Mental Health Is Just As Important As Your Physical Health
May is , a time to prioritize our psychological well-being. Mental health is more than the absence of a condition; it embodies a state of well-being that nurtures a person's ability to flourish and thrive in their daily life. It involves emotional resilience, a sense of purpose, and the capacity to build fulfilling relationships that enhance our overall quality of life. But why stop there?
The Physical and Mental Health Connection
Mental and physical health are both crucial aspects of overall health鈥攁nd they are closely interconnected. By focusing on mental health, you can also improve your physical health, and the same is true in reverse.
Unlike other physical illnesses, mental illnesses originate in the brain. The brain, like any other organ, undergoes changes, healing, and injury based on life experiences. Mental illnesses can also affect the rest of the body. For example, depression increases the risk of developing chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. And poor physical health can adversely affect our mental health. Ongoing or chronic medical conditions like traumatic brain injury, cancer, and diabetes increase the risk of a mental health condition.
According to the (CDC), in 2023, one in four adults in the U.S. experienced a mental illness, while one in 20 experienced or dealt with a serious mental illness. If left untreated, serious mental illnesses can lead to significant emotional, behavioral, and physical health issues.
How Stigma Creates a Barrier to Care
A healthy mind is an inherent part of a healthy body. To see physical and mental health equally, you must move past existing stigma. Even as more individuals experience challenges with mental health and substance use disorder, the vast majority don't seek help because of stigma.
鈥淢ental health and mental illness affect nearly every family, yet stigma continues to create shame, fear, doubt, isolation, and misunderstanding. This stigma often prevents individuals from seeking the treatment they urgently need and deserve.鈥
When mental health disorders are perceived as choices that can be controlled, instead of recognizing them as medical conditions that can be managed and treated, it further isolates those who are suffering and fosters an atmosphere of blame and shame. Similarly, many individuals dealing with substance use disorder carry the burden of a societal viewpoint that sees substance use as a lack of willpower and view it as a problem that needs to be fixed.
The ambient feeling of guilt around mental health and substance use issues can cause those suffering to avoid seeking professional help or even seeking comfort and understanding from their peers and loved ones. Shame or guilt around depression or any other mental health condition is as outdated as thinking you are weak or flawed for needing to wear glasses.
Combatting Mental Health Stigma
Eldredge suggests shifting your thinking about mental health and working to combat stigma by:
- Finding help. If you have a painful toothache, you don't try to 鈥渢ough it out,鈥 so why would you do that with your psychological health? Mental illnesses may be more complex, but they can be treated just like diabetes or high blood pressure.
- Not letting stigma and shame drive you. While stigma can come from others, it very often comes from us as well. It's not a sign of weakness to acknowledge a mental health condition you may be facing. Instead, it's a sign of strength.
- Spending time with friends and loved ones. If you have a mental health concern, you may be reluctant to tell others about it. Be honest and open with those you care about so you鈥檙e not suffering alone. Talking openly about your mental health may inspire others to seek help.
- Speaking out against stigma. When the option presents itself, speak out against mental health stigma when you see it. Politely remind others that treatment for a mental health condition is just as important as getting treatment for a physical health condition.
鈥淯ntil we begin to view mental illness as a condition that affects the brain, just like we view illnesses that impact the heart or kidneys, we will continue to suffer from the harmful effects of stigma,鈥 Eldredge says. 鈥淎ddressing both our physical and mental health needs can greatly enhance our overall well-being.鈥
