Surprising predictions part 4

 The Crisis and Cure of Mental Health

Imagine you have no control over your thoughts and emotions, that you are constantly plagued by anxiety and depression, or that you are so severely disturbed that you are unable to function in day-to-day life. This is the reality of individuals suffering from mental illness, and it’s an issue that needs to be addressed immediately to ensure those suffering receive the help they need. In this blog post I will discuss the crisis and cure of mental health in our society today, as well as propose my plan to address this issue on both an individual and societal level.

What is mental health

Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. And it influences how we take care of ourselves, both physically and emotionally. Mental health challenges come from every aspect of life: your family; your culture; your home; the media; and what you do at school or on the job. How much time you spend on homework, playing games, watching TV; participating in extracurricular activities. How much time you spend with friends or by yourself. Your physical fitness and nutrition levels. Your level of sleep and exercise. How many hours of sunlight you get each day (or if you're inside all day). The quality of air where you live or go to school (high levels of air pollution may contribute to symptoms). How safe your neighborhood is (a lack for safety increases feelings of fear and anxiety). All these things are important for our mental health because they help us maintain stable moods, control impulses, and establish fulfilling relationships with other people. When one or more of these areas suffers, our mental health suffers too. So how does one know when their mental health needs attention? Here are some signs that your mental health may be suffering: 

A general sense of unhappiness, emptiness, depression 

Feeling irritable and angry 

Being very anxious about problems and often feeling like you have no solutions 

Having low self-esteem 

Feeling hopeless about the future 

Losing interest in everyday activities that were once pleasurable to you Suffering from a memory loss that lasts more than 24 hours 

Experiencing panic attacks or hallucinations

Why it’s important

Mental health is an important issue because it affects so many people. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five adults in the United States suffers from a mental illness. That’s a lot of people! And mental illness doesn’t just affect adults; children and teens can suffer from mental health problems, too. For example, depression has risen by 33% among teenagers between 2005 and 2014. These statistics are alarming not only because they show how prevalent mental illness is but also because they indicate that there are likely more instances of mental illnesses than we realize due to lack of diagnosis or misdiagnosis. 

What’s the crisis? Mental illnesses are often stigmatized and many don’t have access to proper treatment for their illnesses. Furthermore, in some cases where treatment was sought, insurance companies refused coverage for treatments such as Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). What should be done? The first step is acknowledging that mental health is an issue and making resources available to those who need them. Proper care should be provided, with consideration given to individual needs, taking into account factors like socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, geographic location etc. It would also help if more information about mental illness were available so that both patients and physicians had better insight into what to expect with different types of treatments (e.g., talk therapy vs ECT). As mentioned before, education could also help create awareness about the prevalence of mental illness and destigmatize it. After all, stigma may lead people suffering from mental illness to avoid seeking out treatment which worsens symptoms or prevents sufferers from getting proper diagnosis in the first place. Finally, policy change could be necessary when it comes to coverage for treatments like ECT because without this change less people will seek out treatment which leads to even worse consequences down the line including suicide.

Mental health disorders are a widespread problem affecting 20% of adults in America alone. Many believe that people living with mental illness have trouble receiving adequate treatment due to social stigmas surrounding the condition. Some insurance companies refuse coverage for treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy, which has been shown to provide significant relief in many cases. In order to make a change, it's imperative that steps are taken to raise awareness about the seriousness of mental health issues and make resources available for those who need them. We cannot stop until every person with a mental disorder gets the treatment they deserve. There is still much work to do in terms of raising awareness and providing necessary services, but together we can end the stigma around mental illness.

Preventive measures

Mental health is often viewed as a taboo topic, but it’s important to open up the conversation in order to destigmatize it. There are many things that can be done in order to prevent mental health issues, such as eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, making sure you get enough sleep and surrounding yourself with positive people. If you think someone might have a mental illness, there are steps you can take to support them including educating yourself on the symptoms, being patient and understanding and reassuring them they will get better. Support from friends and family is essential for treatment. We should not let these disorders isolate people or cause shame or stigma. Asking for help does not make someone weak or incapable; we need to see mental illness for what it really is- a chronic condition which may need continuous care and management over time. It is also possible to recover completely from mental illness, however this is rare. Instead of seeing it as an end point, we should view it as an ongoing process for life. The first step towards recovery is admitting one has a problem and seeking help. It’s ok to ask for assistance if you feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable by your own thoughts and feelings- talking about them with others can provide relief and lead to peace of mind. Unsurprisingly, suicide rates are high among those who suffer from untreated mental illnesses because their emotional pain and anxiety become unbearable. 

In cases where psychotherapy doesn't work, medication is recommended because it helps change brain chemistry so patients can function normally again. Medication doesn't always work for everyone though so combining both approaches may be necessary in some cases. 

