Why mental health is an important topic in Education
Mental health is coping with one’s stress, emotions and choices.It is determined by a range of socioeconomic & biological factors.
A few causes that can lead to bad mental health are as follows. Having a chronic mental illness, like OCD, ADHD, or bipolar disorder, can affect the way the brain works. However, according to a survey conducted by the World Health Organisation, 70%-92% of people with mental health conditions do not receive adequate treatment as a result of a lack of awareness.
Which is why EduAllReach Programme has taken upon a new initiative:
EdYouMind.
If one suffers from being bullied, it can make one feel lonely, isolated and can lead to depression and anxiety. About 15.4% of students reported being bullied by a student who was more powerful than said children in some way, and 14.5% reported being bullied repeatedly.
Poverty, unemployment and financial pressure can be a large stressor in adults’ lives, which can lower living standards further; this was a significant problem seen during the COVID-19 Pandemic. A study shows, the most relevant stressor in an economic crisis is seen to be financial stress, associated with the restrictions of the constructs of uncertainty, time and capacity, as the cause of reduced income and motivation.
The pandemic has affected families’ incomes since people have lived according to the steepness of the contagion curve, bearing relevant financial, social and psychological costs and facing daily challenges imposed by the pandemic, causing concern and fear, often associated with job loss shortly. Also, social pressures from parents and society can have a damaging effect on many and create an environment of self-doubt and lowered confidence.
To continue, it also has many consequences which are not often given the time of day.
It leads to poor cognitive processes like concentration, dependability, and mental ability. It can also lead to a loss of enjoyment in activities or hobbies one found fun before. The next point, traumatisation, is attributed to many causes, like an experience causing mental instability. This means that the person may use suppressors and escapism techniques that have negative ramifications for the individual’s mental health. Additionally, a fatal consequence is substance abuse, something victims of mental health problems turn to as a coping mechanism, which can quickly turn addictive to create a vicious cycle of mental instability.
Suicides and overdoses are another major result of the same.
Summarising the following, lack of mental health awareness not only leads to an increase in mental disorders and illness but also worsens pre-existing diagnosed conditions. This leads to many further consequences.
Furthermore, “Mental health is a major health issue prevalent globally, holding individuals back from their full potential.” This happens because of the surrounding environment one interacts with.
An excellent way that you can help yourself is by talking to people, such as counsellors help in overcoming this, as recent neurological science research has uncovered the theory of neuroplasticity that indicates that positive experiences like therapy and counselling can alter or “heal” the trauma of one’s mind. Studies even show that behavioural and emotional interventions work just as well or even better than medication to treat various mental health conditions, anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Hence why your nervous system and mental health need to be strong to overcome mental and physical struggles.
Informed by the rigorous consequences of mental health illnesses in today's world, EdYouMind Organisation focuses on increasing awareness of mental and physical health, especially among those unaware. As an organisation, we aim to reduce stigma and help individuals identify and overcome their mental health diseases or learn how to effectively and healthily live with them, enabling them to live their best and strongest life. Through continuous workshops, fundraisers and day camps, we plan to tackle the issue of lack of awareness, stigma and strength for those who face health issues.
-Stuti Desai & Zaisha Lakhani