Every year, on October 10, World Mental Health Day is a significant occasion to raise awareness of mental health issues and highlight the value of mental health in both individual lives and society as a whole. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness of the stigma associated with mental illness, inspire global support for the cause, and create a supportive atmosphere in all facets of life. The day has been created to help spread more awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health matters. Since the pandemic, there has been a notable increase in public awareness of mental health issues, which has resulted in substantial advancements in the field. These advancements include a reduction in stigma and misconceptions as well as the promotion of judgment-free, candid dialogue on mental health.

Despite this, many people’s mental health has declined significantly since 2020 as a result of the pandemic’s after effects, including heightened health anxiety and social isolation. According to a study conducted by HarvardBusiness Review, 85% said their well-being had declined since the global pandemic. On World Mental Health Day 2024, Asthma Bhawan presents a comprehensive guide focusing on the intersection of respiratory health and mental well-being. Chronic illnesses like asthma can have a serious negative influence on mental health, frequently resulting in tension and anxiety.

This guide offers insightful advice on how to manage the psychological effects of Asthma with professional therapy, stress-relieving methods, and mindfulness. By using a holistic approach, Asthma Bhawan hopes to encourage people to place equal importance on mental and physical health, leading to a balanced lifestyle that promotes overall health for both patients and their families.

What is World Mental Health Day?

The global celebration of mental health support, services, resources, and education is known as World Mental Health Day or World Mental Health Awareness Day. Since it was first recognized in 1992, the day has been commemorated yearly all around the world.

The Theme for World Mental Health Day 2024 

The theme for World Mental Health Day 2024 is ‘It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace,” which underscores the growing need for mental health support in professional environments’.

What is the Aim of World Mental Health Day?

The purpose of World Mental Health Day is to increase global awareness of mental health issues, dispel stigma, and promote greater access to mental health care for all people, regardless of circumstances. It seeks to coordinate and mobilize initiatives to assist persons dealing with mental health problems in order to advance happier and healthier lifestyles for all people worldwide. World Mental Health Day opens the possibility for people to address difficulties with mental health without judgement ,,and propel assistance to regions of the world that may not have easily available mental health support yet.

Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health 

The signs listed below can be used to diagnose mental illness.

• Sleep or Appetite Changes: Sudden changes in sleeping and eating habits.
• Mood Changes: Sudden mood fluctuations, such as becoming irritated or depressed.
• Withdrawal: Abrupt disengagement from social interactions or lack of interest in activities you enjoy doing.
• Drop in Performance: Unexpected shift in performance at work or school, or experiencing trouble completing a routine task.
• Thinking About Problems: Never stopping to consider issues or feelings that defy explanation.
• Increased Sensitivity: Sensitive to small things like smell, sound, or even touch.
• Apathy (Lack of Interest): Unwilling to take part in any activities.
• Feeling Disconnected: Always feeling disconnected from people around you.
• Nervousness: Constantly uneasy or afraid.
• Irrelevant Thinking: Unusual, nonsensical, or mystical thinking.
• Unusual Behavior: Sudden changes in behavior that are very unusual.
• Changes in School or Work: Taking extended leaves of absence or finding it tough to keep up relationships with colleagues or classmates.

Types of Mental Disorder 

It is characterized by behavioral, emotional regulation, or cognitive difficulties that are clinically serious. In the year 2019, approximately 970 million people, or one in every eight, suffered from a mental health illness. The pandemic of 2020, which was mostly caused by the broad effects of COVID-19, significantly worsened anxiety and depression-related problems in a considerable proportion of the population. Some of the types of mental disorder are given below:

• Depression.
• Anxiety.
• Schizophrenia.
• Bipolar disorder.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Eating disorders.
• Neurodevelopmental disorders.

Top 9 Tips to Take Care of Mental Health

• Recognize and watch out: Both good and bad days exist. But it becomes crucial to pay attention to what’s bothering you and not disregard it when it’s happening all the time. It’s critical to identify the warning signals of mental health issues and get assistance before the illness gets worse. 
• Communicate your feelings with the person you trust: Talking to your friends, family, or colleagues and sharing your feelings can help to calm your anxietyand relieve stress. 
• Get help from a professional: It’s frequently hard to talk to your loved ones since you can’t seem to put your feelings into words. It is crucial to seek expert assistance (psychiatric or medical) in such circumstances to prevent further deterioration of your mental health.
• Take care of your physical health: Both physical and mental health are connected, so it is important to take care of your physical health by eating a healthy diet and regular exercising to maintain good mental health.
• Mediate: Simple breathing techniques or medication can help reduce stress and enhance mental and physical wellness.
• Get enough rest: Sleep is essential for maintaining optimal bodily functions. It’s important to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep every day, and sleeping differently can also have an impact on your mental health.
• Practice gratitude: It is beneficial to list your blessings in a journal or diary and to discuss them with others. Despite tough times, gratitude will help you overcome it by positively seeing life and situations. 
• Practice self-care: Engage in activities you love and find enjoyable, such as reading books, painting, gaming, or listening to music. It will make you feel happy and peaceful, which will assist you to achieve better mental health. 
• It’s okay to take time off: Many times, work pressure, workload, financial stresses, family situations, etc, can make a huge dent in our mental health. In such times, taking a short break and recovering your mental health is okay.

FAQs

What is World Mental Health Day?

October 10th is World Mental Health Day, a global campaign to promote mental health and raise awareness of mental health issues. It promotes improved mental health support and care, lessens stigma, and fosters dialogue.

What is the theme for World Mental Health Day 2024?

The theme for World Mental Health Day 2024 is ‘It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace“.

Why is mental health important?

Mental health is crucial for overall well-being as it affects how we think, feel, and behave. It affects our capacity to manage stress, build connections, make choices, and give back to society. Relationships, productivity at work, and physical health can all be impacted by poor mental health.

What are some common signs of mental health issues?

Prolonged melancholy, anxiety, changes in sleep or appetite, social disengagement, lack of interest in once-enjoyed hobbies, and trouble focusing are common symptoms. If these symptoms persist, it’s important to seek professional help.

How does physical health impact mental health?

Physical health and mental health are closely connected. Stress, anxiety, or sadness can be brought on by long-term medical issues, pain, or ailments like Asthma. Improving mental well-being can be achieved by managing stress, maintaining a balanced lifestyle, and scheduling routine physical examinations.

What we can do to reduce the stigma around mental health?

One way to lessen stigma is through having honest discussions, educating oneself and others, dispelling myths, and giving mental health problems the same priority as physical health. Encouraging people to seek help without judgment is crucial.