Mental health issues can affect anyone, regardless of who they are, their age, background, abilities, or lifestyle. We are about to highlight some things you may not know about mental health.
Many mental health issues are not necessarily severe or long-lasting. Often, when mental health is mentioned, people immediately think of serious mental illnesses. However, mental health can be seen as a state where someone was doing well and then started developing various conditions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which an individual realizes their own abilities.”
In reality, a large number of mental health problems are not as severe as those that can be visibly seen or long-lasting. Sometimes, they are mild and temporary issues.
Statistics show that more than 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression, while about 4% of the global population experiences chronic anxiety. These are often the leading conditions when discussing mental health.
Gender plays a role
Data indicates that depression, chronic anxiety, and Bipolar Disorder (a mental condition causing unusual shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels) tend to affect women more. On the other hand, illnesses like schizophrenia and substance abuse disorders tend to affect men more frequently.
What we eat affects our mental health
Typically, we are accustomed to thinking that a person’s mental state affects their eating behavior. However, evidence shows that food can also impact mental health. For example, people who follow the Mediterranean diet have a 33% lower risk of experiencing depression.
Sleep deprivation can cause depression
In today’s fast-paced life, people are getting less and less sleep. However, getting enough rest is crucial for good health. Sleep deprivation has been linked to numerous conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and depression.
Most mental health issues affect people under 25
At least 10% of young people under 20 are diagnosed with mental illnesses, which can lead to disabilities. About 50% of mental health issues emerge by the age of 14, and 75% develop before the age of 25.
Due to the severe consequences mental health issues can have on adults, it is important to treat them early. Addressing them in young people is crucial for ensuring a better quality of life later on.
There is a strong connection between lifestyle and mental health problems
Research shows that social and economic inequalities increase the risk of mental health issues, leading to reliance on others, loneliness, chronic illnesses, reduced life expectancy, higher child mortality, poor quality education, and more.
Access to mental health care is often based on a country’s economic development. As a result, economic disparities lead to a higher number of untreated mental health conditions.
Burnout is more than just a mental issue
When describing burnout, terms like exhaustion, extreme fatigue, or work-induced stress are often used. Those affected start to lose interest in their work, become less productive, and may feel disconnected.
BY KAYITESI Ange
