Just as we take care of our physical health, it is very important to maintain good mental health to avoid impacts on our quality of life and on our work or school performance.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are around 450 million people worldwide who suffer from some type of mental disorder.
The Federal Ministry of Health estimates that of the 15 million people in Mexico who suffer from a mental disorder, the majority are young adults of working age.
Mental health is not merely the absence of mental disorders; it is defined as a state of well-being in which the individual recognizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, works productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.
How to maintain good mental health?
- You should try to have good eating habits
- Exercise regularly to stay physically and mentally fit
- Maintain good interpersonal relationships, practice tolerance, solidarity and respect.
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol consumption
- Sleep at least 8 hours a day; a good daily rest makes a difference.
- Carry out social, recreational, cultural and sports activities
- Promote the habit of reading: reading enriches attention span and increases memory, increases motivation and reduces stress.
- Stay engaged in productive and positive activities, spend time with family, and help with household chores.
How is a mental disorder diagnosed?
Mental health and mental disorders are not two opposing concepts; they are detected and diagnosed clinically, just like any other illness. Observing a person's behavior in their daily life, their emotional management, how they cope with their own stress, their relationships with others, and their behavior in difficult or traumatic situations can help us establish the characteristics of their mental health.
The most common diagnoses among the population are:
- Depression
- Anxiety Disorders
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- Autism
- Eating disorders
Treatment
Mental disorders originate from multiple factors that affect everyone regardless of race, gender, or age. These are often linked to genetic, psychological, neurological, environmental, or social factors, among others. Therefore, their treatment requires a multidisciplinary team (doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists) whose goal is to improve the individual's quality of life. See a specialist if you experience any of these symptoms; your mental health is the most important thing.
