Mental Health & Treatment – A Brief Overview

Mental health refers to a person’s emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It influences how individuals think, feel, behave, cope with stress, build relationships, and make decisions. Mental health exists on a spectrum. Mental Health is about YOU and not everyone else!

People may experience challenges such as anxiety, burnout, depression, trauma-related difficulties, or personality disorders.

Treatment for mental health is not a one-size-fits-all process. Effective care combines several evidence-based approaches, including psychotherapy, medication, psychiatric support, lifestyle adjustments, peer or community support, and a structured individualised recovery programme all of which assists the client in adapting and learning how to manage their mental health more effectively. The goal of mental health treatment is not only symptom reduction, but helping individuals regain stability, develop healthier coping skills, strengthen purpose, and improve overall quality of life.

Five Warning Signs of Mental Illness

• Long-lasting sadness or irritability.
• Extremely high and low moods.
• Excessive fear, worry, or anxiety.
• Social withdrawal.
• Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits.

Some of the Main Groups of Mental Health Disorders:

• Mood disorders – depression, bi-polar disorder, substance induced mood disorder
• Anxiety disorders – social anxiety, generalised anxiety
• Personality disorders – antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, dependent etc
• Psychotic disorders – schizophrenia, substance induced psychosis
• Eating disorders – bulimia, anorexia, binge eating disorder
• Trauma-related disorders – post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder
• Substance abuse disorders – alcoholism and drug addiction

Did You Know That the Following Also Negatively Impacts Mental Health?

• Perfectionism
• Guilt and shame or regret
• Feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth
• Lack of exercise
• Overuse of smartphone and social media
• Codependency
• Poor sleep pattern
• Negative thinking-sense of failure
• Childhood abuse, trauma, or neglect.
• Social isolation or loneliness.
• Experiencing discrimination and stigma.
• Poor physical health
• Grief and loss
• Domestic violence
• Bullying
• Loss of employment
• Poor nutrition
• Financial worries
• Relationship breakdown
• Stages of life and associated life events-childhood-school-pregnancy-marriage-family dynamics………….
• Substance abuse-short and long term