Why is World Mental Health Day 2023 Important

Mental health refers to the emotional, psychological, and mental well-being of an individual. Mental health is critical for any individual’s success and quality of life. Mental health helps in making better choices, coping up with stress, and establishing relationships with others. As a result, mental health status becomes important. On World Mental Health Day 2023, we raise awareness about the very-less-talked-about health concern—mental wellbeing. Every individual has a right to mental wellness and this World Health Day, we take a pledge to promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right. 

What is World Mental Health Day?

World Mental Health Day is celebrated across the world to raise awareness about the significance of mental well-being. Mental wellness is as important as physical well-being. A healthy and motivated mind even speeds up the recovery process of physical injury or disorder.  It not only helps in making good life choices and excel professionally but also critical in maintaining social and personal relationships among others in society. Mental health affects an individual's mood, behaviour, and thinking and learning abilities. 

World Mental Health Day Importance

Mental health is an important aspect of overall well-being. It is usually less talked about and is considered a taboo subject. As a result, individuals suffering from mental illness and disorders suffer in silence and hesitate to talk about it. At the workplace, mental health is given less importance, although the young generation suffer from anxiety and stress the most due to their professional workload. Mental illness is the reason behind 8 million deaths worldwide annually. People suffering from mental disorders lose approximately 10 years of their life. As a result it becomes important to raise awareness and knowledge about mental health at local and global level.

Why is World Mental Health Day Celebrated?

World Mental Health Day is celebrated on 10th of October to mark the importance of mental wellness. Mental health is important for overall health. Depression, for example, increases the risk of physical health problems, such as diabetes and heart stroke and vice versa. World Mental Health Day sheds light on the preventive measures, signs and symptoms, types of mental disorders and treatment options available. By understanding the early signs and symptoms of mental illness, it becomes easier to speedy recovery and back to normal healthy life.

History of World Mental Health Day

In 1992, The World Federation for Mental Health announced October 10 as World Mental Health Day and since then it has celebrated it with a new theme every year. This year, the theme is “Anxiety”. However, initially it did not have a specific theme and aimed to promote mental health awareness and educate the public on relevant issues.

As the popularity of the campaign gained pace, a theme for the day was used for the first time in 1994, which was “Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services throughout the World and making mental health a human right. 

The  popularity of the campaign started to grow. Some of its early themes were Women and Mental Health (1996), Children and Mental Health (1997), Mental Health and Human Rights (1998) and Mental Health and Ageing (1999). 

Importance of Mental Illness Awareness  and Factors Affecting Mental Health

In a 2019 WHO report, approximately 970 million people were living with a mental disorder. Anxiety and depression are the most common forms of mental disorder that affect people. Mental disorders have increased after the pandemic hit the world. Many people face discrimination and are stigmatised due to their deteriorating mental health status. We must talk about and raise awareness about the impact of mental health on day-to-day life and the types of mental disorders that affect people globally.

• Anxiety disorder: Anxiety being the most common form of mental illness affects the majority of the population. In 2019, According to WHO report, 301 Million people suffered from this disorder including children and adolescents. It is characterised by panic attacks, separation anxiety and excessive worry.

• Depression: WHO states that 280 million people are living in depression by 2019. People experiencing depression feel lack of interest, irritability, and poor concentration. Depression is the leading cause of suicide among young people.  

• Bipolar Disorder: In 2019, 40 million people experienced bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder exhibit depression with bouts of manic symptoms. 

• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: As the name suggests, this mental disorder is prevalent in people who had been through a trauma, such as losing someone, war, or series of horrific events in their lives. 

• Schizophrenia: Schizophrenia affects 1 in 300 people worldwide. People with this condition usually have life expectancy 10-20 years below that of the general population. Symptoms include persistent delusion, disorganised thinking, extreme agitation, and hallucination. 

• Eating disorders: Eating disorders include abnormal eating patterns and body dysmorphia. 

• Neurodevelopmental disorders: Neurodevelopmental disorders are mental health conditions related to intellectual development, such as autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).  ADHD is distinguished by a continual presence of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive behaviour that hinders one's academic, professional, or social performance.

Factors Affecting Mental Health

Various intrinsic and extrinsic factors affect the mental health status of an individual. These factors contribute to various mental illnesses and disorders. Although most mental disorders are preventable and stopped, some are severe and require strict medical regimens. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 5 individuals suffer from a mental disorder. Factors affecting mental health are as follows:

• Biological factors: genes and brain biochemistry
• Life incidents: trauma and abuse
• Family history: Incidence of mental illness in the family tree.

Early Signs and Symptoms and Preventive Measures 

One must have the knowledge of the early signs and symptoms of mental disorders. It would help you understand better if you or someone close is going through a mental health issue. 

• Disinterested to meet people or do daily activities
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Feeling helpless and hopeless
• Yelling or fighting with family or friends
• Severe mood swings
• Hearing voices 

Preventive measures

Prevention can help all of us, whether we currently have good mental health or not. We all have mental health that changes depending on what’s happening in our lives.

• Primary Prevention: Primary prevention refers to preventing mental illness before they start. This preventive step works best for everyone in the community. Steps like running anti-stigma campaigns, teaching students and children about emotions and mental health.
• Secondary Prevention: This deals with preventing mental illness in people at higher risk. People with traumatic episodes of lives, dealing with long-term physical conditions, and victims of hate crimes.
• Tertiary Prevention: This deals with helping people suffering with mental illness and prevent it from developing into severe cases. Counselling and medical intervention are required at this level.

