Mental health. We all have it, it’s all around us. Some of us know plenty about it, some don’t, and some unfortunately don’t know how to talk about it. Some may fear judgement of their own mental health, while others don’t know how to ask them to explain without being insensitive. Which is why this week, universities across the country will be taking different steps towards raising awareness.
Everyone’s heard of depression, bipolar disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, anorexia and many more conditions. Of course we have, awareness is increasing all the time. But it can be hard for those of us who are in good mental health to grasp the reality and the nature of mental illnesses. I’m guilty; even writing about it is helping me learn more! Did you know that the more common mental illnesses affect roughly one in ten people? Think about how many left-handers you know. According to statistics, you know as many lefties as mental illness sufferers.
Anxiety related problems
Approximately one in ten people in the UK suffer, or have suffered, from some form of anxiety related problem. These include panic attacks, phobias and OCD. Panic attacks cause very frightening physical symptoms that can make a person feel suffocated and overwhelmed. Phobias can become so strong they can prevent a sufferer from living an everyday life just from the fear of encountering whatever they are afraid of. OCD is caused by an attempt to reduce anxiety through rigid, repetitive behaviours and thinking patterns.
Depression
As with many invisible conditions, it can be hard to distinguish between a sufferer simply being difficult and them really struggling to battle inner despair. The key to this? Be rational, compassionate and open-minded when interacting with them. Cut them a little slack if it helps them, and keep any criticism objective and sensitive. Getting the balance right could mean the difference between stopping the person from spiralling into irrationality and saying the exact things that could push them in that direction.
Eating disorders
Up to ten times more common in women than men, eating disorders affect one in 20 young people in their teens and twenties. Similar to OCD, these disorders cause people to become stuck in repetitive, unhealthy attitudes towards food. Binge eaters may resort to it for comfort to help mask underlying emotional problems. Anorexics may see their diet as the only part of their life they can control, and will eat as little as possible no matter how much they love food. If unable to overcome anorexia, the body will use up every last ounce of carbohydrates and fats, before eating away at the non-essential proteins and finally the essential proteins. This leads to organ failure and death – a painful way to go, indeed.
The annual University Mental Health and Wellbeing Day was on Wednesday 18 February. Its aim is to promote awareness for all mental illnesses battled by staff and students alike. From Monday 16 – Friday 20 February, there will be a chance to wear knitted friendship bracelets from Gateway House to represent your willingness to raise mental health awareness. You can also take a poll on whether you would be willing to speak up about your own mental health – there will be ballot boxes in the Kimberlin, Gateway and Hugh Aston buildings.
As I haven’t struggled with mental illness myself, I feel hesitant to end with any advice. But I do know one thing that applies to any life struggles. Whatever your situation, there is always hope.
