Explains what mental health disorders are, how they are caused, and the numerous sorts of help, counselling, and support available. There’s also guidance for friends and family and where to acquire additional information.
Mental health is similar to physical health: everyone has it, and we must take care of it.
Being able to think, feel, and behave in the ways you need and desire to live your life is a sign of good mental health. However, if you have a period of poor mental health, you may find it difficult, if not impossible, to manage the ways you frequently think, feel, or react. This can be equally as severe as, if not worse than, a physical disease.
One out of every four people is affected by mental illness in any given year. They include everything from depression and anxiety to schizophrenia and bipolar disease, which are more uncommon.
What’s it like to struggle with mental illness?
This animation describes mental health issues and how they might affect us.
Is it just me who thinks this way?
Having a mental health issue can be unpleasant, puzzling, and frightening, especially first. You may believe that becoming ill is a sign of weakness or that you are ‘becoming insane.’
These worries are frequently exacerbated by the harsh (and often unrealistic) portrayal of people with mental health disorders on television, in films, and the media. This may make it difficult to talk about your concerns or seek treatment. As a result, your distress and sensation of isolation are likely to worsen.
On the other hand, mental health issues are a common human experience.
Most individuals know someone who has struggled with mental illness. They can affect people of various ages and walks of life. And you’ll likely get better once you find a combination of self-care, treatment, and support that works for you.
Various viewpoints on mental health and mental disease
Around the world, several approaches to mental health and mental disease exist. In the United Kingdom, most health professionals agree on clinical diagnoses and treatments for mental health issues. We choose to represent this approach in our material because these are the phrases and treatment models most likely to be encountered if you seek help in England or Wales.
However, not everyone finds this method of thinking about mental health benefits. You may have different notions about coping depending on your traditions and beliefs. Emotional well-being is directly linked to religion or spiritual life in many cultures. And your traumatic experiences may only be a small portion of how you perceive your identity as a whole.
Many people have told us that using the phrase “mental health difficulties” is useful to them. However, terminology like ‘bad mental health,’ ‘overloaded,’ ‘burnt out,’ and ‘overwhelmed’ may be more recognisable. Alternatively, you may believe that terminology like mental illness or mental health difficulties better represent your experiences or are easier to explain to others.
Whatever language you like to use to describe your own experiences, we hope you will find the material on these pages helpful when considering alternative options for care and assistance.
