Mental Health
Mental health is a crucial component of health. Mental health includes an individual’s psychological, emotional, and social well-being. According to WHO, there is no single official definition of mental health.
Every year World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10. It was started as an annual activity by the world federation for mental health by the deputy secretary-general of UNO at that time.
Mental health is not just a concept that refers to an individual’s psychological and emotional well-being. It also means connecting with others, getting involved in physical activities, helping others, getting enough sleep, and staying positive that there is a way out.
Proper mental health is essential in every stage of life. Throughout a lifetime, we can experience mental health issues at any point. This affects not only our mood and behaviour but also changes our way of thinking, of looking at life, and facing challenges.
Mental health is a highly personal thing. What affects one person may or may not affect the other person. However, some significant factors contribute to mental health problems. These factors include life experiences such as trauma or abuse, biological factors such as genes or chemistry of the brain, and even the family history of mental health problems that can affect an individual.
Positive mental health allows people to realise their full potential, cope with stress in life, work productively and make meaningful contributions to the community. Taking care and looking after one’s mental health preserves an individual’s ability to enjoy life.
Mental health is related to the personality as a whole of that person. Physical fitness is not the only measure of good health alone. The two main factors that affect the most are feelings of inferiority and insecurity. This should be avoided and children should be constantly encouraged to believe in themselves.