Mental Health issues are quickly gaining importance. Mental health affects all aspects of an individual’s life, whether social relationships, school, work, or physical well-being. Covid-19 has only supplemented this issue, with the World Health Organization estimating a 25% increase in anxiety and depression worldwide.
Depression is regarded as a severe public health problem by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hence, the role of public health professionals in this regard is more crucial than ever. With every 1 in 5 Americans suffering from a mental illness, identifying, preventing, and treating these conditions is the need of the hour.
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According to hospitals and state health officials, there are now two to three times as many patients visiting than there were before COVID. Matters such as being under lockdown, reduced incomes, and unemployment have become a source of mental stress for everybody. Lockdowns also meant that schools were closed, forcing students to stay home. This social isolation was detrimental to their mental health.
Covid has been a burden on the healthcare system in general, but it has particularly affected the public health sector. With people seeking help from mental health professionals at an all-time high, there is an increased demand for public health professionals. It is essential that more people join the public health profession to tackle this increasing demand. If this opportunity interests you, consider opting for a degree in public administration. Ohio University offers a master in public administration online as part of its online graduate degree program. By pursuing this degree, you can lead policy-making and better manage mental health crises.
Let us look at how mental health issues affect an individual at various levels.
Effect on Education
A mental illness can have a detrimental effect on a child’s school life. Someone with a mental health issue would have low motivation, which would be reflected in their grades and overall performance. They may have trouble focusing during lectures. Failing their education could lead to a road that ends with an unhappy professional life. They might not be able to get a career of their choice and would not be content.
The child will also be of concern to the school. Not only will they be responsible for providing a counselor for the affected student, but they will also address the psychological impact on other students and teachers.
Effect on Social Relationships
A mental illness can cause additional challenges to the ups and downs of relationships. Adults with mental conditions tend to isolate themselves and shut themselves off from their partners and friends. This leads to a breakdown of communication and arguments. And without help, this may result in divorce, affecting the entire family, including the children.
Children who suffer from mental illness may shut themselves off. As a result, they might not develop the necessary social skills to succeed in life. Children often start blaming themselves when mental health issues are persistent in a family. The self-blaming would further drive the child into depression.
These mental issues also put a financial strain on the family. A mentally unwell adult might not work and hence lack income. The cost of therapy to help deal with these mental issues is also significant.
Effect on Work
The World Health Organization estimates that lost productivity from depression and anxiety alone costs the world economy one trillion dollars annually. A person suffering from a mental health issue has decreased motivation, lack of focus, and general irritability. This may lead to reduced productivity or unemployment. People with severe mental illnesses are more likely to be turned down for jobs.
The mental health issues of an individual have an unpleasant effect on coworkers as well. The company will have to be ready to deal with all of this.
Getting laid off from work is particularly troublesome as it further exacerbates the problem and may revoke the individual’s health insurance. The absence of income can result in poverty and a low standard of living.
People with mental health disorders have a right to equitable and full participation in the workforce. Companies should offer mental health services to aid staff members through trying times.
Effect on Physical Well-Being
The peculiar thing about mental health issues is that they affect not only the mental well-being but also the physical well-being of an individual. Numerous studies have established the relationship between poor mental health with conditions such as heart attack or stroke. The most common mental health issue, depression, can lead to chronic diseases like diabetes, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases.
Several physical conditions stem from isolation and lack of physical activity. A person suffering from depression is likely to stay alone and not participate in physical exercise, which increases the probability of developing illnesses.
Mental health issues are commonly accompanied by insomnia.
Insomnia exposes the individual to several conditions ranging from headaches to a weakened immune system. It is due to these severe concerns that prompt, professional help should be sought.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Substance abuse, alcoholism, and drug addiction are hard enough without mental health issues. When dealing with these issues, it is easy to look at drugs to escape your problems. Compared to people without mental health issues, those with mental illness use harmful substances at higher rates.
The Journal of the American Medical Association reports state that:
- About half of those with severe mental illnesses are also harmed by substance misuse.
- Fifty-three percent of drug abusers and thirty-seven percent of alcohol abusers also have significant mental diseases.
- Twenty-nine percent of those with mental illness abuse alcohol or drugs.
Substance abuse poses a significant burden on the healthcare system. Additionally, substance addiction raises the likelihood of running afoul of the law. Hence, resources have to be spared for the rehabilitation of these people.
Conclusion
As mental health issues are gaining more awareness, it is essential to screen people from a young age. People with mental disorders not only hurt themselves but also have an impact on those around them. These people fall into a vicious cycle, and the only way out of it is by receiving help. Public health professionals can play a vital role in this case, helping entire communities by creating awareness, preventing these illnesses, and providing the necessary care.