10 Reasons Why Mental Health Is So Important in 2023

Mental health is essential for leading a happy life. It affects how we feel, think, and live by encompassing our emotional, psychological, and sociological well-being. Prioritizing mental health is critical.

According to a study from the University of Oxford in 2017, it was estimated that “792 million people lived with a mental health disorder. This is slightly more than one in ten people globally (10.7%).” Other studies have revealed that:

• Approximately 21% of adults experience mental illness each year
• Approximately 5.6% of  U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year
• 16.5% of  U.S. youth aged 0-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
• 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-14 and 25-34, and third for people 15-24.

Related Post: Mental Health Statistics 2022

Why Is Mental Health Important?

To understand why mental health is so important, we’ve outlined ten areas that are deeply impacted by mental health and mental health awareness.

1. Mental Health Plays a Crucial Role in Relationships

Mental Illness impacts how we interact with our friends and family. Mental illnesses frequently result in passive-aggressiveness, hostility, and the incapacity to participate in social activities.

This often results in conflicts with our friends and family. Mental illness has the potential to compel us to overthrow our loved ones for no apparent reason. Self-care for mental health and, if necessary, medication can help us live a mentally stable existence while also maintaining our relationships.

2. Mental Health Affects Physical Health

There’s a link between our mental health and our physical health. Mental illness can induce stress and weaken our immune systems. For example, when someone is chronically stressed, the glucocorticoid response becomes impaired. This leads to long-term health conditions such as immune disorders and metabolic disorders.

As a result, our body’s ability to cope with illness may be jeopardized. A sick mind can lead to anxiety and sadness, both of which can make it difficult to move about and stay active. The mind-body connection is well-established, which is why mental health awareness is so crucial.

3. Mental Health Is Related to Emotional Well-Being

Every day, how you feel on the inside is just as important as how physically healthy you are. A negative mind can make you feel down, irritated, or disturbed. Taking care of our emotional well-being can help us be more productive and effective at work and in our daily activities.

To maintain track of our emotional and overall well-being, we can seek mental health advice from friends, family, and a psychologist. According to the National Institute of Health, you should also practice the following to improve emotional well-being.

• Build resilience by practicing gratitude and taking time for yourself each day.
• Get quality sleep by going to bed at the same time each day and limiting screen time, alcohol, and large meals before bedtime.
• Invest in support systems by sharing with family and friends, volunteering for causes you care about, and asking for help when you need it.

4. Mental Health Awareness Can Help Curb Suicide Rates

According to a study by the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), 46% of those who commit suicide have a recognized mental health condition. It’s critical for people who struggle with suicidal thoughts to have access to mental health care.

Researchers at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that for youths who had mental health visits within 30 days, the odds of suicide decreased.

This demonstrates the link between mental health awareness and suicide, as well as how early medical intervention and self-care can help minimize the number of suicide deaths. It’s critical to follow suggestions to maintain our mental health and to be aware (as much as possible) of the mental health of those around us.

5. Mental Health Makes Someone More Likely to Become a Victim of a Crime

It’s a common misconception that people struggling with mental health are more likely to commit a crime, while the opposite is true. This idea comes from the criminal justice system, where innocent people with mental health issues are more likely to be arrested, charged, and sentenced to longer jail time than people without mental health issues.

Anyone with a mental illness is more susceptible to becoming a victim of a crime. This is one of the many reasons why mental health is important. For any at-risk mental health patients, organizations need to create a multi-tiered system to identify the mental health issues early on and provide support to ensure they’re protected and not mislabeled as a criminal.

6. Mental Health Is Connected to Productivity and Financial Stability

One of the many reasons why it’s crucial to look after your mental health is that it boosts your overall productivity and financial security. According to research published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, people with serious mental illness earned approximately a third less than median earnings.

A lack of necessary mental health makes it much more difficult to work. According to the World Health Organization, 12 billion working days are lost each year due to anxiety and depression. Poor mental health causes a drop in productivity, which has an impact on financial stability. When we prioritize caring for our mental health,  it’s easier to maintain a strong work performance and achieve financial security.

7. Mental Health Affects Childhood

Children are one of the many reasons why mental health should be taken seriously. A mental health issue can be a risk factor for child abuse. An adult struggling with problems below is more at risk of harming a child.

