What Is Mental Health?

Being mentally healthy means not suffering from severe depression, extreme anxiety, or some type of psychiatric illness. But it is more than that. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) says mental health is a state of well-being where people are generally able to enjoy life. That doesn’t mean they are always happy. But when stressful incidents do occur, they are able to cope with them in healthy ways and recover.  

When you are mentally healthy, you are a better co-worker, a better friend, and a better parent. You are able to contribute to your community. And when you are mentally healthy, you are able to get the most out of life and pursue your full potential. 

How Common Are Mental Health Problems?

You probably hear about mental health all the time. It’s in the news, you hear about it at your work, it’s on TV shows. But what IS mental health? And why is this important?

The first thing to know is that mental health is not some phony idea cooked up by greedy doctors. It is very real and very serious. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness:

• 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness each year
• 1 in 20 Americans experience a serious mental illness each year
• 1 in 6 youths ages 6 to 17 experiences a mental health disorder each year

Given how common these issues are, it should not be a surprise to know that among people aged 10 to 34, the second leading cause of death is suicide. 

There are wounds that never show on the body but deeper in the heart

What are the Causes of Mental Illness?

Mental illness is affected by many factors, including biological, socioeconomic, and environmental. Here are some common causes of mental illness:

Genetics: Experts believe mental illness may be caused by abnormalities in our genes. Thus, while someone may not directly inherit a mental illness from their parents, they may inherit a tendency to be more susceptible to developing one. 

Damage to the brain: Anything that causes damage to the brain can increase the risk of mental illness. This includes infections, injuries, and birth defects. 

Substance abuse: If a woman uses drugs during her pregnancy, it may increase the risk of her child being born with brain damage. Similarly, long-term use of drugs is associated with a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and paranoia. 

Environmental: Toxic chemicals may increase the risk of developing a mental illness. 

What are the Complications of Poor Mental Health?

People who do not have good mental health can experience a variety of problems. They have trouble coping with life’s everyday challenges. They may have difficulty in their relationships at home and at work. Their physical health may suffer. And when difficulties occur, it may be more than they can handle.

It’s just a part of our lives, but it is a very big part. In fact, it affects every aspect of our lives: How we think, how we feel, and what we do. It impacts our work, our self-image, and our relationships. As the World Health Organization says, “there is no health without mental health.”

What Can I Do if I Am Worried About My Mental Health?

There is one other thing to know: There is no shame in admitting you may be having a mental health problem. And that’s where the Mental Health Connection of Tarrant County comes into play. 

The Mental Health Connection of Tarrant County connects people with the services they need. Our member organizations are committed to revolutionizing the mental health service system and creating systemic changes to benefit members of our community. 

Whether it is a short-term problem or a chronic issue, MHC is ready to help people of all backgrounds connect with a professional, so they can recover and get back to enjoying their lives. And they are ready to help YOU.

To learn more about MCH’s services and how you can get involved, got to mentalhealthconnection.org. 

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