You Can Rise Above Mental Illness!

Millions of lives have been impacted by the recent global pandemic. As many strive to stay physically healthy, we should also take time to focus on and nurture our mental health. What actions can we take, and encourage others to take, in order to foster good mental health? 

According to ScienceDaily, "The percentage of young Americans experiencing certain types of mental health disorders has risen significantly over the past decade... The rate of individuals reporting symptoms consistent with major depression in the last 12 months increased 52 percent in adolescents from 2005 to 2017 and 63 percent in young adults age 18 to 25  from 2009 to 2017." (ScienceDaily.com, March 15, 2019). The research goes on to conclude that the results reflect a sudden cultural shift regarding how we spend our time outside of work.

On top of the cultural changes in our society the anxiety and worry of providing for yourself and your family on top of paying bills and in some cases large outstanding debts have the potential to significantly increase the risk of mental ill-health. Are events occurring in today’s world causing you to be anxious or worried? Are you feeling depressed about the current situation and your potential future? Despite all these complex and compounding emotional issues, you can overcome mental ill-health. Here is what you may do to help yourself and those around you. The first step may seem obvious, but we need to realize it applies to us personally and not just 'everyone else'. 

Step #1 – We need to take care of each other. 

In a world that is focused primarily on the self, the simple truth of caring for others can easily be overlooked. Through tests that measure brain activity, "…we now know that giving activates the same parts of the brain that are stimulated by food and sex. Experiments show evidence that altruism is hardwired in the brain… Helping others may just be the secret to living a life that is not only happier, but also healthier, wealthier, more productive and meaningful..""  (Jenny Santi, "The Secret to Happiness Is Helping Others," Time.com)

Step #2 – We need to ask for help sometimes. 

Many who suffer mental ill-health often feel alone. Coupled with the stigma of being ‘broken’, many often neglect the need for help, yet this is the very reason to seek counsel. Someone experiencing mental ill-health, who isolates themselves from society to their own mental state, are potentially going to cause themselves and those around them harm - as they allow themselves to sink deeper into their ill-state. As humans, we are malleable and can rewrite ourselves and this is the very reason to seek counseling and ask for help. Take time to talk to someone and seek help to overcome the anxiety, worry and depression. An added benefit to this step is that by accepting help from others, you are in turn helping others to fulfill the caring role. 

Step #3 – We need to eat well. 

Your brain needs food: it’s essential, not only for your physical wellbeing, but also your mental health. In the words of Dr. Eva Selhub from Harvard Medical School: 

“Like an expensive car, your brain functions best when it gets only premium fuel. Eating high-quality foods that contain lots of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants nourishes the brain and protects it from oxidative stress. ("Nutritional psychiatry: Your brain on food," Harvard Health Publishing, March 26,2020)

In echoing Dr. Selhub’s plea to eat properly, it is important to consider what is food and what is not.  You can check out our recent viewpoint covering the origin of many diseases, where we discuss how we can help our society by learning what is good to eat. 

These three steps are just a few ways in which you can start to improve your mental wellbeing. As someone who has close experience with mental ill-health, I urge us all to rise above the stigma, seek counsel, stay healthy, and most of all practice the give way of life – giving and caring for others. Start yourself on the path to gaining and maintaining good mental health.