Mental health is the foundation of emotions, thinking and communication and key to relationships, learning, resilience and hope. It also helps us function effectively, feel healthy and productive, and contribute to our communities and society.
Everyone is at risk of experiencing a mental health problem, but some people experience these problems more often than others. There are many factors that can influence your mental well-being, including inherited traits, lifestyle and environmental stressors.
Many countries have high levels of unmet need for mental health services, particularly in low- and middle-income nations. This is due to the stigma of mental illness and a lack of investment in specialized caretakers. Additionally, mental health is often neglected as a priority in favor of diseases such as AIDS, malaria and Ebola.
Symptoms and signs of mental illness can include:
It is important to know that there are effective treatments for most people with mental health issues, including psychotherapy (talk therapy), medication, complementary and alternative therapies. Treatment is based on an individualized plan developed by the person with a mental health clinician. This includes assessing how severe symptoms are and their impact on daily life, taking into account the risks and benefits of available treatments, and making sure that any psychiatric symptoms do not complicate other medical illnesses. It is important to use person-first language, avoid stigmatizing terms and never equate mental illness with weakness or a sign of character flaw. The most important thing to remember is that you can get better, and recovery is possible for all.
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