MENTAL HEALTH: What can be done?

 PSYCHIATRY AREA

According to the World Health Organization, mental health is defined as a state of emotional and psychological well-being in which the individual is able to exploit his cognitive or emotional capacities, exercise his function within society, respond to daily demands of life, establish satisfy and mature relationships with others, participating constructively in changes in the environment, adapting to external conditions and internal conflicts. Mental health is an integral part of overall health, indispensable for individual and social functioning.

Among the top ten causes of disability globally, four are related to mental health depression, alcohol abuse disorders, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.

Even today, prejudices and taboos weigh on mental health, responsible for the heavy stigmatization of patients and their families and for barriers that actually hinder access to treatment. Psychic disorders are treatable, but not all are curable. But where a cure is not achievable, effective interventions can be adopted that can reduce the intensity, duration of symptoms, and consequences.

I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT MY MENTAL HEALTH

When you find yourself in a difficult moment it is not always easy to recognize the signs that indicate the presence of a psychic problem. Whether it's a transient or long-lasting ailment, it's important to know that it's possible to cure it, recover and return to having a good quality of life. It is therefore important not to hesitate to ask for help to find suitable solutions.

Here are some indications that can be useful to understand what is happening and to know what to do.

What can be done?

Many people have to deal with psychic difficulties throughout their lives. In some cases, it is possible to overcome these difficulties on your own. Other times, help is needed to overcome the discomfort.

There are many misconceptions about mental health, which is why it is difficult to talk about your doubts and suffering. Fear of judgment and shame can lead to hiding one's worries and isolating oneself.

Yet talking about your mental health concerns is often the first step in finding a solution to your problems. Family and friends, but also associations or professionals can help you overcome difficult moments with greater serenity.
See also the page " Talk about it ".

Asking for help isn't easy, but it's really worth it because it allows you to find solutions you hadn't thought of. And the sooner problems are addressed, the sooner a solution will be found.
See also the page " Ask for help ".

In some situations, it is possible that one's own psychic discomfort or that of a family member is so strong that one feels or is in real danger. This is an emergency situation. In these cases, it is necessary to refer to specialized services that can intervene quickly. See also the page « What to do in an emergency ».