“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.” — Fred Rogers

Amidst the recent pandemic, everyone understood the value of physical fitness and the importance of regular fitness routines (be it yoga or meditation, or any other known routine). It is now heavily emphasized that “A sound body will inherit a sound mind” but people lack the understanding that it is just as important to care for one’s physical fitness as it is necessary for one’s mental fitness. As of today, it can be stated that mental health is not considered as severe as it should be. Anyone can be impacted no matter how successful they are or where they are in the food chain. In fact, it’s likely that you know someone who is having trouble with it as the study states that 1 in every 8 people in the world suffers from a mental disorder. So, why aren’t we talking about this?

A clinically significant disturbance in a person’s cognition, emotional control, or behavior is what is known as a mental disorder. It is typically linked to distress or functional impairment in key areas. Mental disorders come in many different forms. Mental health conditions are another coined term for mental disorders. The latter is a more general term that encompasses mental illnesses, psychosocial impairments, and (other) mental states connected to significant distress, functional impairment, or risk of self-harm. This fact sheet focuses on mental illnesses as defined by the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies mental disorders into the following types:

· Anxiety Disorders

· Depression

· Bipolar disorder

· Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

· Schizophrenia

· Eating Disorders

· Disruptive behavior and dissocial disorders

· Neurodevelopmental disorders

In 2019, 1 in every 8 people, or 970 million people around the world were living with a mental disorder, with anxiety and depressive disorders the most common. In 2020, the number of people living with anxiety and depressive disorders rose significantly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial estimates show a 26% and 28% increase respectively for anxiety and major depressive disorders in just one year. While effective prevention and treatment options exist, most people with mental disorders do not have access to effective care.

The WHO recognizes “World Mental Health Day” on October 10 every year. This year 2022, the theme set by the “World Federation for Mental Health” mentions global priority to mental health and well-being. With this initiative, the silent strugglers can be heard, and necessary aid can be provided. Now they can be un-silent. They can live well with a mental health condition as long as they share their experience with someone. It is quite necessary for them to share their experience so that adequate help can be provided.

As the data states, it is quite possible for someone you know to have been suffering from some mental disorders. The 21st century calls for numerous nature of jobs which include certain extremes like firefighters, military occupations, physicians, etc. Chronic trauma exposure makes it possible for mental health issues like depression to arise at any time. The good news is that effective measures are already available for these issues. If you want to assess the odds of you having any of the symptoms of mental health issues, you can take free online screenings. Not only that, but therapeutic intervention can also have a significant and advantageous effect if you discover that depression is a persistent and potentially growing problem in your life.

Just a few of the ways therapy can assist you in overcoming a common mental health issue, depression, are:

1. You can find the cause of the problem by speaking with a therapist. The problems you are having may have their roots in trauma you experienced at work or in other areas of your life, despite the fact that it may initially seem to you that the real problem is a conflict with your spouse, issues with a co-worker, or some other external issue that is getting to you.

2. It is possible to include family and friends during therapy. Open up to them. Let them help you. This has a significant impact on treating depression. If loved ones are supporting you during treatment, they can give you the motivation to continue.

3. Behavioural therapy for depressive disorders can reduce the number and severity of depressive episodes. You might be more likely to have another episode of depression if you’ve already had one. Continued participation in therapy may reduce the likelihood of relapse and give you coping skills for handling depression symptoms as they appear.

4. A therapist can assist you in recognizing co-occurring disorders, such as an alcohol or drug abuse issue. Before visiting a therapist, many people use drugs or alcohol to treat their depressive symptoms. This is not only ineffective, but it can also lead to the emergence of a co-occurring substance use disorder, which could exacerbate depressive symptoms.

The prevalence of anxiety and depression among college students has significantly increased since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a recent study, significant depression and anxiety affect one in three college students. Young adults must deal with “the pressure to be effortlessly perfect.” Not only this, but students and their families are under additional strain due to the rising cost of education. As early as elementary school, youth are being challenged to the breaking point. Their well-being and mental health are suffering as a result. Sadly, up to 75% of college students who experience depression or anxiety are reluctant to get help. This raises the possibility of negative outcomes like dropping out of college, performing poorly in school, committing suicide, and abusing drugs.

Parents frequently worry that discussing the symptoms and signs of anxiety and depression with their young adults will be intrusive or unwelcome. Parents try to let their child choose their own path at this point. However, it is essential to discuss worries in a conversation. Be direct and specific with your child. List some of the symptoms you have noticed and describe why they worry you. When communicating, exercise patience, composure, and empathy. Students frequently feel responsible for their mental health issues, which can make them defensive or cause them to shut down. On-campus mental health services are available at many universities. The primary care provider for your child has resources and can refer you to behavioral health services. There are numerous efficient treatments for anxiety and depression, so parents and students should always maintain hope.

Always remember that you aren’t alone. You’re seen. You’re heard. And most importantly, you do exist. So, “Promise me you’ll always remember — you’re braver than you believe and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”