October 10 is World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day is celebrated every 10th of October to raise awareness about mental health, its significance, and importance.
Our mental health is an important aspect of our lives as it includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is quite unfortunate that at this day and age, mental health is still viewed as taboo.
It is clearly evident that every nation was not ready for the associated mental health issues and the effect of long Covid. Having to deal with the pandemic, the world also struggles to cope with the effects of war in Ukraine, climate emergency, and cost of living crisis, all of which affects the well-being of world citizens.
In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) estimates that at least 3.6 million Filipinos are facing mental health issues during the pandemic, including depression, substance use disorders like alcoholism, and mood disorders like bipolar disorder. Covid-19 infection has been found to directly impact a person’s mental health. Recently, with the rising cost of basic goods and unemployment rate, the common Filipinos are faced with issues that could impact their mental health.
The most common health problems according to the World Health Organization are the following:
- Anxiety Disorders – excessive fear and worry and related behavioral disturbances resulting to significant distress or impairment in function
- Depression – in a depressive episode, the individual experiences depressed mood (feeling sad, irritable, empty) or a loss of pleasure or interest in activities, for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks. Other symptoms include poor concentration, feelings of excessive guilt or low self-worth, hopelessness about the future, thoughts about dying or suicide, disrupted sleep, changes in appetite or weight, and feeling especially tired or low in energy
- Bipolar Disorder – in a depressive episode, the person experiences depressed mood (feeling sad, irritable, empty) or a loss of pleasure or interest in activities, for most of the day, nearly every day. Manic symptoms may include euphoria or irritability, increased activity or energy, and other symptoms such as increased talkativeness, racing thoughts, increased self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, distractibility, and impulsive reckless behavior
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – prevalent in conflict-affected settings. It may develop from exposure to an extremely threatening or horrific event or series of events. It is characterized by the following: 1) re-experiencing the traumatic event or events in the present (intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares); 2) avoidance of thoughts and memories of the event(s), or avoidance of activities, situations, or people reminiscent of the event(s); and 3) persistent perceptions of heightened current threat
- Schizophrenia – characterized by significant impairments in perception and changes in behavior. Symptoms may include persistent delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, highly disorganized behavior, or extreme agitation
Treatment depends on the type of mental illness, its severity, and how the patient responds to the treatment. Oftentimes, a combination of treatments works best, together with a team of doctors, social workers, family members to ensure the medical and social needs are met. These treatments include medications, psychotherapy, brain-stimulation treatments, hospital, and residential treatment programs.
This year’s theme is, “Make mental health for all a global priority.” It is an opportunity to talk about mental health, urge to eliminate the stigma, and promote awareness and encourage seeking treatment.
If you are suffering from any of the above, the DOH has a dedicated hotline aimed to listen and assist you address your mental health needs.
October 10 is World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day is celebrated every 10th of October to raise awareness about mental health, its significance, and importance.
Our mental health is an important aspect of our lives as it includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is quite unfortunate that at this day and age, mental health is still viewed as taboo.
It is clearly evident that every nation was not ready for the associated mental health issues and the effect of long Covid. Having to deal with the pandemic, the world also struggles to cope with the effects of war in Ukraine, climate emergency, and cost of living crisis, all of which affects the well-being of world citizens.
In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) estimates that at least 3.6 million Filipinos are facing mental health issues during the pandemic, including depression, substance use disorders like alcoholism, and mood disorders like bipolar disorder. Covid-19 infection has been found to directly impact a person’s mental health. Recently, with the rising cost of basic goods and unemployment rate, the common Filipinos are faced with issues that could impact their mental health.
The most common health problems according to the World Health Organization are the following:
- Anxiety Disorders – excessive fear and worry and related behavioral disturbances resulting to significant distress or impairment in function
- Depression – in a depressive episode, the individual experiences depressed mood (feeling sad, irritable, empty) or a loss of pleasure or interest in activities, for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks. Other symptoms include poor concentration, feelings of excessive guilt or low self-worth, hopelessness about the future, thoughts about dying or suicide, disrupted sleep, changes in appetite or weight, and feeling especially tired or low in energy
- Bipolar Disorder – in a depressive episode, the person experiences depressed mood (feeling sad, irritable, empty) or a loss of pleasure or interest in activities, for most of the day, nearly every day. Manic symptoms may include euphoria or irritability, increased activity or energy, and other symptoms such as increased talkativeness, racing thoughts, increased self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, distractibility, and impulsive reckless behavior
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – prevalent in conflict-affected settings. It may develop from exposure to an extremely threatening or horrific event or series of events. It is characterized by the following: 1) re-experiencing the traumatic event or events in the present (intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares); 2) avoidance of thoughts and memories of the event(s), or avoidance of activities, situations, or people reminiscent of the event(s); and 3) persistent perceptions of heightened current threat
- Schizophrenia – characterized by significant impairments in perception and changes in behavior. Symptoms may include persistent delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, highly disorganized behavior, or extreme agitation
Treatment depends on the type of mental illness, its severity, and how the patient responds to the treatment. Oftentimes, a combination of treatments works best, together with a team of doctors, social workers, family members to ensure the medical and social needs are met. These treatments include medications, psychotherapy, brain-stimulation treatments, hospital, and residential treatment programs.
This year’s theme is, “Make mental health for all a global priority.” It is an opportunity to talk about mental health, urge to eliminate the stigma, and promote awareness and encourage seeking treatment.
If you are suffering from any of the above, the DOH has a dedicated hotline aimed to listen and assist you address your mental health needs.