Mind matters: Shedding light on mental health

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. NWANJA FAITH WASA is a 2^nd year medical student at the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) Buea Cameroon. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

In modern era, mental health is a pressing issue, especially among the youth. Gen Z is currently facing distinct challenges like academic stress, social media pressure, the dyer urges to be liked, accepted and validated, leading to anxiety, depression and complete burnout. Mental health refers to a state of psychological, emotional and social wellbeing enabling individuals cope with stress, make decisions, work productively, foster relationships, and contribute to their community. It vastly influences how we feel, think, behave, our daily lives, interactions, relationships, work productivity and overall quality of life entirely.

 Research by World Health Organization (WHO) shows that more than a billion people globally live with a mental health condition and it will interest you to know that a vast majority of these are undiagnosed cases. Mental health conditions are rising challenges at an exponential scale that claims the lives of so many who just need some care and a little more attention.

Mental health conditions include mental states associated with significant distress, impairments in normal functioning, risk of self and non-self-harm and psychosocial disabilities. World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately one in four people will be affected by mental health issues at some point in their lives, with WHO estimating that nearly 800,000 people die by suicide each year.

A host of factors contribute to mental health risks. Psychological factors such as trauma, personality traits, grief, neglect, prolonged stress, social media pressure, cognitive patterns and emotional resilience contribute to an individual’s mental health status. In addition, environmental determinants including living conditions, war, disease outbreaks, poverty, socioeconomic status, education and natural disasters are powerful influences on mental health.

Though no single factor can accurately predict mental health outcomes, many people maybe be affected without being exposed to these risks, while others may be exposed to these factors but never develop a mental health condition. However, an interweb of these factors including biological, psychological and environmental collectively shape, mold and greatly affect mental health and psychotic tendencies over time.

Because many determinants are not health based, effective prevention, management and remediation require cross-sector collaboration. The health sector can contribute bye leading and supporting multisectoral coordination including education, justice, family, and welfare sectors.        

Suicide prevention is a global priority and part of the sustainable development goals. Crucial strategies include 

-early identification and support. Identifying individuals at risk and providing timely support and follow-up care

-Fostering emotion resilience. This involves teaching life skills and coping mechanisms including reading books, yoga, meditation and self-control especially in adolescents

-encouraging media outlets to report on suicide responsibly

-advocate against child abuse, gender-based violence, hate, wars and all forms of violence.

-provide reach out programs and mental health talk especially for the youth.

Mental health conditions are a global plague and we all can eradicate it by supporting each other and staying true to ourselves and those around us.

Simply have an in depth talk with that person and save a life today.

References

-https://www.medicalnewstoday.com

-https://www.health.harvard.edu

-https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk

About the author

NWANJA FAITH WASA is a 2^nd year medical student at the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) Buea Cameroon.  She originates from the Southwest region of Cameroon. She is currently an official of the Cameroon Medical Students’ Association (CAMSA). She is also part of the Buea University Medical Students’ Association where she serves as Auditor 2 of the association. NWANJA FAITH is very passionate about community engagement, gender equality, women empowerment, mental health, and promoting wellness overall. She hopes to create great impact in the health sector especially mental health in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.