What is mental health?
Having good mental health is more than just not having any diagnosable mental disorders. In fact, the World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. Mental health concerns our emotional, psychological, and social well-being; it can affect our behaviour, mood, relationships, stress levels, and much more. Although sometimes overlooked, poor mental health can be life threatening if appropriate treatment is not given quickly.
How to maintain good mental health:
Mental health, like physical health, needs to be taken care of through practise, self-care, and support. Here are some tips for maintaining good mental health:
Diagnosis:
It is important to note that Major Depressive Disorder (depression), Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorders, and all other mental illnesses should only be diagnosed by consultation with a health professional. It is harmful to self-diagnose or diagnose others without proper training to do so. A full diagnostic evaluation - usually including an interview, questionnaires, and physical examination, needs to be conducted. Health professionals have years of education, training and clinical experience on how to arrive at a diagnosis and determine a course of action for treatment.
Depression:
Depression is a common and serious mental disorder that has a negative impact on how you feel, think, and behave. The signs of depression are: overall unhappiness, a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, low energy, and feelings of worthlessness. It can be debilitating and cause a number of other mental and physical issues, as well as negative impacts in your workplace, relationships, and home-life. Some risk-factors for depression include:
Anxiety:
It is normal to experience anxiety occasionally throughout our lives. Those struggling with anxiety disorders, however, experience severe, excessive, and persistent worrying and fear in ordinary and everyday settings. In order to be classified as a disorder, the anxiety and panic must interfere with daily activities, feel uncontrollable, and be out of proportion for the situation. Experiencing anxiety can be debilitating, as it may not go away and can actually get worse over time if you don't seek help. Several types of anxiety disorders exist, including:
Local Resources:
Sources:
Emergency Care for Professional Responders. (2019). Ottawa: Canadian Red Cross Society.
Having good mental health is more than just not having any diagnosable mental disorders. In fact, the World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. Mental health concerns our emotional, psychological, and social well-being; it can affect our behaviour, mood, relationships, stress levels, and much more. Although sometimes overlooked, poor mental health can be life threatening if appropriate treatment is not given quickly.
How to maintain good mental health:
Mental health, like physical health, needs to be taken care of through practise, self-care, and support. Here are some tips for maintaining good mental health:
- Surround yourself and create relationships with people who accept and support you
- Set realistic goals for yourself both personally and professionally
- Try new activities, keep a general routine, and maintain or start hobbies
- Express your thoughts and opinions on issues that are meaningful to you
- Exercise regularly and maintain healthy habits like drinking enough water and eating a balanced diet
- Take part in local events and get to know your neighbours and community
- Talk openly about your mental health, including your wants and needs
- Be honest with yourself and accept that seeking help is not weakness - it's strength
Diagnosis:
It is important to note that Major Depressive Disorder (depression), Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorders, and all other mental illnesses should only be diagnosed by consultation with a health professional. It is harmful to self-diagnose or diagnose others without proper training to do so. A full diagnostic evaluation - usually including an interview, questionnaires, and physical examination, needs to be conducted. Health professionals have years of education, training and clinical experience on how to arrive at a diagnosis and determine a course of action for treatment.
Depression:
Depression is a common and serious mental disorder that has a negative impact on how you feel, think, and behave. The signs of depression are: overall unhappiness, a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, low energy, and feelings of worthlessness. It can be debilitating and cause a number of other mental and physical issues, as well as negative impacts in your workplace, relationships, and home-life. Some risk-factors for depression include:
- Brain Chemistry: Variations in certain hormones or chemicals in the brain may increase your likeliness to experience symptoms of depression.
- Family: Some evidence supports a genetic link to depression - meaning that it can run in families.
- Personality traits: Those with low self-esteem, high stress levels, and pessimistic personality traits are more likely to experience symptoms of depression.
- Environment: Experiencing circumstances of violence, neglect, abuse or poverty can make you more likely to experience symptoms of depression.
Anxiety:
It is normal to experience anxiety occasionally throughout our lives. Those struggling with anxiety disorders, however, experience severe, excessive, and persistent worrying and fear in ordinary and everyday settings. In order to be classified as a disorder, the anxiety and panic must interfere with daily activities, feel uncontrollable, and be out of proportion for the situation. Experiencing anxiety can be debilitating, as it may not go away and can actually get worse over time if you don't seek help. Several types of anxiety disorders exist, including:
- Agoraphobia: anxiety and fear in environments or situations that make you feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed
- Panic disorder: frequent panic attacks (feelings of impending doom, shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness, and heart palpitations). These can cause worrying about their occurrence and avoiding situations where they've occurred.
- Social anxiety disorder: anxiety and fear of social situations. This may be caused by embarrassment, self-consciousness and fear of judgement by others.
- Specific phobias: anxiety, fear, and sometimes panic attacks when exposed to a specific object or environment.
Local Resources:
- In the event of a severe or emergency crisis, always call 911 (EMS) (Emergency Medical Services, EMS).
- For mental health, addiction, or crisis services in London, ON contact 519-433-2023 or 1-866-933-2023.
- For 24/7 support via text service in London, ON text 519-433-2023
- For people ages 17 to 25 in Ontario contact toll-free 1-866-925-5454
- For Indigenous peoples in Ontario contact toll-free 1-855-242-3310
Sources:
Emergency Care for Professional Responders. (2019). Ottawa: Canadian Red Cross Society.
ONSite Medical Response. Event Medical Service.
75 Trevithen Street | London Ontario | N6C 4T1
[email protected]
519-476-1668
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