WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH?
Mental health is an umbrella term that describes our emotional, social, and psychological well-being. Essentially, it’s every mood, thought, or feeling that we have and how they influence our actions or day-to-day decision making.
Just like our physical health, our mental health can vary from day to day. Some days might be good and you might not even be aware of your mental health, others might not be and you might struggle to do things that are usually easy. But experiencing ‘negative’ emotions periodically or hitting a brief rough spot is normal! It’s part of being human. It’s only when those feelings happen for long periods of time and don’t seem to go away that we might notice a problem.
what are mental illnesses?
Mental illnesses are medical illnesses that affect our brain and affect our mental health. In the same way that someone who has asthma might have problems with their lungs, illnesses like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and many others can happen at any age and affect anyone regardless of gender, culture, or lifestyle.
These illnesses can happen because of our genetics, the environment we were raised in, or because of difficult life events. They are not anyone’s fault or something that people choose to have - it’s just something that can happen like any medical illness and we learn to manage them.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that there are 1 in 5 young adults (~20%) who live with a mental illness every year. It’s more common than you think! And because they’re “invisible” (meaning you can’t see it on the surface for a lot of people), you might not even realize people around you have them until they tell you.
What mental illnesses are common?
The World Health Organization cites that there are over 200 different types of diagnoses of mental illness (2019).
Currently, the most common mental illnesses are found to be:
Anxiety Disorders - Depression - Bipolar Disorder - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - Schizophrenia - Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder (ADHD/ADD) - Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) - Eating Disorders - and many more!
What are the warning signs?
Symptoms of mental illnesses vary from person to person. The main thing you want to look out for are drastic changes in mood, personality, and behavior that last for long periods of time or lead to a decreased quality of life. Remember: feelings of happiness, anxiety, sadness, or anger are normal - it’s only when these things take over your life or keep you from doing things that you want to do that there might be an indication something else is going on.
Some symptoms might include:
Feeling very sad and withdrawn for more than two weeks.
Sudden overwhelming fear for no reason, sometimes with a racing heart, physical discomfort, or upset stomach.
Extreme mood changes - including uncontrollable “highs” that don’t seem to go away, angry outbursts that seem to come from nowhere, or long periods of grief or emptiness.
Intense worries or fears that get in the way of day to day activities - even if you know it’s not logical, you just can’t stop worrying about it!
Severe out-of-control, risk-taking behavior that causes harm to self or others.
Extreme difficulty concentrating or staying still that either puts you in danger or makes you miss important information.
Long-lasting physical symptoms you can’t seem to explain - fatigue, upset stomach, etc.
Throwing up, using laxatives, or not eating to lose weight/gain a sense of control; this can include significant weight loss or weight gain.
Repeated use of alcohol or drugs to “cope” with bad days/hard feelings.
Trying to harm or kill one’s self or making plans to do so.
For more warning signs, click here.
What do I do if I notice these things in me or a friend?
You’re not alone! This happens to a lot of people every year and treatment/support IS out there! If you notice these things happening to yourself or a friend, reach out to someone as soon as possible.
Most schools and colleges have counseling offices or mental health centers that are free to use - you can schedule an appointment with your adviser, school counselor, or nurse to talk about some of the things you’re experiencing. You can also talk to your doctor, therapist, social worker, etc. If you’re worried about friends asking about your appointment or judging you, you can always lie and say you want to talk about a class/college/something else and then open up more in person.
If that option doesn’t sound good to you, that’s okay! Think about the people you trust. Is there a teacher that you’re particularly close with? Could you talk to your parents about these things? Maybe there’s a coach, an older sibling, or a family friend who would listen? Reach out to whoever you feel comfortable and talk to more than one person if you feel like you aren’t being taken seriously.
If you’re noticing these changes in a friend, talk to them about it. Say that you’re noticing certain symptoms and tell them that you want to help them get through it. Be kind, non-judgmental, and know your limits. Offer to go with them to talk to someone or be there over text. If they’re still resistant to getting help, it’s okay to still let a support figure know so your friend can get the support they need.
Thinking this might be something you’re experiencing? Take a screening quiz!
(For more information or these topics or for more resources, click the resource tab or blog page!)