• Depression
• Low self-esteem
• Poor impulse control
• Anxiety
• Antisocial behaviour

Of course, these conditions do not guarantee that a parent will mistreat their child. However, if the mistreatment goes unchecked, children are more likely to experience abuse, neglect, and behavioral issues. They then grow up to be complex human beings who struggle to find societal acceptance and support.

8. Mental Health Disorders Can Lead to Isolation

People who are having mental difficulties become socially isolated and find it difficult to maintain a healthy social life. When a person becomes isolated, it’s harder to secure help. Loneliness has been linked to higher rates of suicide, anxiety, and depression, perpetuating the problem.

As a result, it’s critical to learn how to maintain excellent mental health and seek medical advice, preventing isolation.

8. Mental Health Affects the Quality of Life

The importance of mental health cannot be overstated, and a healthy mind leads to a higher quality of life. When someone is struggling with mental health issues, such as depression,

 it can cause us to lose interest in the things we once enjoyed. The regular ups and downs of life overwhelm us to a point where we cannot carry on with even the most basic tasks.

Untreated mental health is often identified with a sense of hopelessness, sadness, worthlessness, feelings of guilt, anxiety, fear, and a perceived loss of control. When you’re feeling these symptoms, you must seek tips and treatment for mental health from a certified professional before it’s too late.

9. Mental Health Awareness Can End Stigma and High Costs

While many people suffer from mental illness, only a small percentage seek treatment. Most of this is due to high healthcare costs, which prevent 39% of people from seeking care. Many other reasons for seeking care are related to stigma, which prevents people from seeking help because they believe there’s a negative association with them.

Raising mental health awareness helps people realize that they aren’t alone in their struggle. Plus, it makes it easier for people to find affordable options to access the care they need. For example, NAMI offers a 24/7 crisis hotline that’s free to call and connect people to services in their area.

It’s critical to raise mental health awareness because the more people are aware of mental health issues, the more resources can be allocated for effective treatment. For those suffering from underlying mental illnesses, costs and stigma feel like insurmountable difficulties. Individuals can be encouraged to identify their symptoms, practice self-care, and seek therapy or medical support if necessary by spreading the word about mental health tips.

10. Mental Health Awareness Enables Community Building

We can establish better support facilities for those suffering from mental illnesses if we actively campaign for mental health importance. It has the potential to generate a more tolerant and kind global society, and increase the chances of recovery in situations of mental illness.

Learning about mental health and teaching others in our community about it will help us bring about a much-needed change and heal the planet — one person at a time!

Why Mental Health Should Be Taken Seriously

When we start paying attention to our mental health needs, we can create improvements for ourselves and for those around us. Prioritizing mental health reaps multiple benefits, including:

• Improved mood
• Reduced anxiety
• An enhanced sense of inner peace
• Clear thinking
• Better relationships
• Increased self-esteem

What Are the Most Common Mental Health Conditions?

The most common mental health conditions include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Psychotic disorders
• Personality disorders
• Panic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Eating disorders

How Should We Care for Our Mental Health?

Every treatment plan will look different based on your mental health needs. However, the first step is understanding the importance of mental health. Then, care for your mental health by doing the following.

• Getting professional help if needed
• Connecting with others
• Staying positive
• Getting physically active
• Helping others
• Getting enough sleep
• Developing coping skills

How Do I Know If I Have a Mental Illness?

While a confirmed mental illness diagnosis might only be possible once a person experiences the full range of symptoms, early warning signs often indicate the need to seek help. Doing so may prevent a person from suffering a full-blown mental health crisis.

Early warning signs to watch for include:

• A switch in eating habits
• A noticeable reduction in energy levels
• Being more isolated and shying away from others
• Feeling persistent despair
• Indulging in alcohol, tobacco, or other substances more than usual
• Experiencing unexplained confusion, anger, guilt, or worry
• Severe mood swings
• Picking fights with family and friends
• Hearing voices with no identifiable source
• Thinking of self-harm or causing harm to others
• Being unable to perform daily tasks with ease

Pay attention to such signs and seek help immediately if you notice them. While it can be overwhelming at first, maintaining positive mental health over time helps establish continued independence and well-being.