and helps us understand the emotions of the people around us. By working on our EI, we can create better relationships, work better in teams and regulate our expectations.

4. Mental Health and Productivity:

Another reason why it’s important to look after our mental health is that it contributes to our overall productivity in every sphere of life. According to research published in the American Journal of Psychiatry,

individuals with serious mental diseases earn 40% less than those who are mentally healthy.

According to the World Health Organization,

almost 200 million workdays are lost every year due to depression alone. 

It is widely known and accepted that poor mental health can cause a drop in productivity levels.

5. Mental Health and Community:

Feeling a part of a community gives each person a sense of belonging. With the promotion of well-being and mental health, people are able to give & receive ideas, support and maintain positive relationships. Community-building has the potential to generate a more tolerant and kind environment around us. Which in turn, increases the chances of well-being. Learning more about mental health can help bring about a much-needed change to living happily & productively.

How is mental health impacted by adolescence?

As we have seen, mental health is important for each individual due to different challenges at various stages of life. In particular, if we focus on adolescence it is a tricky period because teenagers are going through many physical changes and challenges in a very short period of time. They are learning more about the world around them as well as more about themselves. At this point, it becomes extremely crucial for parents & teachers to support and provide an environment where teenagers can feel heard, seen, and understood. That can promote positive mental health.

Some ideas that can help promote mental health and well-being for young adolescents:

• Be interested in the happenings of your child’s life. Ask questions, be curious and value your child’s ideas, thoughts & opinions.

• Make an attempt to show affection and care for your child in a way that he/she likes. For example, some teenagers do not like being hugged but they appreciate praise.

• Create space for one-on-one time with your child or participate in an activity together as a family. This could be a sport, walking or just playing a game after a nice meal together.

• Motivate them to talk about their thoughts and feelings. It’s important for your child to feel they don’t have to go through things on their own, the feeling of loneliness should be curbed. Working together can be any issue, sometimes simply talking about it, can be very helpful.

• Talk to trusted family members, mentors or teachers. Reach out for support when there are any concerns or roadblocks.

SOURCES:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4471980/ 
2. https://www.planstreetinc.com/top-ten-reasons-why-mental-health-is-so-important/ 3.https://raisingchildren.net.au/teens/mental-health-physical-health/about-mental-health/teen-me ntal-health