With the rise of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has become more important than ever to take care of one’s health, and when we talk of health, we are not just concerned about your physical well-being.
We want you to understand that the mental health of people around the world has taken a serious toll and needs to be taken care of.
Although the perception of mental health has improved over the last few years, people are still struggling with various mental health issues and do not want to seek help.
So, why are mental health services important? If you have the same question, we recommend reading this blog.
We have answered many such questions and elucidated why you should not hesitate to ask for help.
10 Signs That Your Mental Health Requires Attention
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 21% of Americans suffer from depression and poor mental health, and suicide was the 2nd leading cause of death in the US.
There is no single cause for mental illness, various risk factors are involved, and gradually the illness starts developing. Some sudden events or experiences may easily trigger it.
The signs are sneaky, and you have to watch out for them carefully. You recognize and address your mental health issues, just like physical ailments.
Following are 10 signs that show it’s time you start paying special attention to your mind:
- Extreme mood swings
- Sleep problems
- Trouble putting a concern or incident behind
- Existential crisis
- Excess stress, confusion, and anxiety
- Physical signs like headaches, backaches, gastrointestinal issues, and exhaustion
- Delusions or hallucinations
- Frequent outbursts
- Thoughts of hurting yourself or others
- Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping patterns
If you can relate to most of the above points, contacting a professional is the best way out.
What Are Mental Health Services?
Mental health services aim at assisting people struggling with mental disorders or coping with stress. Mental health services include diagnoses, treatments, assessments, interventions, or counseling offered to maintain or improve mental health.
A broad range of services have a common objective of understanding and coping with various mental issues.
Examples Of Mental Health Services
- Psychotherapy or Talk Therapy
- Music therapy
- Medication
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Inpatient or Residential Mental Health Treatment
- Psychiatric Hospitalization
- 12-Step Programs and Support Groups
For more information, visit our blog MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: EXAMPLES AND NEED, where we have explained these services in detail.
Who Needs Mental Health Services?
Being mentally healthy gives you confidence and helps you increase your self-esteem; this applies to people of all age groups. But since mental health is subjective and very personal, the need for such services differs from person to person.
There are 3 main categories of people who require mental health services:
1. Children
About 15-20% of children in the United States need mental health care, and 3-8% of children suffer from serious psychiatric illnesses.
Chronic neglect, divorce of parents, recurrent abuse, separation from loved ones, and family stress like witnessing domestic violence or poverty can leave a negative, long-term effect on the tender minds of children.
It affects their education and development and can lead them astray. Studies show that about 37% of children have to drop out of high school due to mental illnesses.
Therefore, they need to receive mental health services from schools, mental health institutions like hospitals and community mental health centers, child welfare schemes, juvenile justice, and primary care physicians.
2. Adolescents and Young Adults
After 4 years of study, it was estimated that 77% of the adults in California received no or inadequate mental health care.
It is because of various reasons like the cost, stigma, and refusal to seek help. In some areas, people want to, but due to the unavailability or lack of resources, they do not receive the required help.
Adults in America are estimated to die 25 years sooner than average if they suffer from mental illnesses and are not treated. They are more vulnerable to mental health problems than other age groups.
3. Older adults
Mental health and well-being are as important in older age as at any other time of life. Many older adults are prone to multiple neural disorders at the same time due to their age.
Loneliness, isolation, and psychological distress after retirement lead to disorders like depression and dementia.
Therefore, it is essential to:
- Train health care professionals in providing care to the elderly
- Design sustainable policies for long-term care
- Developing age-friendly services for prompt recognition and treatment of disorders
Why Are Mental Health Services Important?
It is important to understand that recovery from mental illnesses is possible if you take the right step at the right time. It will help if you take care of your mental health for a balanced life as it greatly impacts how you feel.
Mental health services are important for many reasons:
- To stabilize increasing mental health concerns: Mental health concerns worldwide are increasing rapidly. “Almost half of the adults (46.4%) experience a mental illness in their lifetime, and 1 in 25 adults or 9.8 million adults will experience a mental illness this year that is serious enough to interfere with or impact major life activities.”
- These stats are shocking, and a good mental health care infrastructure is essential for the betterment of the situation.
1. To realize symptoms
You may feel vulnerable and unsure at many points in your life, but there is a distinction between feeling that way and constantly struggling with a mental issue. A therapist or mental health professional will help you realize the symptoms and uncover any underlying mental illnesses.
2. To reduce the risk of medical issues
Needless to say, as we take exercise and physical fitness so seriously, we must take care of our mental health as well. Getting mental health treatment on time reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, ulcers, etc.
3. To help you express yourself better
Therapy can help you understand yourself in a better manner. You can express your emotions, recover from unresolved traumatic experiences, and feel better about yourself. Group therapy can also play an important role in building your confidence.
4. To improve your quality of life
Common symptoms of anxiety, depression, and fear do not let you live life to the fullest. With proper mental health treatment, the quality of your life is improved. You can develop a healthy relationship with yourself and others.
Your concentration, self-esteem, creativity, and overall performance are improved, and you can deal with struggles in an enhanced way.
Conclusion
After reading this blog, it must be clear why mental health services are important and what kind of mental health service is good for you.
There is a wide range of services available for solving your psychiatric issues. All these services allow you to give another chance to your life and cope with your feelings.
You can dial 911 for immediate emergency help or contact the national suicide prevention hotline at 800-273-8255 and ask for support.
Remember to reach out for help before the crisis escalates. Drop them in the comment box and check our website for regular updates if you have any more queries!