Unfortunately, due to lack of knowledge about how to address mental health, most patients don't receive any type of intervention until their situation worsens drastically. 

Although progress has been made since President Kennedy declared a national crisis in 1963 when he established the Community Mental Health Act (CMHA), much still needs to be done. For example, the National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that nearly half of adults suffering from depression and other serious mental illnesses do not receive treatment. Furthermore, young adults are at a higher risk for developing mental health problems than any other age group, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Due to this alarming statistic, it's imperative we create new prevention strategies focused on early detection. Steps like identifying signs of depression in children early could save countless lives. More importantly, it would allow more children struggling with mental illness access to effective treatments before their conditions worsen into something more serious like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia which can result in lifelong disabilities. It is our responsibility to educate ourselves on mental health, know the warning signs and look out for our loved ones. Families and friends can be a big part of the solution and can play a crucial role in getting people the help they need. 

Mental illness is not something to be ashamed of or afraid of, it affects millions of Americans every year. Together we can improve the state of mental health for future generations. Mental illness is not something to be ashamed of or afraid of, it affects millions of Americans every year. Now is the time to start doing something about it.

Symptoms and triggers

There are many symptoms and triggers associated with mental health. They can include feeling anxious, depressed, or stressed; feeling isolated or lonely; feeling hopeless or helpless; feeling like you're not good enough; having low self-esteem; or abusing drugs or alcohol. There are also several environmental factors that can trigger mental health issues, such as experiencing a traumatic event, being exposed to violence, or growing up in a dysfunctional family. The most common cause of mental illness is depression, which affects more than 350 million people worldwide every year. Depression is more common than all other mental illnesses combined. Around 25% of people will experience some form of depression at some point in their lives, while 10% will have an episode at least once per year. Another very common problem is anxiety disorders which affect almost 40 million Americans each year and around one third never seek help for the disorder. The most severe issue, schizophrenia affects nearly 24 million people globally. According to Mayo Clinic's website, Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness characterized by abnormalities in thinking processes and emotional responses. Schizophrenia causes its victims to suffer from hallucinations and delusions. The schizophrenia victim may hear voices, see things that aren't there, believe they're someone else, believe they're controlled by outside forces, or think they know everything. It's not uncommon for schizophrenics to have trouble differentiating between what's real and what isn't; this makes them extremely vulnerable to manipulation by others who may tell them lies about themselves or their loved ones.

Signs you need help now

If you are experiencing any of the following signs, it may be time to seek professional help: 

1. You feel like you can't function without drugs or alcohol. 

2. You're isolating yourself from friends and family. 

3. You're experiencing drastic changes in your eating or sleeping habits. 

4. You're losing interest in activities you used to enjoy. 

5. You're feeling hopeless, helpless, or worthless. 

6. You're having thoughts of harming yourself or others. 

7. You're hearing voices or seeing things that aren't there. 8. You have a sudden change in mood, such as going from calm to angry for no reason. 

9. Your thoughts are racing and you have trouble concentrating on one thing at a time. 

10. You feel irritable most of the time but can't figure out why or what's bothering you. 11. You think people are talking about you or plotting against you when they're not. 

12. You believe someone is trying to control your mind by playing with your thoughts (known as brainwashing). 

13. You fear leaving home because you think something bad will happen to you if you do (known as agoraphobia). 14. Sometimes it feels like nothing is real (known as derealization). 15. Sometimes it feels like nothing is good enough so I try harder and harder until I'm exhausted (known as perfectionism). 16. I worry all the time even though I know there's little evidence my fears will come true (known as generalized anxiety disorder). 17. My sleep schedule has changed and I can't go back to sleep no matter how hard I try (known as insomnia). 18. Whenever something negative happens, it makes me feel terrible and my life seems unbearable (known as major depressive disorder). 19. My relationships are strained or tense and communication is difficult with my partner or other loved ones (known as bipolar disorder) 20. When I don't get my way, everything seems pointless even though this has never been an issue before now (known as schizo affective disorder).

What if I can’t afford it

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, it's important to seek help. But what if you can't afford it? Here are some options for low-cost counseling:

Beth Israel Medical Center - $25 for an initial intake appointment (sliding scale) 

Brooklyn Community Services Corporation - $5 for an initial intake appointment 

Court Street - Sliding scale 

Fusion Counseling Center - Slidescale based on income (up to 50% discount) 

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) New York City Metro Chapter - Free or reduced fee services available  at community mental health centers in the area

How to self-treat depression and anxiety

If you're feeling depressed or anxious, there are a number of things you can do to help yourself feel better. First, try to get some exercise every day. Even a short walk can help lift your mood. Second, make sure you're eating healthy foods and getting enough sleep. Both of these things can impact your mood and energy levels. Third, try to connect with friends or family members. Social support can be crucial when you're feeling down. Finally, if you're still struggling, don't hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional for help. It's important to note that not all depression is the same. Some people may have milder symptoms that go away after a few weeks. Other people might experience persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness that last longer than two weeks and interfere with their daily life. It's important to know the difference between normal feelings like sadness from time-to-time and clinical depression so you can figure out what kind of treatment will work best for you.

