About Mental Illness

 

What is Mental Health?

 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines mental health as:

 

 "A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease".

 

It is related to the promotion of well-being, the prevention of mental disorders, and the treatment and rehabilitation of people affected by mental disorders.

 

One in four people the world over suffer from mental disorder in one form or another.  Mental health and mental illness run along a continuum.  When our personal balance is off, either repeatedly or for long periods, we may eventually find ourselves moving towards mental illness. 

 

While some people experience a sudden onset of symptoms of a mental illness, many mental health problems develop gradually. For example, one may hardly notice their anxiety turn to distress until, one day, they are overwhelmed. 

 

Mental distress

 

Mental distress affects people in many ways but common experiences include difficulties with making and sustaining relationships, maintaining formal and informal networks and managing tasks of daily living.  Mental distress often involves significant suffering. 

 

Many live in poverty and experience stigma and discrimination which exacerbate the low self-esteem most people with mental health issues face.  The net result is that these people become seriously isolated and excluded from social and working life.  Sometimes they can become dependant on their families and carers.  A fight to overcome personal and social problems dominates most of these peoples lives.

 

Common causes of mental illness

 

In many cases the major inducing factors are displacement, political instability, malnutrition, HIV/AIDS, long-term unemployment, poverty, isolation, discrimination,  culture, poor housing and homelessness futhermore chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and HIV/AIDS affect and are affected by mental illnesses. These are all triggers for mental health issues.  

 

Exposure to traumatic situations leads to psychological and emotional problems.  Many people go untreated which can elicit unhealthy behaviour.  A vicious cycle and pattern then develops whereby the above-mentioned stress factors have greater negative impact on peoples mental health.  This in turn can lead to deterioration in the social and economic conditions of the individual and subsequently, to a worsening of mental health.

 

Dealing with mental illness

 

Mental illness must be tackled at its earliest stages in order to prevent long term effects.  Therefore compliance to treatment is of essential importance to a positive clinical outcome. Achieving sound mental health is about striking a balance in the social, physical, spiritual, economic and mental aspects of our lives. 

 

This is an ongoing learning process.  At times, we may tip the balance too much in one direction and have to find our footing again.  Our personal balance is highly individual, and our challenge is to stay mentally healthy by finding and keeping that balance.

 

 

Back to top

 

 

Click to

Donate to

KEYAID

Click Logo to search and raise money for Keyaid

Mental Health Statistcs

The WHO (World Health Organsaton) estimates in 2002 note:

• 154 million people globally suffer from depression »

• 91 million people are affected by alcohol use disorders »