TW// eating disorders, trauma, substance abuse, self-harm
What is Mental Health?
Let’s start off with Mental Health since it’s connected to mental illness, but they are two different things. Mental health is the social/emotional/psychological part of our being. Similar to how we have our physical health, mental health is something we also have as well. This can affect how we think, feel, and act. If you do suffer from mental health problems you may experience a change in your thinking, behavior, and mood. Things such as biological factors, trauma or abuse, and family history of mental health problems can factor into your mental health.
Warning Signs of Worsening Mental Health:
•An abuse of alcoholic beverages and drugs
•Keeping away from other people
•Sleeping/Eating too much or too little
•Feeling helpless or hopeless
•Inability to do simple tasks
•Arguing with friends and family
•Mood swings with the feeling of self-harming or harming others
How To Heighten Mental Health :
•Seek professional help
•become physically active
•Get a good amount of sleep
•Help others
•Develop good coping skills
Now, what about Mental Illness?
Mental Illness seriously affects one in twenty-five Americans as they get diagnosed with illnesses such as bipolar disorder. Mental illness tends to be episodic, or occur over a short period of time, but in some cases, they’re long-lasting. Examples of these types of illnesses include Anxiety Disorder, ADHD, Borderline Personality Disorder, Depression, and Eating Disorders.
The Glorification of Mental Illness:
In social media, especially among young-adults and pre-teens, mental illness is glorified. They do it so they can be sympathized with as well because they desire to experience such illnesses. With such things as depression, those who aren’t diagnosed with it might say they have depression just so they can say they are sad, when depression is more than that. Things like anxiety disorder are “connected” with shyness and that’s not the case at all. So basically mental health is something we all have, while mental illness is a condition that only some people will have to face.
Resources:
If you or someone you know are in need of assistance please use these sources:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Crisis Text Line
Text “HELLO” to 741741
(If you are struggling please remember you are loved, you are worth it, we are all here for you ❤️)
Sources:
The glorification of mental illness worsens cultural stigma | Opinions | collegiatetimes.com
What Is Mental Health? | MentalHealth.gov
Learn About Mental Health - Mental Health - CDC
Writer - Adrian Navarro
Editor - Avani Sood
Graphics - Akshaya
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