World Mental Health Day and Mental Health Day in India is observed on 10th October every year. This day is significant because it raises public awareness about mental health care and encourages people to become involved in improving their mental health.

Mental health is one of the most overlooked aspects of public health. Around one billion people suffer from mental illnesses; three million people die each year from excessive alcohol consumption, and one person commits suicide every 40 seconds. In addition to social stigma and discrimination, some human rights violations are committed against people with mental health issues.

Mental health refers to a person who is “adjusted emotionally and behaviorally in an acceptable manner.” It is a state of mental health that is devoid of mental disease. Mental health is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “personal well-being, autonomy, perceived self-efficacy, competence, intergenerational reliance, and self-actualization of one’s intellectual and emotional capacity, among other things.”

Mental health problems can develop due to sadness, stress, loneliness, anxiety, grief, mood disorders, and a variety of other mental illnesses. Therapy, counselling, or medicine can all aid in the recovery process from various ailments.

Everybody, everywhere, can join in this year’s campaign: as people, by taking tangible measures to promote our mental well-being and the mental health of friends and family; and as companies, by taking steps toward implementing wellness programs for employees.

The government is working hard to expand mental health services with media outlets that will help raise mental health awareness.

Mental Health Significance and Theme of Mental Health Day

The pandemic had a significant influence on people’s mental health. Governments from around the globe highlighted the need to scale up effective mental health services at all levels during the World Health Organization in May 2021. Additionally, several countries have developed novel approaches to delivering mental health treatment to their citizens.

It prompts us to consider acquiring additional knowledge about our nervous system for our mental well-being. Let us take a closer look at the matter.

There are several well-researched facts about the CNS. The nervous system is a complex network of nerves and special cells known as neurons that send information between various body areas. The brain is the body’s most complicated organ, using 20% of the oxygen we breathe. The brain is believed to have 100 billion neurons linked to thousands of others. It is the electrical wiring of the body.

The neural system is essential because it enables all of the body’s components to communicate. Additionally, it responds to both external and internal changes in the body. The nervous system communicates both electrically and chemically. The nervous system is composed of the brain, spinal cord, nerves. The nervous system is engaged in every thought, word, and action you make.

What could go wrong with your neurological system?

Numerous issues can affect your neurological system as per the nervous system facts, including the following:

  • Nerve injuries that result in the death of nerve cells or the severance of nerves
  • Meningitis and encephalitis are examples of infections.
  • Stroke is caused by the obstruction or tear of blood arteries that supply the neurological system.
  • Brain cancer
  • Hyperglycemia or multiple sclerosis can cause nerve fibre damage.
  • Aspartame slows metabolism, resulting in complex PTSD and sleep disorders.
  • Brain haemorrhage symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, seizures, confusion, sudden tingling or numbness or weakness, paralysis, difficulty in swallowing, etc.
  • Stroke during sex

Once nerve cells die in the brain or spinal cord, they cannot regenerate. However, nerve fibres can occasionally regrow if their cellular body is not damaged. Nerve fibres might take months to regrow. Doctors can occasionally reattach tiny nerves, restore their function, and repair the spinal cord and the brain. If you notice any of the signs mentioned above or symptoms, these are sufficient reasons to consult a neurologist.

What effect does ageing have on the neurological system?

As individuals age, their brains lose nerve cells. Your body has a more challenging time producing new nerve cells and repairing damaged ones. In comparison to younger generations, older generations are more likely to:

  • Have difficulty in recalling previous events or picking up new skills
  • Have difficulty with words
  • Have reaction times that are slower
  • Skin has less sensitivity
  • Clumsiness

It brings us to another critical point: what are the different forms of mental disease? The following are a few examples:

  • Depressive conditions (such as depression or bipolar disorder)
  • Anxieties.
  • Personality abnormalities.
  • Diseases of the mind (such as schizophrenia)
  • Anorexia.
  • Health diseases associated with trauma (such as post-traumatic stress disorder)
  • Disorders related to drug addiction.

Mental Health Causes

The following factors will lead to the aforementioned mental diseases or mental illnesses:

  • Genetics.
  • Environment.
  • Adverse childhood experiences.
  • Stressful happenings, such as the death of a loved one or getting involved in a vehicle accident.
  • Negative thinking.
  • Unhealthy habits, such as not having enough sleep or skipping meals.
  • Drugs and alcohol: Substance abuse can precipitate a mental disorder.

Mental Health Awareness

The key to excellent mental health is to be aware of how to improve one’s mental health. Mental health awareness is essential because it enhances the likelihood of early intervention. This early detection increases the possibility of a speedier recovery. Mental health is now recognized as a disease as a result of increased awareness. These diseases are treatable.

It takes us to another thought-provoking point on the importance of mental health or the significance of World Mental Health. Our psychological, emotional, and social well-being all fall under mental health, affecting our feelings, thoughts, and actions. Moreover, it influences our dealing with stress, interactions with people, and making good decisions. Mental health is critical at all stages of life, including childhood, adolescence, and maturity.

Additionally, one could inquire about the mental health objectives. World Mental Health Day is observed to ensure that primary mental health treatment is available and accessible to all. Another goal is to promote the application of mental health knowledge in primary care and social development.

 Mental health care is critical because it has the potential to prevent many mental disorders. The following are some strategies for maintaining your mental health:

  • Communicating your feelings, especially when you are distressed
  • Keeping yourself active
  • Eating well in the sense that you consume nutritious and balanced foods
  • Drinking enough water
  • Maintaining contact with your social circle friends and family
  • Seeking help when necessary and not being afraid to ask
  • Taking a break from your routine
  • Doing something you enjoy or developing a long-lost hobby
  • Accepting who you are and what you have, the way they are
  • Caring for others

If you are concerned about your mental health or want to know more about taking care of your mental health, you should always contact a neurologist or opt to consult an online neurologist. Several cities also provide mental health care services wherein you can contact a mind doctor in Delhi, a top neurologist in Jaipur, a mind doctor in Agra, the best neurologist in Faridabad or even a migraine doctor in Jaipur.

FAQs related to Mental Health

  1. What are the strategies that will help you remain mentally alert?

The following strategies may help you stay mentally alert for longer:

  •         Physical activity
  •         Limiting alcohol consumption
  •         Smoking cessation
  •         Obtaining therapy if you have hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, or diabetes
  1. What are the foods that heal nerve damage?

Several of the best foods for nerve repair include the following:

  • Vegetables that are green and leafy. Broccoli, spinach, and asparagus are all excellent sources of vitamin B, a nutrient that is necessary for nerve regeneration and function.
  • Fruits. Consume at least one fruit every day to aid in the healing of injured nerves.
  • Zucchini.
  • Squash.
  • Quinoa.
  1. What is the state of mental health in India?

India is the world’s most depressed country, according to a WHO assessment. According to the research, between 1990 and 2017, one in every seven Indians suffered from a mental disease such as depression, anxiety, or another severe disorder. Additionally, India suffers from a shortage of mental health specialists. These issues demand a quick response from both the government and individuals.

References:

  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK20367/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerve_injury
  • https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14480-brain-bleed-hemorrhage-intracranial-hemorrhage
  • https://www.nature.com/articles/sc2011132
  • https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-causes-mental-illness
  • https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day