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Society's Problem with Mental Health


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Mental Health is important.

Mental health is important to physical health.

Mental Health is important.

Mental health is good for our livelihoods.

Mental Health is important.

Okay cool, we’ve established that.


~ What about mental health? ~

Our mental health includes our emotional and psychological well-being, and affects how we think, feel, and act. Stress is a large detrimental contribution to mental health, and nowadays, I think we are all pretty stressed out.


~ Why don’t people just look for ways to get better? ~

There are many warning signs and symptoms that point out mental illnesses, although a lot of the time, can just be shaken off as a bad day. There are more than two hundred classified forms of mental illness, including depression, dementia, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders. Mental health can be affected by stress from a situation or a series of events, and mental illnesses can be caused by a reaction to genetics, biochemical imbalances, or environmental stress.

A negative mentality can also significantly impact one’s mental health. Constant negative thinking and negative feelings can lead to chronic stress, which can lead to a disruption in the body’s hormone balance and lowers your levels of happiness, as well as damage the immune system, and overall decrease the life of your lifespan!

However, with proper treatment, people can cope or recover.

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~ So why don’t people just go get help? ~

The first problem is society. We stigmatize mental health and treat it as less important than physical health. Our current-day society is starting to recognize mental health as important a little more, but there should be easier access to counseling and mental health resources.

Isn’t it kind of silly that schools teach health and sex-ed but do not cover mental health, which is just as important, if not more?

But why do we stigmatize mental illness? Stigma and discrimination can definitely contribute to and worsen someone’s mental health! But then again, why do we discriminate?

Because society stigmatizes mental health and makes it seem like those with mental illnesses are “different,” treatment and recovery are delayed.

When the public has negative attitudes towards mental illnesses, then the people with mental illness start to turn on themselves, feeling ashamed and embarrassed and wishing they were “normal.” And when those with mental illnesses are affected by the stigma in addition to their illnesses, the loved ones around them who support them are affected as well. In some cases, their cultures and familial values may keep them from seeking help from family members out of avoiding shame and critique. These are already several big factors that affect a person trying to live their life. And when they go and actually seek help, they can come upon institutional stigma, like monetary problems.

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~ So what are some ways to avoid having a mental health crisis? ~

  • Get help, either from family or friends, a professional or a support group

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  • Take time for yourself! And make sure you do so before you burn out.

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It’s okay to take a break from life once in a while! Once a week is okay too.

Maybe try and :

  • Do nothing

  • Take a nap

  • Take a bubble bath and focus on skin care

  • Go be social

  • Surround yourself with nature

  • Do something creative

  • Take care of your to-do list

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For some other ways to de-stress and focus on achieving or maintaining a positive mentality, check out my article "The Significance of a Positive Mentality."


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Some Hotlines and Support groups:

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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

General Crisis Text Line

  • Text SUPPORT to 741-741

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

  • Info Resources and Inquiries Branch: 301-443-3513

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

  • National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

The Trevor Project: (offers support to the LGBTQ+ young adult community)

National Eating Disorder Association Hotline

Dating Abuse and Domestic Violence Hotline

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Loveisrespect:

(focuses on young adult relationships and issues within LGBTQ+ relationships and family approval)


Veterans Association Crisis Line

The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans and Service members in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring VA responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text.

  • 800-274-8255 and Press 1

  • Text to 838255

National Call Center for Homeless Veterans

If you are or know a Veteran who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, you may contact the National VA Call Center for Homeless Veterans. These resources are also available to Veterans’ family members and friends, VA medical centers, VA partners, community agencies, and service providers.

  • 877-424-3838

War Vet Call Center

The War Vet Call Center is a confidential call center where combat Veterans and their families can call to talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in their readjustment to civilian life.

  • 877-927-8387

Real Warriors

Real Warriors, a program through the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE), provides information and resources about psychological health, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and traumatic brain injury

  • 866-966-1029

Women Veterans Call Center

The Women Veterans Call Center (WVCC) provides VA services and resources to women Veterans, their families, and caregivers. You can also chat online anonymously with a WVCC representative.

  • 855-829-6636




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Self-Care Support, Est. 2020

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