You are how you feel. Our mental health care determines our self-esteem, how we think, connect with others, deal with stress, and our performance in many other daily activities, this is according to Dr. Lerato Motshudi, medical manager at Netcare Akeso.
Motshudi says same person can function and respond to stressful situations very differently depending on whether they are optimally well, both emotionally and physically, or if they are feeling overwhelmed or strained under the burden of depression, anxiety, or substance use, to name just a few examples.
Mental Illness Can Happen To Anyone
It is easy to want to believe that mental illness could never happen to us, our loved ones, or our valued colleagues, but the truth is it can happen to anyone, and an estimated one in five people has suicidal thoughts in their lifetime. Many more people silently struggle with other mental health issues that hold them back from fulfilling their true potential in all spheres of life.
Mental Health Crisis
Also, a mental health crisis such as a panic attack can suddenly occur in someone who has been fully functional, yet without the necessary support, sometimes this may ultimately impair their ability to continue to cope in future.
Workplace Benefits
Even among people who are psychologically healthy, taking time to look after your emotional and mental health has benefits for your physical health, resilience in tough situations, the quality of your relationships, and in the workplace this tends to manifest in productivity, creativity and engagement levels.
Overall, mental health is an essential component of happiness, and employers have a vested interest in promoting awareness and
addressing misperceptions about mental health.
Six possible mental health warning signs
- Change in eating patterns – This may or may not be noticeable in weight loss or weight gain.
- Sleeping noticeably more or less than usual.
- Changes in mood – “The person may feel more irritable than usual or show aggression, sadness, or other signs that are out of character, persisting over weeks and perhaps not an expected response to life events,” says Dr Motshudi.
- Struggling to solve simple problems that usually would be
manageable. - Loss of desire to do activities previously enjoyed.
- Acting differently –
“If someone suddenly becomes socially withdrawn or displays a marked departure from their usual behaviour such as making illogical decisions or taking unnecessary risks, these are changes worth noting,” she says.
“It’s very important to remember that any of these warning signs can be present in anyone without signifying the presence of mental illness. Rather, it is a combination of these signs and symptoms, their impact on a person’s functioning, and the length of time and progression that can point to the possibility of a mental health issue.
“Although only a qualified healthcare professional can diagnose mental health disorders and provide suitable treatment options, the nature of the conditions such as depression may make it harder for the person to reach for the help they need,” Dr Motshudi says.
Take Action Now
If you notice signs that you, a friend, a colleague or a loved one may not be coping, have a frank conversation about it and reach for professional support before things deteriorate. At any time of the day or night, Netcare Akeso’s 24-hour Crisis Line’s registered counsellors are available on 0861 435 787 to listen and guide you on the options available for mental health care if
needed.
