Mental Illness – The modern-day epidemic

Unfortunately, lately we are hearing more and more the words depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, anorexia, etc. and unless we have someone close to us with that problem, we do not understand what it is really about. These topics provoke a feeling of unease in many of us, and we think that it cannot happen to us. Often, we do not admit that it is a question of illness, and not just “strange people.” The brain is the most complex organ in the human body and mental illness, just like every other kind of illness, is caused by the improper functioning of that organ.

Mental illness affects all ages and genders in all ethno-cultural and sociocultural groups. Statistics show that one out of five Canadians will experience some kind of mental problem in their life. There are many symptoms, which include loss of motivation and energy; insomnia or somnolence; drastic mood swings; disordered train of thought and comprehension; various obsessions, addictions, and fears. Mental illnesses prevent proper functioning, cause tension in relationships with other people, and lead to social isolation.

It is believed that mental illness is cause by a combination of factors, including environmental, physical, and social factors. Environmental factors include stress caused by psychological trauma, such as war, the death of a loved one, sexual abuse, etc. Physical factors include genetics, brain damage, or alcohol or drug abuse. Social factors include place of residence, family relations, and friends; that is, the people who surround us and affect us. 

Dismissal and ignorance present a huge barrier, not only to proper diagnosis and treatment, but also to recognizing and accepting mental illness in society. Because of this, only 50% of people seek help. We live in a country that has excellent healthcare, and because of that, countless organizations, societies, associations, support groups, and institutions as well. From the outside, it seems as if mental health patients are protected and cared for, but if you really find yourself in that predicament, you will see that things are much more complicated, and both the patients and their caregivers often feel lost, helpless, and completely on their own. The support of the family is invaluable, and is a key factor in the improvement of the patient. Those who do not have that support often end up homeless on the streets. Further complications arise in those individuals 18 years and older, in whose cases the parents or caregivers no longer have the authority to decide on a course of treatment, and all the decisions fall on the patient who is often not able to take a critical look at the situation and make the right decisions. Those situations often lead to crises and division in the family.

With appropriate therapy—which is often difficult to find—determination, and the support of the family, mental illnesses can be treated very effectively. There are many different kinds of therapy, and many illnesses can be treated with medication. There are hundreds of kinds of medication on the market for various mental illnesses. On one Internet site, I found over 40 different medications just for depression. Fitness, psychotherapy, homeopathic medicine, hypnosis, electroconvulsive therapy, etc. are alternatives to medication. Every patient is unique, and often months or even years go by before the best therapy is found.

Statistics show that suicide is the leading cause of death in young people aged 15 to 25.  In Canada, 4,000 young people commit suicide per year, which puts us in third place globally. The reasons for this horrible phenomenon are complex, but data shows that depression is the leading factor. A rise in criminality—particularly the epidemic of school shootings—is closely tied to mental illness. However, it is important to mention that mental health patients are often the victims of aggression rather than the instigators. Statistics show that only one in five children in need of mental healthcare receive it.

How to recognize depression:

• Loss of interest; neglect of hobbies and other activities
• Bad moods and displeasure (anger)
• Disturbing thoughts and hearing voices
• Loss of emotions
• Chronic feeling of weakness and drowsiness
• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia or somnolence
• Absence from work or school
• Abuse of medication or alcohol/drugs in order for them to have an effect
• Helplessness and suicidal thoughts
• Avoidance of friends and family

How to act if someone close to us has a mental illness:

• Speak to a doctor and find out the best course of treatment
• Make sure that the patient regularly takes his/her medication and visits the doctor
• Influence a healthy lifestyle
• Be emotionally supportive whenever it is needed; speak and empathize with the patient

In order to diagnose mental illnesses on time, provide help in the early phases, and prevent fatalities, many societies, groups, and associations in Canada are working to raise awareness about depression and the mental illnesses of today. On its website, the Canadian Mental Health Association invites citizens to contact their local provincial government and appeal for an increase in funds for mental health and addiction in Canada. The initiative is called Get Loud, and their website includes instructions as well as letter templates that can be used. In January of this year, Bell Canada organized the campaign Let’s Talk. The campaign spokesperson was Clara Hughes, winner of six Olympic medals, who herself experienced mental illness and understands how important it is to talk about mental health at home, at school, and in the media. All proceeds went to a mental health program: 109,451,718 texts, calls, tweets, and shares contributed $5,472,585 to the fund. There is a 24-hour telephone line and number available for anyone in need of advice or help: Mental Health Help Line at 1-866-531-2600.

Although it is very hard to avoid and predict mental illness, things like a healthy diet, regular exercise, maintaining family ties, a rich social life, proper sleep, yoga, meditation, creative outlets, time in nature, etc. positively affect mental health in any case. Let us not forget the wise old proverb: “In a healthy body lies a healthy soul.” It has been proven that omega-3 fatty acids play an important part in maintaining good mental health. One of them is DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) which is found in brain cells. A shortage of DHA can cause a string of mental health problems, and an increase in DHA is recommended in treating memory loss, depression, mood swings, dementia, and attention deficit. Along with DHA, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and antioxidants are also recommended for brain health.

Of course, many things are out of our control, but early detection and a speedy response are key in solving the problem. We should support social movements in the fight against mental illness, open our eyes wide, and be honest in the coversations we have with our loved ones.