Mental and Behavioral Health - The Challenges
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The World Health Organization defines mental health as the ability to manage stress, realize one’s abilities, learn and work appropriately, and contribute to society. Mental health is the state of mind and is part of an individual’s overall well-being. Like physical health, mental health can change over time, and it’s normal to have good and bad days. One’s physical health condition, life experiences, relationships, and work or school environments can all influence mental health.
Being mentally healthy allows people to feel, think, and act in ways that help them enjoy life. It means one can cope with life’s challenges. However, current life challenges, economic conditions, political tensions, conflicts, and chaos can lead to both mental and behavioral health challenges. Poor mental health may result in feeling unhappy, not thinking clearly, and may interfere with aspects of daily life. This can cause people to withdraw from friends or family, or lose interest in activities that used to be enjoyable to anyone.[1]
Mental Illness
Mental illness is a general term for types of mental health challenges that affect thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and an individual’s ability to function in daily life. People facing one of these challenges feel distressed regularly and may not feel in control of their lives. Mental illness is not the same as feeling sad, unhappy, or stressed because of difficult situations – like job loss or a breakup. However, major life events like these and others can contribute to mental illness. For example, someone dealing with cancer could develop depression. Or someone facing discrimination could develop post-traumatic stress disorder.
The symptoms of mental illness vary from individual to individual. A person may experience intense symptoms every day, or more mild symptoms once a week. They may:
· Stop doing things they normally enjoy, pull away from friends or family, or feel numb.
· Increase their substance use or start using new substances (e.g., drinking alcohol, smoking, or using drugs).
· Sleep more or less than normal.
· Eat more or less than normal.
· Have big mood swings; feel more upset, angry, or scared than normal.
· Have strange thoughts or hear voices.
Everything from sleep to diet to exercise can affect people’s health similarly to the way they think, feel, and act. These relate to one’s behavioral and mental health. It is important to note that there is a difference between behavioral health and mental health. There are subtle distinctions that matter when it comes to diagnosing and treating psychological issues. There are even different approaches to managing problems related to behavioral health versus mental health. Behavioral health has more to do with the specific actions people take. It’s about how they respond in various scenarios. Two people who are experiencing similar emotions may react in very different ways. Mental health, on the other hand, has more to do with thoughts and feelings. It’s pretty specific to biological factors that influence people’s mental state.[2]
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Causes Of Mental Illness
Many factors influence mental health, including biological and psychological components and social influences such as environment, relationships, and culture. Biologically, people may be predisposed to certain mental illnesses. Chemicals in the brain, such as neurotransmitters, can impact how people experience emotions and their mental state. Other biological factors that come into play include genetics, hormones, and general health.
It becomes imperative to note the risk factors for mental health conditions. The following factors can contribute to mental health conditions:[3]
Flexible (modifiable factors) include:
. Socioeconomic conditions, such as discrimination, barriers to opportunity, availability of work, and poverty. Having limited financial means or belonging to a marginalized ethnic group can increase the risk of mental health disorders as a result of biases in healthcare, occupation, a person’s level of social involvement, education, and housing quality.
2. Inflexible (nonmodifiable) include: gender, age, ethnicity, and nationality
3. Additional Factors: family history of mental illness, unresolved traumatic or abusive childhood experiences, stressful life events, such as a loved one’s death, and environmental influences on a fetus, such as exposure to drugs or alcohol.
Effective And Collaborative Treatments For Mental Issues
Every patient’s treatment must be uniquely tailored, and numerous factors go into deciding what kind of plan is best. The most effective treatment often involves providers working together to examine all aspects of the patient’s well-being. Only then should they recommend interventions, which can include medication, group therapy, psychotherapy, and other forms of treatment.[3]
Promoting Mental Health And Well-Being
It's important to remember that no single approach works for everyone. However, it can be helpful to focus on lifestyle factors and self-care practices including: [3]
Adequate Sleep:
As the body flushes out toxins during rest, neuroprotective compounds are released to help reduce stress, cultivate emotional control, and optimize cognitive function.
Balanced Diet:
To provide the body with essential nutrients.
Exercising Regularly:
Regular exercise releases endorphins which are chemical/neurotransmitters released by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus in the brain. As natural hormones, they can alleviate pain, lower stress, improve mood, and enhance a sense of well-being. The body releases endorphins when one does pleasurable activities such as eating, exercise, sex, etc., which can reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.
Relaxation Techniques:
Practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness. Mindfulness is a practice that encourages people to be present in the moment without any judgment or expectation.
Healthy Relationships:
Social relationships can create a sense of purpose, boost self-esteem, reduce feelings of loneliness, provide support and fulfillment
The World Health Organization Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030
According to the WHO, mental health is the ability to manage existing conditions and stressors while maintaining ongoing wellness and happiness. Factors such as stress, depression, and anxiety can negatively affect a person’s mental health and disrupt their routine. A healthcare professional may help someone with a mental health condition to manage their well-being through a program of therapy or medications.
The WHO Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030 makes several recommendations for action at the national level, addressing risks to mental health and strengthening systems of care for mental health. They are: [3]
· Deepen The Value And Commitment To Mental Health: Stepping up investments in mental health, not just by securing appropriate funds and human resources across health and other sectors to meet mental health needs, but also through committed leadership, pursuing evidence-based policies and practice, and establishing robust information and monitoring systems. Including people with mental health conditions in all aspects of society and decision-making to overcome stigma and discrimination, reduce disparities, and promote social justice.
· Reshape Environments That Influence Mental Health: Implementing concrete actions to improve environments including homes, communities, schools, workplaces, health care services, and natural environments for mental health. Stepping up action against intimate partner violence and abuse and neglect of children and older people; enabling nurturing care for early childhood development, making available livelihood support for people with mental health conditions, introducing social and emotional learning programs while countering bullying in schools, shifting attitudes and strengthen rights in mental health care, increasing access to green spaces, and banning highly hazardous pesticides in the world.
· Strengthen Mental Health Care: By changing where, how, and by whom mental health care is delivered and received. Building community-based networks of interconnected services that move away from custodial care in psychiatric hospitals and cover a spectrum of care and support through a combination of mental health services that are integrated into general health care; community mental health services; and services beyond the health sector.
As the world witnessed the COVID-19 pandemic, it is now clear that the next global challenge will not only come from the evolving viruses around us but also, from health issues such as mental and behavioral health. Mental health can no longer be ignored for it plays a critical role in the health of an individual, society, community and of a nation as a whole. Mental health matters must be taken seriously and new methods, medications, and treatments must be implemented across the health sector to ensure the well-being and health of individuals and populations.
References
1. About mental health. (2023). https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm
2. Checkroud SR, et al. (2018). Association between physical exercise and mental health in 1.2 million individuals in the USA between 2011 and 2015
3. Fulford B, Thornton T, Graham G. Oxford textbook of philosophy and psychiatry. Oxford University Press; 2006. Philosophical outputs in mental health practice and research; pp. 111–138.