Take mental health seriously as it affects how you think, feel, and act.
Mental health disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders are common and affect individuals, families, and the community as a whole. For some, this also has an impact in the workplace.
October has been declared Mental Health Awareness Month with the objective of educating the public about mental health and how to reduce the stigma against people with mental illness.
Central Gauteng Mental Health Society manager Mmabatho Masoga said: “Having a mental disorder does not make a person different from others. Mental illnesses are disorders of brain function.
“They have many causes and results from complex interactions between a person’s genes and their environment. “Having a mental illness is not a choice or moral failing. Mental illness affects people of all ages, genders, cultures and backgrounds worldwide.”
Masoga said mental health affects how people think, feel, and act.
“Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood and if one experiences mental health problems, his/her thinking, mood, and behaviour could be affected.”
- Most common mental health issues
Stress – Almost everyone will experience some form of stress in their lives, some form of stress is positive and even helpful. High stress levels can negatively affect how you view your world, your confidence and how you act.
Anxiety – While it’s normal to be nervous in stressful situations, people with anxiety disorders often feel overly anxious under pressure (sometimes to the point of panic attacks) or experience low-level anxiety all the time regardless of the situation.
Depression – While it’s normal to sometimes feel down, these feelings are categorised as depression when they continue for over two weeks, recur regularly (once a month), or have a significantly negative impact on an individual’s quality of life.
Self-harm – Some people are harming themselves in a way of dealing with emotional stress.
Suicidal thoughts – If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide you need professional help as soon as possible.
Bipolar disorder – is experienced through episodes of very low mood, depression, high mood or mania. Bipolar cannot be cured and ongoing treatment is needed to keep this condition under control.
Schizophrenia – is a mental disorder which involves a chemical imbalance in the brain that results in disturbances of thinking and feelings, disturbed and inappropriate emotions, and changes in behaviour. There is no cure for schizophrenia so the disorder must be managed on a daily basis with medication, education and rehabilitation.
How can you support people who are suffering from mental health
- Consult a professional as soon as possible.
- Offer support to the loved one. It is important for families to learn that they didn’t cause their loved one’s disorder and that they can’t cure it.
- Educate yourself about the illness. Not knowing how the illness functions can create misconceptions and prevent families from giving their loved ones effective help.
- Reach out for support. Stigma can prevent families from seeking support. Support groups help to normalise a family’s experiences and better enable them to share ideas about supporting a loved one with mental illness.
- Work closely with your loved one’s treatment team.
You can contact the Central Gauteng Mental Health Society’s Ekurhuleni office on 011 909 0152 or visit their website on www.cgmhs.co.za
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