Mental Health: How to know we need help?

1.What is mental health?

The World Health Organization calls mental health a "state of well-being". In this state, the individual can determine his or her own abilities, can cope with stressors in normal living conditions, can be productive and is able to contribute to the development of the community of which he or she is a part.

1. Mental health - basic characteristics:

- Mental health refers to our emotional and psychological well-being;

- It includes the ability to cope with everyday stressful situations and to adapt to life's changes;

- Mental health also includes our self-esteem. It is also the ability to manage our emotions and maintain healthy relationships with others.

2. Mental health influences our lives by:

- Directly influencing our thoughts, behavior and physical health;

- Good mental health helps us cope with daily challenges and achieve our goals;

- Lack of mental health can lead to various problems such as depression, anxiety, addiction and social isolation.

3. How to maintain good mental health:

- Regular physical activity and a healthy lifestyle;

- Maintaining a balance between work and leisure;

- Protecting healthy interpersonal relationships and support from loved ones and family;

- Seeking help from professionals when mental health disorders occur;

Itis important to recognize the importance of mental health and the need for focused and ongoing efforts to improve and maintain it..

2.Issues related to impaired mental health

As a result of sedentary lifestyles, stress, social isolation and other negative environmental factors, more and more people nowadays have impaired mental health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 450 million people worldwide suffer from some type of mental health disorder. This represents a serious difficulty that requires more attention and understanding from society.

The most common problems associated with impaired mental health are:

1.Stress and anxiety:

Stress is a normal response of the body, but prolonged levels of stress can lead to anxiety and depression. Experts recommend regular physical activity, a healthy diet and practices such as meditation and yoga to help manage anxiety.

2.Depression:

Depression is a serious mental condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is important to note that depression is not just a "bad mood" and requires professional help. Psychotherapy, medication and support from loved ones are commonly recommended methods of treating depression.

3.Stigma and discrimination:

We live in a society that still faces prejudice and discrimination against people with mental health disorders. It is important to fight this stigma and support people who struggle with mental health issues. Education and awareness are key factors in changing societal attitudes towards mental health.

4.Support and treatment:

It is important that people with mental health problems receive support from their family, friends and professionals. Psychotherapy, counselling with a psychiatrist or psychologist, and joining support groups can help people cope with their problems and find ways to recover their mental health.

Complications related to impaired mental health are a serious and increasingly prevalent topic in our society. We provide you with that here:

3.List of mental illnesses

Professionals use the term "disorder" to define different types of conditions. It is a term that is also found in two of the most important reference books in the field of psychology and psychiatry: the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the American Psychiatric Association and World Health Organization's Classification of Mental and Behavioral Disorders (ICD), which states that a disorder is: "a set of clinically recognizable symptoms or behaviors associated in most cases with discomfort or interference with a person's functioning".

Classifications into different categories are made taking into account the period in which they occur, the causes or the function of the body that isaffected.

If mental illnesses were to be systematized into a list, it might look somethinglike this:

1. Depression:

- Depression is a common mental condition characterized by loss of interest and pleasure in life, decreased energy and mood;

- It can lead to significant functional problems and affect all aspects of the affected persons life.

2. Anxiety:

- Anxiety is another common mental illness that is characterized by intense worry, fear and tension;

- Anxiety can manifest in different forms. Such can be general anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety and phobias.

3. Schizophrenia:

- Schizophrenia is another serious mental disorder that clouds the thinking, perception and behavior of those affected;

- It is characterized by the presence of hallucinations, paranoia, thought disorders and social isolation.

4. Bipolar disorder:

- Bipolar disorder is a psychologically indicated mood change that is characterized by mood swings between episodes of depression and mania;

- Possible symptoms include euphoria, decreased need for sleep, irritability, and erratic behavior.

5. Psychosis:

- Psychosis is a condition in which affected individuals lose contact with reality and experience hallucinations and illusions;

- This condition can be caused by a variety of factors, including schizophrenia and drugs.

As you can see for yourself, mental illness is serious and affects many people. Here we have mentioned only some of the most common mental illnesses, but the list is by no means exhaustive. It is important to realize that mental disorders are real and need to be treated with serious, responsible and appropriate treatment. Such can be obtained by:

4.Supporting mental health organizations through the PavelAndreev. BG platform

At a time when more and more people are facing mental health issues, supporting organizations working in this field has an increasingly important role in society. These organisations aim to provide information, advice and support to people struggling with a variety of mental health challenges.

It is important for everyone to understand how they can help people achieve better mental wellbeing.

Read more in our article about:

• Mental health: what it is and why awareness is important

First and foremost, it is important to organise fundraising campaigns to support organisations dealing with mental health issues. Such provide valuable information about different mental health conditions and how one can define and try to cope withthem.

Organisations provide access to research, statistics and practical advice to help people understand and manage their emotions and thoughts. This information is leading the way to better understanding and awareness of mental health.

Specific services are also available to support people with mental health problems. Acharity campaign could be planned to provide free consultations with psychologists and psychiatrists to help people cope with their problems and develop effective strategies for managing stress and anxiety .

Alongside this, some organisations offer group support sessions that allow anyone to share their experiences and find help from people who are experiencing similar situations to them. This can also be funded, through charity campaigns.

Organisations also play an important role in tackling mental health stigma. People are often afraid to talk openly about their problems or seek help for fear of judgement and rejection. Working actively on charity campaigns to raise awareness of mental health and towards changing public opinion, contributes to creating a more tolerant and understanding environment. Running charity awareness campaigns aim to break down stereotypes and encourage open communication about mental health.

Check out all the campaigns at PavelAndreev.ORG or start yours now.

Donation campaigns can also be organised to support individuals with poor mental health or organisations working in the field of mental health. Such campaigns can be launched through the donation platform RavelAndreev.BG.

Supporting mental health organisations is essential for our society. These organizations provide valuable information, counseling, group support sessions, and fight stigma about psychological problems and illnesses. They are also committed tothe prevention of mental illness by providing resources for healthy living .

It is only through the collaborative efforts of organisations and the community that it is possible to achieve a better understanding and support for people struggling with mental health issues. Be active, get involved, donate or start your own fundraising campaign now!