World Mental Health Day – October 10

Article provided by Optum Live and Work Well

When someone asks you how you’re doing, how likely are you to respond with a simple, “Great, thanks. How are you?”

You might genuinely feel good, but if you were stressed, angry, sad, anxious, or experiencing another difficult emotion, would you say so?

In most cases, whether inside or outside our inner circle, many of us wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing our true feelings. Likewise, many of us wouldn’t feel comfortable pressing a friend or coworker to share theirs for fear of overstepping or seeming nosy.

But avoiding conversations about difficult emotions and hard times — whether temporary or ongoing ones — can add to the stigma that surrounds mental health.

Overcoming stigma

Many people live with situational or chronic depression, anxiety or other mental health concerns. Globally, an estimated 15% of working-age adults and 12% of people have a mental health disorder.(1,2) Most go untreated.

Negative attitudes, beliefs and stereotypes persist among individuals, community systems and policies, even in cultures with laws protecting mental health rights. This stigma keeps many people from seeking support. At the same time, some people don’t realize they need help, while others mistakenly believe needing help is a sign of weakness.

Others simply don’t have access to mental health resources.

These are all reasons World Mental Health Day is observed each year on October 10. Global and national organizations and institutions, including the World Health Organization, come together to raise awareness of the importance of mental health, rally support and help put policies and systems in place for those in need.

Understanding mental health

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health — and they’re equally important to your overall health and wellness. Just like physical health, mental health can affect all areas of your life, including your overall health, relationships, career and finances.

Mental health includes your emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. It affects how you think, feel and act. It also helps determine how you handle stress, relate to others and make healthy choices. Some common signs of mental health conditions include:

• Excessive worrying or fear
• Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or “empty” feeling
• Extreme mood changes, including irritability or anger
• Changes in eating habits, energy level or sleeping patterns
• Increased use of alcohol or other substances
• Persistent physical aches and pains
• Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress

Most people experience these kinds of emotions from time to time. If these feelings persist and get in the way of your day-to-day functioning, it may be a sign of a mental health disorder, which is a treatable medical condition.

Mental health conditions can develop as a result of biological, psychological and social factors. People of any gender, from any background and in any circumstance across geographies can experience mental health concerns and conditions.

It’s important to note: The same mental health disorder can show up in different ways for different people. For example, both men and women with depression may feel sad, hopeless or exhausted, sleep too much or have a hard time sleeping, and feel physical problems like digestive issues.

But, compared to women, men with depression are more likely to be irritable, angry and combative. They are more likely to turn to “escapist behaviors,” like working long hours or focusing a lot of time and attention on sports or other activities. They also are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, like driving dangerously or misusing alcohol or drugs, than women.

Promoting mental health and wellbeing

Many proven ways can help nurture your mental and emotional health, including:

• Proactively manage stress, maintain optimism and build resiliency. For example, to manage stress, avoid overcommitting yourself at work and in your personal life.
• Do things that help you release tension, such as taking time to relax, moving your body, laughing and participating in fun activities.
• Make meaningful social connections with uplifting people to add joy and positivity into your life.
• Practice gratitude to remember the good in life, even when times are tough.
• Keep in mind, mental health conditions are treatable. If you or someone close to you is experiencing a mental health concern, consult with a medical or mental health professional.

Sources

1. World Health Organization. Mental health at work. Published September 28, 2022.

2. World Health Organization. Mental disorders. Published June 8, 2022.

American Psychiatric Association. Stigma, prejudice and discrimination against people with mental illness. Reviewed March 2024.

European Institute for Gender Equality. Gender differences in mental disorders begin early in life. Accessed July 10, 2024.

Jed. How to follow your instincts when worried about a friend.

Mayo Clinic. Male depression: Understanding the issues. Published February 14, 2024.

Mayo Clinic. Mental illness — symptoms and causes. Published December 22, 2022.

Mental Health Foundation. Physical health and mental health. Updated February 18, 2022.

Mental Health Foundation. Stigma and discrimination. Updated October 4, 2021.

National Institute of Mental Health. Men and mental health — National Institute of Mental Health.

Stanford Report. Why asking for help is hard, but people want to help more than we realize. Published September 8, 2022.

World Federation for Mental Health, founder of World Mental Health Day — October 10th. Published April 17, 2024.

World Health Organization. Gender and health. Published May 24, 2021.