Activities to do on World Mental health Day 2023

World Mental Health Day is celebrated globally, and several events and campaigns are held on the occasion. Additionally, you can host your own event or run a mental health awareness drive at community level by gathering friends, community members, elected officials. This will help in tackling the situation at ground level. Following are the activities that can be done on World Mental Health Day: 

• Get a mental health first aid certificate: You can enrol in a mental health first aid course and learn techniques to understand the signs and symptoms of mental health disorders and be able to help someone experiencing a mental health crisis. The course is offered by various online foundations, such as Born This Way Foundation and Jack.Org. 
• Share your story: There is nothing more helpful than sharing your feelings and experiences faced during a mental health crisis. This activity helps and encourages others and makes them feel that they are not alone in this crisis, and it is OK to go through a mental breakdown sometimes. You can share your story on This is my Brave and Hundreds of stories. 
• Donate: A simple donation can help tremendously to people and organisations facing limited resources. You can donate at your community level or find any organisation online. 
• Get a tattoo: Honour yourself and your ability to overcome mental crises and show the people fighting alone and in silence that hope is real by getting tattooed. There is no better time to get a tattoo than today.
• Take care of yourself: Self care is a must. Take some time off work and responsibilities to give time to yourself. You can start the process by participating in activities that lightens your mood and help destress, such as meditation, yoga, workout, cycling. Physical activities are the best way to relax your mind and get better sleep at night. 
• Talk to a counsellor:  Talking to a counsellor or therapist would help you understand the root cause of your mental crisis. They could help you better at times when you are facing mental disorders that are overtaking your daily life activities.
• Engage in projects at school or office: Talk to your boss or school counsellor about bringing campaigns and events to shed light on the importance of mental health at workplaces and at school. Majority of people face depression and anxiety due to excess workload and burnout. 

World Mental Health Day 2023 Quotes

Quotes are powerful and help us feel motivated. On World Mental Health Day 2023, we curated motivational and inspiring quotes from across the globe that make you feel included and strong on your journey of mental well-being.

• What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candour, and more unashamed conversation.”— Glenn Close
• “We would never tell someone with a broken leg that they should stop wallowing and get it together. We don’t consider taking medication for an ear infection something to be ashamed of. We shouldn’t treat mental health conditions any differently.”— Michelle Obama
• “There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.”— John Green
• “There is no normal life that is free of pain. It’s the very wrestling with our problems that can be the impetus for our growth.”— Fred Rogers
• “You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you.”— Dan Millman

Theme For World Mental Health Day 2023

Mental Health Day is celebrated on October 10 annually, and In 2023, the theme of mental health day is Anxiety. Anxiety is a normal emotion, but it can be overwhelming at times. Anxiety can develop into mental illness if not controlled or taken care of. Several factors trigger anxiety, such as work pressure, relationships, substance abuse or withdrawal. 

Anxiety—World Mental Health Day Theme 

Anxiety is our natural response to uncertainty. We exhibit this emotion underperformance, results, and relationship pressure. Anxiety not only affects our emotional well being but also physical well-being. It can hamper sleep, focus, and body weight. We must be aware of the early signs and symptoms of anxiety and seek medical or therapeutic help as soon as possible. 

Signs of Anxiety

• Increased heart rate
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Breathlessness
• Chest pain

Conclusion

In conclusion, World Mental Health Day serves as a vital reminder to focus on mental wellness and highlights the importance of mental well-being in daily life. Mental health plays a critical role in an individual's success and growth on professional as well as personal and community levels. Anxiety and depression are the most common forms of mental illness that affect the young generation and adolescents. It is critical to understand the signs and symptoms, preventive measures, and available treatments concerning mental illness. Mental illness is usually considered a taboo in society and as a result people often suffer in silence, deteriorating their health and life. We must raise awareness and work together to make this world a healthy and supportive place for all. 

 

 

References

Mental Illness Awareness Week, NAMI.ORG 

https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Illness-Awareness-Week

What is Mental Health? Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMSHA.ORG

https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health

Events and Fundraising, Mental Health Foundation, Mentalhealth.Org

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/get-involved/events-and-fundraising

Mental Health, World Health Organisation, WHO.int

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response

Global Mental Health Statistics, Hopechest.org

https://www.hopechest.org/global-mental-health-statistics/#:~:text=Global%20Mental%20Health%20Statistics%20Overview&text=1%20in%204%20people%20will,are%20attributable%20to%20mental%20disorders.

D Saloni, Rodes-Guirao L, R Hannah, and R Max, Mental Health, Ourworldindata.org

https://ourworldindata.org/mental-health

80 Best Mental Health Quotes to Uplift and Inspire You, Goodgoodgood.co

https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/mental-health-quotes

 

 

FAQ:

1) When is World Mental Health Day Celebrated?

World Mental Health Day is celebrated across the globe on October 10.

2) Is mental health connected with physical well-being?

Yes, Mental well-being and physical well-being go hand in hand. Mental health is responsible for various diseases. Such as heart stroke, diabetes, sleep disorders, and hormonal imbalance. 

3) What is the theme of World Mental Health Day 2023?

Theme of World Mental Health Day 2023 is Anxiety.

4) Can supplements help prevent mental disorders?

Yes, a healthy lifestyle with correct supplements can prevent mental illnesses. Supplements like DecodeAge NMN, SportVit, and LongeVit can help reduce stress and anxiety and help focus better.

5) Which food reduces anxiety and stress?

Chamomile, pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, yoghurt and green tea help reduce anxiety and stress.

6) What are the early signs of Anxiety?

Fast heart beat, heaviness in the chest, chest pain, loss of appetite, and headache are some of the early signs of anxiety. Talk to a healthcare provider if you exhibit these symptoms. 

7) Can I cure mental illness naturally?

Early stages of mental illnesses and disorders are curable with right counselling and correct supplements. Advanced cases might require medical intervention and strict medical regimen.

8) What are the activities to destress?

Physical activities, such as Workout, cycling, trekking, yoga can help destress.