world mental health day
- lxrynwxtring
- Oct 10, 2022
- 3 min read
10/10/22
hello cherubs! happy world mental health day!
world mental health day was created by the World Federation of Mental Health's Richard Hunter in 1992 to help generate and bring awareness to mental health.
wear green today, or specifically a green ribbon, to show your support for those dealing with mental health issues year round.
in 2020, the Pete Foundation created a flag in order to promote World Mental Health Day.
if you're interested in purchasing one, you can here: https://www.thepetefoundation.org/shop-home/mental-health-flag
according to the world health organization, here are 10 facts on mental health:
mental, neurological, and substance abuse disorders make up 10% of global burden of disease and 25% of non-fatal disease burden.
1 in 7 of the world's adolescents have a mental health disorder
globally it is estimated that 5% of adults suffer from depression
1 in 6 years are accounted for living with a disability
more than 700,000 people die from suicide each year and makes up 1 in 100 deaths globally
suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds
people with severe mental health disorders die 10-20 years earlier than the general population
in lower-income countries, there are fewer than one mental health staff per 100,000 populations
40% of low income countries do not provide mediations for mental health disorders such as mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder
the global economy loses about $1 trillion dollars in the economy from disorders of depression and anxiety
if you know someone that may be dealing with a mental health disorder and aren't quite sure if they need help, here are some ideas:
feeling very sad, withdrawn, or unmotivated for more than two weeks
making plans or action to harm or kill themselves
out-of-control, risk-taking behaviors
sudden overwhelming fear for no reason, sometimes with a racing heart or fast breathing
not eating, throwing up, or using laxatives to lose weight; significant weigh loss or gain
severe mood swings causing problems in relationships
excess use of drugs or alcohol
drastic changes in behavior, personality, or sleeping habits
extreme difficulty in concentrating or standing still
intense worry or fear getting in the way of daily activities
if you know someone who is showing these sort of symptoms, please get them help as soon as possible.
start the conversation
encourage them to get help
if they are feeling suicidal or engaging in self-harm, don't keep it a secret
but remember too: take care of yourself. sometimes helping others can take a toll on our own mental health. as much as we are willing to help others, we must make sure that we are providing for ourselves. you cannot pour from an empty cup.
if you are reading this and are experiencing any of these signs, please call 911 if you are thinking of harming yourself, or reach out to a loved one or friend and ask for help. you can also dial 988, the mental health hotline, which is available 24/7.
ways to ask for help if you are experiencing any sort of mental health illness's signs or symptoms:
accept that you are going through a rough time & tell yourself that it's normal
choose the person to reach out to. it can be a parent, relative, neighbor, or friend. just someone you trust
simply tell whoever it is you're reaching out to what is going on, don't sugar coat it
ask them to be patient with you
talk to your parents/doctor about what your insurance covers in the aspect of receiving help through therapy, medication, etc.
find supportive friends that offer you a healthy space to vent and can help you if your symptoms worsen
the best thing we can do to support those going through mental health disorders is to break the stigma. breaking the stigma allows those suffer to realize that their feelings are valid and that it isn't something to hide or be afraid of speaking up about.
as someone who suffers from mental health issues, I will do my best to use this platform to promote and bring awareness to break the stigma.
I hope you guys enjoyed this post! please share it with someone you think might need it!
remember, you deserve to be here.
xx Loryn
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