Long term solutions

Mental health is often viewed as a taboo topic, but it’s important to open up the conversation in order to destigmatize mental illness and help those who are struggling. The first step is acknowledging that there is a problem. Too often, people suffering from mental illness are ignored or told to snap out of it. This invalidates their experiences and can make them feel even worse. To create change, we need to address the stigma head on by talking about our own struggles with mental health issues and educating others about how they can offer support. In addition, it’s important to take care of your physical health and avoid drugs or alcohol if you have a mental illness. Seek professional help if you need it and be willing to talk about what you’re going through so someone else doesn’t have to go through the same thing alone. Continuation (six+ sentences): The most important step is believing in yourself and knowing that your feelings are valid no matter what other people say. If you don’t believe in yourself, then nobody will believe in you either. When life gets hard and everything seems dark and hopeless, find something that makes you happy- whether it's reading a book, going for a walk outside, cooking for friends or family- anything to give yourself some relief during this time. Remember: You are strong enough to overcome anything life throws at you. You just have to keep fighting! It's okay to ask for help too. There are so many resources available now, such as therapy and medical professionals that specialize in helping with these types of problems. It can also be really helpful to find a community where you're able to share these thoughts without fear of judgement. One organization that does this is Free2BeMD, which focuses on promoting equality and freedom among LGBTQIA+ youth living in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C., because LGBTQIA+ youth experience higher rates of depression than non-LGBTQIA+. Their program encourages participants to celebrate themselves, build resilience and stay connected with others. Additionally, Speak Your Silence is an online forum for military service members affected by PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI). These individuals know firsthand how difficult it can be to speak out about symptoms like anxiety, depression or memory loss due to TBI. They are trained experts who provide anonymous peer-to-peer support, encouragement and information through phone calls or live chat sessions.

Get active!

Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for your mental health. It releases endorphins, reduces stress, and helps you sleep better. Plus, it can give you a sense of accomplishment and boost your self-esteem. But sometimes, life gets in the way and it's hard to find the time or motivation to work out. That's where we come in! We're here to help you get active and reach your fitness goals. We'll design workouts that fit into your busy schedule and provide tips on how to stay motivated. And if you ever need some extra support, our coaches are always there for you. So what are you waiting for? Get active with us today. 

Let’s continue the blog post: How does exercise impact mental health? Exercise has been shown to reduce depression symptoms and even have an effect on suicide rates. One study found that people who engaged in at least 10 minutes of physical activity three times per week had lower levels of depression than those who did not partake in any physical activity. In addition, those who were more physically active reported fewer days when they felt unhappy or blue than those who were less physically active over a six-month period. The impact doesn't stop at combating depression though: regular physical activity also contributes to an improved quality of life as well as increased energy levels and socialization opportunities, among other benefits. Furthermore, exercise improves cardiovascular health and decreases the risk of developing heart disease. 

One last thing to note about this topic is that too much physical activity can actually lead to mood swings. Overdoing it too often can result in irritability, agitation, and inability to focus - just like depression. Make sure you keep track of how many hours of physical activity you're doing each day so that your body isn't overworked from excessive running or biking sessions. It may be beneficial to consult a doctor before beginning any new workout routine.

Be comfortable with silence (and solitude!)

Mental health is often seen as a taboo topic, but it's important to open up the conversation in order to destigmatize it. The first step is acknowledging that there's a problem. Too often, people suffer in silence because they're afraid to speak up. But this only perpetuates the stigma surrounding mental illness. If you suspect you might have a mental health condition, don't be afraid to talk about it with your doctor or someone close to you. They'll likely ask questions like How are you feeling? Do you think things are getting worse? or Have there been any changes in your thoughts or behavior? Talking about these feelings can help put them into perspective and help take control of them. Plus, many people find solace knowing they're not alone in their struggles and that others want to help get them through this rough patch. More than anything, don't forget to practice self-care. It may seem selfish at times, but when we take care of ourselves and do what we need to feel better—whether that means taking time for yourself or seeking professional help—we give ourselves permission to start living again. And if we can learn to live, we can learn to love again. When we're willing to face our demons head on, they lose their power over us. When we give ourselves the freedom to live without shame or fear, our burdens will eventually become easier to bear. So stop trying to cover up your pain, and instead allow yourself the opportunity to heal. It won't be easy, but it's worth it.