Why is mental health literacy important?

The conversation around mental health has been gaining traction over the past decade however there is still immense stigma in the absence of awareness levels required to properly acknowledge and overcome this issue According to the estimates of World Health Organization in 2019 1 in every 8 people or 970 million people in the world live with a mental health disorder These 2019 estimates also suggest that over 550 million people suffer from depressive and anxiety disorders even though effective prevention and treatment options existWhile most of these terms have become common parlance the precise definition and scope of these very grave words is often unclear and misunderstood by most In the postpandemic era we live in the midst of the most severe mental health crisis in modern historyThe first step towards prevention or finding a resolution is to arm yourself with the tools to recognise the issue which is where mental health literacy MHL comes in The concept of literacy has become broader than the ability to read and write as it has extended to many aspects of our lives From nutritional to financial being well versed in areas which are crucial to our social and physical wellbeing is becoming increasingly essential We speak to Anu Rajgarhia psychologist at Mpower to explain what mental health literacy means highlight its crucial importance and discuss ways to cultivate itWhat is mental health literacyRajgarhia Initially mental health literacy was drafted in 1997 Originally it referred to an individuals knowledge and beliefs about mental health disorders that helped in their recognition management or prevention However over the last decade there has been a shift in the definition of MHL to include the component of obtaining and maintaining positive mental health through educational initiativesToday MHL encompasses four key components understanding how to obtain and maintain good mental health recognising mental disorders and knowing when where and how to obtain treatment for them decreasing the stigma related to mental disorders and developing skills to support individuals experiencing mental health challengesThis new definition is broader and aligns with the World Health Organizations definition of mental health which states that mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders and includes wellbeing optimal functioning and copingHow can mental health literacy help individuals and communitiesRajgarhia The language of mental health can be confusing and conflicting which is why MHL is an empowering tool It provides a common framework that helps individuals and communities understand a range of mental health states from mental illness to mental wellbeing Using the correct language enables us to intervene more effectively and reduce stigmaThis knowledge and attitude towards mental health benefit both the individual and the community It allows people to have control over their mental health identify possible challenges when they arise and be more open to seeking help They understand that mental health problems can and should be treated and they also learn to manage longterm mental health conditions effectivelyWhat are the most common barriers or roadblocks towards achieving mental health literacy for people suffering from mental health issuesRajgarhia Stigma is one of the leading factors of poor mental health outcomes Negative stereotypes have always been associated with mental illness leading to prejudice and discrimination directed at anyone with mental illness When a person with mental illness internalises this public attitude or belief towards their condition they suffer a myriad of negative consequences This selfstigma due to misinformed beliefs about the disorder they are coping with leads to feelings of shame avoidance of treatment or inadequate care The fear of marginalisation discrimination and social rejection make many individuals hide their condition and suffer alone Selfstigma diminishes the feelings of selfworth and this manifests through an intrapersonal feeling of being flawed Low self esteem poor selfefficacy and self ndash isolation leads to poor outcomes and poor quality of lifeHow can selfstigma impact the wellbeing of everyone regardless of their mental health status How can it be overcomeRajgarhia Selfstigma can have a detrimental impact on an individuals mental wellbeing When individuals internalise negative societal attitudes and beliefs about mental health they may feel ashamed inferior or hopeless leading to feelings of low selfesteem and selfworth Such negative selfperceptions can also contribute to a lack of motivation to seek help resulting in delayed or inadequate treatmentTo counteract selfstigma it is essential to promote personal empowerment through mental health literacy MHL Empowerment involves having control over ones life understanding ones condition and having access to the necessary resources and support to manage it By increasing MHL individuals can gain a better understanding of their mental health develop a sense of agency and feel more confident in seeking help when needed Empowerment can thus serve as a potent antidote to selfstigma improving an individuals mental wellbeing and overall quality of lifeWhat is the importance of mental health literacy for everyone across ages not just those suffering from mental health issuesRajgarhia Mental health literacy programs play a crucial role in empowering individuals to overcome selfstigma and seek support from their family and society By increasing knowledge and awareness about mental health individuals can become more confident in discussing their condition accessing resources and seeking help when needed This in turn helps reduce negative attitudes towards people with mental illness at a societal levelMoreover MHL promotes positive mental health by focusing on developing skills and strategies to identify and cultivate a flourishing mental state These programs help people work towards improving their wellbeing and increasing their resilience which are crucial components of mental wellness By building these skills and strategies individuals can better manage stress cope with challenges and maintain positive relationshipsIn summary MHL programs have a significant impact on promoting positive mental health outcomes at both the individual and societal levels By empowering individuals with the knowledge skills and resources to manage their mental health effectively MHL programs help reduce selfstigma promote wellbeing and reduce negative attitudes towards mental illnessHow can mental health literacy be cultivatedRajgarhia Cultivating mental health literacy is critical to addressing the prevailing attitudes and beliefs about mental illness including stigma bias and reluctance to seek treatment However despite some progress MHL is still in its infancy and cultural and religious beliefs often prevail over psychosocial or biological factors in understanding mental illness This mindset can lead to unhelpful attitudes stigmatisation and reluctance to seek treatment among those who hold these beliefsGender differences also play a role in MHL with women generally having better MHL than men who are more likely to seek selfhelp treatment than visit a psychiatrist To address the gaps in MHL ongoing training programs and community campaigns aimed at vulnerable populations such as adolescents and the elderly are crucial Schoolbased interventions and programs delivered in settings where people live and work can have the maximum impact in improving MHLTo create awareness and encourage individuals to seek treatment advocacy campaigns media drives and celebrity endorsements can also play a significant role These initiatives can help dispel the myths and apathy around mental health and promote better outcomes for those with mental disordersWhat are some of the long term benefitsThe long term benefits of cultivating MHL are significant as it helps individuals and communities make betterinformed decisions about their attitudes towards seeking help stigma and treatment choices By reducing the negative attitudes and beliefs about mental illness MHL can contribute to improved mental health outcomes both at the individual and societal levelsIn conclusion as the incidence and prevalence of mental illness continue to rise the importance of cultivating MHL cannot be overstated It is the only way to dispel the myths and apathy around mental health encourage individuals to seek treatment and work towards cultivating mental wellnessWhat can I doRajgarhia Recognising that understanding mental health is important to personal community and socio economic development is the primary step Following are some actionable steps that can be taken by individuals1 Talking about mental health especially your lived experiences and struggles will allow you to learn more2 Attending talks and seminars on mental health and participating or volunteering for events aimed at spreading awareness3 Using social media articles on mental health as a tool to pique onersquos curiosity and then taking it forward by reading more articles and literature4 Help overcome stigma by talking to people about the importance of understanding the relevance of mental health5 If someone is struggling evidently provide them access to reading materials videos on various mental health challenges and wellness practices6 You can also support others by suggesting them to seek professional help or take mental health screenings if requiredAlso Read Want to lose weight without hitting the gym These tips are all you need for your workout plan at home