mental health problems

Question

1. What causes mental health problems someone does it mean to you?
2. What’s the belief about mental health in your culture?
3. what Should the world do about mental health?
4. What something you would tell someone who’s going through mental health?

Answer 1

Hi Lana,

Thank you for submitting your question!

The topic of mental health is very broad and can be addressed from many perspectives. I will try to provide my perspective which is based on many years of work both as a College Counselor and also as a Holistic Wellness Life Coach, and taking into consideration my background in Mental Health Counseling.

1. Mental health issues can be caused by many different factors. One of these factors can be people's unique biological and chemical body composition. For example, some people naturally produce lower levels of the hormone Serotonin (which could lead to Depression), and some others have a higher fight/flight trauma response which can make them produce more of the hormone Cortisol, which could then lead to more Anxiety. Moreover, mental health issues can also be causes by people's unique socio economical situations. If someone is very lonely and isolated and lacks support;, if someone comes from a lower socio-economic status and struggles financially, or is in debt; if someone comes from an oppressed or colonized pupulation... all of these aspects can contribute to someone struggling with mental health issues
2. I was born and raised in Italy, and in my homecountry there is a lot of stigma around mental health. People do not talk openly about it, and seeking counseling and therapy is considered something only "crazy" people do. There is a social understanding that it is your fault if you struggle with mental health (which is obviously not true!) and that you should "man it up" and deal with it without talking about it. I clearly do not resonate with this view and this is why I became a Counselor!
3. This is a huge topic and so many options are possible. One of the main things I think are very important on a global basis to combat the current mental health crisis is to make sure that people have access to basic human rights. Everyone should be fed, clothed, and housed properly and everyone should have access to decent pay and a fulfilling job, or if they don't have a job, get some sort of government help. Mental illness would be so much less prevalent if we all could have access to those things. Also, we should make sure therapy and counseling can be accessed by people for free or at a low-cost, and be part of the health insurance system. We should prioritize rest, self-care, healthy and fulfilling loving relationships, and a healthy lifestyle. Good food, sunshine, and healthy friendships can do wonders to someone's mental health!
4. To someone struggling with mental health I would first and foremost say that IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT if they are struggling. They are not defective. This world is a difficult place to live in, and it's nomal to struggle from time to time. I would encourage them to be compassionate with themselves. I would tell them that they are worthy of love even when they struggle. And then I would tell them to go seek help, talk to their doctors to see if medications can help, talk to a therapist to address trauma or other issues, and help them to put in place a healthy lifestyle routine. And I would make sure to keep checking on that person so that they do not feel alone and abandoned by the world.