“Common mental health issues include anxiety disorders, mood disorders (such as depression and bipolar disorder), personality disorders (e.g. narcissistic behaviors), and psychotic disorders. If you notice any of these issues, it is advisable to seek professional help”
By Chidera Eke, News/Comments
Year in year out, the media is always agog with news of individuals committing suicide. Some of whom are close friends or relatives. There were allegations that Nick Imudia, the former chief executive officer (CEO) of Konga, who recently passed away, committed suicide, but this news was later debunked by his family members. We hear about incidents like this in the news, on social media, or some of us might have witnessed them nearby.
As a teenager, I know a woman who lived in the same neighborhood who committed suicide while her family was away. She sent a small child to a local store known as a “mallam shop” in Lagos to buy the popular insecticide, “sniper.” Unfortunately, after taking it, she died, leaving her children without a parent. I was deeply shocked and scared at the time of this incident, and many people were surprised by her death because she was always smiling and friendly with everyone around her.
Sadly, suicide knows no bound, both the rich and the poor commits it, why, maybe depression or badly hidden circumstance. However, when someone hears about such case, what comes often time is; does taking one’s life necessary, or should any circumstance make anyone do things of everlasting tragic, the answer is certainly, no. Taking one’s life is sacrilege in many customs or traditions.
The human mind and brain have become so fragile to stress that many individuals are beginning to experience depression. At first, I thought it was poverty or lack of education that leads to the idea of suicide. Certainly, I don’t think so. Debatably, it comes as a surprise that a significant number of educated and financially stable individuals have also been reported to have committed suicide. This makes me want to understand why these things happen and what mental state these individuals were when they decided to take their own lives.
Mental health
Mental health is a vital aspect of our overall well-being. According to WHO, there is no single ‘official’ definition of mental health. Mental health refers to a person’s psychological, emotional, and social well-being; it influences what they feel and how they think, and behave. The state of cognitive and behavioural well-being is referred to as mental health. The term ‘mental health’ is also used to refer to the absence of mental disease.
In a world where everyone is trying to keep up with different trends and lifestyles, people often push themselves beyond their limits to fulfill the needs and desires of others, sometimes at the expense of their own mental well-being. This behavior is observed in the workplace, family gatherings, and also on social media. Society has normalized the act of comparing, mocking, and bullying those they perceive as weak, while showing respect and admiration for those they view as strong. Little consideration is given to the mental state of individuals and the impact these actions may have on their lives. While there are numerous reasons contributing to the deterioration of mental health, here are some key factors, like biological, psychological, environmental, socio-economic among others.
Mental illnesses, which can also be cased by stress or a reaction to a specific incident, child abuse, or trauma, sometimes affects women after childbirth in the form of postpartum depression (PPD). This condition is characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and anxiety. In severe cases, mothers may even experience intense and overwhelming feelings that lead them to attempt to harm their babies. Other research as shown that people with a “weak economic status” scored highest for mental health conditions, other cause biochemical imbalances, social disadvantage, poor physical health condition, etc.
Common mental health issues include anxiety disorders, mood disorders (such as depression and bipolar disorder), personality disorders (e.g. narcissistic behaviors), and psychotic disorders. If you notice any of these issues, it is advisable to seek professional help. You can also connect with your loved ones, family members, and friends, ensure you get enough sleep, practice mindfulness and meditation, and engage in regular exercise.
To obtain a good mental health one need to know that both physical and mental health are equally important for better performance and results.
What are your thought on how to improve mental health ?
For breaking news, call +2348028592006, +2348148704264, email us: afrikanwatch122@gmail.com. Follow us on twitter: @afrikanwatchm, facebook: afrikanwatch Network, afrikanwatch, www.afrikanwatchngr.com, instagram, @afrikanwatchm