Mental health is an integral part of health and plays an important role in the overall health of individuals, families, communities and nations. Indeed, there is no health without mental health. It is therefore necessary to include mental health in preventive, curative and rehabilitative healthcare services in every stage of human life.
Mental health and substance use disorders affect 13% of the world's population. That number could increase as people around the world shelter in place and adjust to a new normal amid the coronavirus pandemic. 970 million people were found to be suffering from a mental health or substance abuse disorder. Anxiety is the most common mental illness in the world affecting 284 million people. Globally, mental illness affects more females (11.9%) than males (9.3%). It is estimated that depressive illness would be the second largest contributor to the economic burden of disease worldwide. Mental illnesses are major causes of disabilities contributing 30% of total disabilities.
According to latest report, over 15 million people in Pakistan are suffering from some form of mental illness. There are only 400 to 600 trained psychiatrists to help people.
Most Common Psychiatric Illnesses
The most common psychiatric illness which affect mental well-being are:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders
- Catatonia
- Bipolar and Related Disorders
- Depressive Disorders
- Anxiety Disorders
- Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
- Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders
- Dissociative Disorders
- Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
- Feeding and Eating Disorders
- Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders
- Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
- Neurocognitive Disorders
- Personality Disorders
Causes of Mental Illnesses
Mental illnesses, in general, are thought to be caused by a variety of genetic and environmental factors:
- Inherited traits: Mental illness is more common in people whose blood relatives also have a mental illness. Certain genes may increase your risk of developing a mental illness, and your life situation may trigger it
- Environmental exposures before birth: Exposure to environmental stressors, inflammatory conditions, toxins, alcohol or drugs while in the womb can sometimes be linked to mental illness
- Brain chemistry: Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that carry signals to other parts of your brain and body. When the neural networks involving these chemicals are impaired, the function of nerve receptors and nerve systems change, leading to depression and other emotional disorders
Risk Factors
Certain factors may increase your risk of developing a mental illness, including:
- A history of mental illness in a blood relative, such as a parent or sibling
- Stressful life situations, such as financial problems, a loved one's death or a divorce
- An ongoing (chronic) medical condition, such as diabetes
- Brain damage as a result of a serious injury (traumatic brain injury), such as a violent blow to the head
- Traumatic experiences, such as military combat or assault
- Use of alcohol or recreational drugs
- A childhood history of abuse or neglect
- Few friends or few healthy relationships
- A previous mental illness
Components of Health Promotion
The core components of health promotion are enlisted below:
- Build healthy public policy
- Create supportive environment
- Strengthen community actions
- Develop personal skills
- Reorient health services
Strategies
The health strategy focuses on the following points:
- Health education
- Health communication
- Community development
- Organizational development and change
- Healthy public policy
- Advocacy
- Inter sectoral collaboration
- Self-help and mutual aid
Approach in Mental Health Promotion
In order to promote mental health, the following points must the catered:
- Increase emotional resilience through interventions
- Design to promote self-esteem
- Strengthening individuals, communities and society, increase social support
- Social inclusion and participation
- Campaign against stigma
- Reducing structural barriers to mental health
- Demystification of mental illnesses