Wendel AbelWendel Abel
STATISTICS RELEASED by the World Health Organisation shows that over 450 million people worldwide are affected by mental problems. One in four persons seeking medical help has mental health problems.
No other group of disorders is associated with greater stigma and shame and many persons who have mental illness
experience undue suffering, social isolation and poor quality of life. Due to stigma and shame many persons do not seek help.
Mental health is common and preventable. Here are some tips to take greater responsibility for your mental health.
1. Physical exercise: This is important to your mental health. Studies have shown that walking reduces the risk of dementia and boosts mental
functions. This year, we encourage all our readers to become more active physically but we also encourage you all to join the Healthy Bee club which is the health club associated with the health feature of this newspaper. "The reality is what is good for you is also good for your brain."
2. Include meaningful
activity in your life: Learning, creativity, working and volunteering helps. Take up new hobbies and activities this year. Make this a special year by volunteering. There are many projects and organisations that will benefit from your help and assistance. Remember, it is in giving we receive, in loving we are loved and in spreading happiness we receive happiness.
3. Learn to manage stress: Stress reduction and relaxation techniques help to protect against common mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and stress-related disorders. Common and effective methods include meditation which helps to refocus your attention and calm your body.
4. Positive thinking: In
general, people who think positively enjoy a better quality of life and enjoy improved mental health. Positive thinking makes your life happier, richer and longer. Create positive expectations of yourself, establish positive relationships and learn to live happily. This year, we implore you to adopt a healthy and realistic self-image. Avoid constant complaining and assume a more positive outlook. We will continue to share strategies and techniques with you to promote this in this column.
5. Social support: Families, friends and involvement in social activities are important. People who have a better social support system enjoy not only good mental health but better health in general. A solid
support system helps to buffer against stress, bolster us in the face of adversities. On the other hand, social isolation may contribute to depression, leads to poor self-esteem and sense of purpose. So this year, reconnect with loved ones and recommit yourself in your relationships.
6. Learn to ventilate more: Overwhelmed and overburdened? It helps to share your problems. It does not help to have all that pain and hurt
bottled up. Talk and get it off your chest! This year, let us all resolve to be better listeners
in our relationships, to our
children, our spouse and our
colleagues.
7. Seek professional help: Sometimes this becomes necessary. To seek professional help does not indicate weakness or failure. In fact, many more relationships can be saved, many more problems can be solved and fewer persons will become ill if professional help is sought. Remember, mental health professionals treat normal people with normal problems.
8. Submit to a higher power: Whoever you consider that power to be, regardless of creed, religion or denomination, spirituality is important to us and a spiritual connection enhances mental health.
Dr. Wendel Abel is a consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer at the University of the West Indies; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
