Managing Mental Health

The Health Minister of Tamil Nadu launched a round-the-clock mental helpline number 1441 and is called Tele-MANAS.

The callers will be connected to primary health centers, government medical colleges, as well as hospitals. The patients will be provided with integrated mental health services. The highest cases of depressive disorders are reported in states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Goa to name a few.

Symptoms of a patient who is down with mental health issues include loss of appetite, mood swings, insomnia, social withdrawal, being emotionally vacant, suffering from unnecessary guilt or having low self-worth and low levels of self-esteem to name a few.

As of September 2021, according to a report made public by World Health Organisation (WHO), 5% of the world’s total population is suffering from depression.

Mental health issues are rising with every passing day. Here are some ways in which we can recognise symptoms, prevent mental health problems, and cure such diseases:

Some Mental Points

Raise awareness: Chandigarh-based psychologist Anita Tayal lays emphasis on raising awareness about mental health problems. Having had the experience of working with high school students, she added “The problem is that parents are not aware enough of the problems kids face at a young age. With information overload via social media, students are exposed to a lot of factors that can have a long-lasting impact on their mentality.”

She further added that through such initiatives by the government, not only will the taboo or stigma attached to mental illnesses fade away but those who are in desperate need of help will also find a safe haven.

Understand the differences: When asked about the various stages of depression, the psychologist responded, “Terms like depression, anxiety, and OCD are being used very casually and being treated very casually. It is completely normal to feel low for some time, it is a temporary phase. It becomes problematic when the condition prolongs for a longer period of time.”

Communicate: Accepting one’s problem is the first step of treatment. Health experts suggest that symptoms must be communicated in the first go, without any delay and self-medication must be avoided at all costs. Taking immediate professional help is vital along with keeping members of the family aware of your condition.

“Communicating with the right person is equally important. Opt for direct help from a professional. With helpline numbers floating around, patients will come in contact with appropriately certified psychiatrists and quick expert assistance will be possible.” said Tayal.

Show emotions: It’s crucial to show emotional availability and openness. Psychologist Tayal made the statement that “school-going boys are being very outspoken and open about their emotional concerns, which is very important for the general growth of a person’s character. They do not believe in the stereotype of men not being masculine enough if they cry.” in support of another claim.

Do not ignore signs: Dr Kriti Anand, a consultant psychiatrist and a mental wellness expert stated that people “who have suicidal thoughts always give warning signs to those who are around them. Usually, people do not come forward with such problems because of the stigma attached to them. In such cases, it gets problematic when the loved ones ignore their signs or dismiss such experiences as something not worthy of attention and just a phase that everyone goes through.” Nobody takes such a drastic step without showing any signs or symptoms.

Lead an active lifestyle: Playing games, watching movies, and socialising with loved ones can all be highly beneficial to mental health. Such habits should be instilled in students at the school level. Running around carelessly as a child and playing odd games with pals do wonders for mental health. It cheers up a person and releases feel-good chemicals also called happy hormones.

Eat healthy food: Having less processed food, decreasing intake of alcohol, and quitting smoking are some of the ways to avoid mental health problems. Including seasonal vegetables, and fruits are a must. Having a balanced diet is the best.

According to Dr. Anand, mental disorders can be inherited, brought on by environmental factors, and can happen for no reason at all.

There are various drugs like SSRIs and TCAs that are prescribed to patients who are suffering from depression. Nevertheless, these should not be consumed without a prescription and proper consultation by a doctor. Face-to-face therapies are other ways of curing mental issues.