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What is mental health?

Mental health is an important aspect of our lives, but what does the term “mental health” mean?

This is the quality of your emotional and psychological well-being, something that plays a key role in your ability to handle stress, take care of yourself, and deal with the everyday difficulties that life throws at us. In this current day and age, it is a good idea to invest in your mental health in order to live a happier, healthier lifestyle. Some simple activities you can try and do to maintain good mental health include (Heathline, 2018):

• Eating high-quality food and drinking lots of water.
• Partake in some form of physical exercise, be it running, sports, walking, cycling, etc.
• Get enough sleep each night
• Spend time with loved ones, friends and family.
• Meditate, practice mindfulness.

What is depression?

Depression is classified as a mood disorder. Those with depression often experience feelings of hopelessness, periods of intense sadness or distress, and a sudden drop in interest in what previously may have been enjoyable in ones’ life (amongst numerous other symptoms). Depression is a complex disorder, and affects everyone differently due to the large number of potential causes of depression. As a result, is no “one-size-fits-all” treatment. It is important to be mindful and understanding of those around you with the disorder, and help comfort them in their time of need.

In the past, it was not uncommon for people to dismiss the disorder as simply “feeling blue”, or just being “under the weather”. However recent scientific and psychological knowledge points to depression as being harmful not only in our daily lives but also having the ability to worsen our physiological wellbeing (Healthline, 2018). Depressed individuals may experience somatic symptoms, such as headaches, body aches, and more. These issues can then go on to affect our lives in school, at work, in relationships, and our overall quality of life.

Ultimately, depression is a complex mood disorder with serious implications. It’s important to be supportive and present for those we know with the disorder, and understand what they may be going through.

COVID-19 Stress

There’s no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a toll on our mental health. We’ve all been negatively affected by the pandemic, and as a result it’s normal to be experiencing mental health issues during this time. Being unable to see loved ones who might live abroad, spending most of 2020/2021 indoors, and a myriad of restrictions have proved to be very difficult and not how we might’ve expected. It’s important to realise how such a drastic change in our lives might cause new (or even worsen existing) mental health issues, as well as addressing these issues.