Proper counseling and treatment can cure mental problems completely like other physical problems. Since mental health complications are not like physical pain, many do not understand when they should actually seek mental health support. Moreover, family or social taboos also stand in the way. With that not, World Mental Health 2021 is going to observe on October 10 with the theme, 'Mental health in an unequal world.' So, when should a person seek help for mental problems? And how to support people with mental health problems? We will get to know about mental health support in this article.

What is a mental health problem?

The actual definition of mental illness varies according to country, culture, and people. Hence, there is no unified definition of mental health problems. However, some common words are used to indicate mental illness. For example, psychological problems, mental health, headache, etc., are used to indicate mental illness.

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How to understand if anyone is suffering from mental illness?

When a person's behavior changes drastically, especially the emotional expression changes, which starts to affect the daily activities, in such cases, one should understand that the person is not mentally stable. Apart from these symptoms, there are some specific issues that may indicate a mental health problem. Usually, people with mental illness suddenly become excited. People are also seen keeping themselves away from everyone for a long time.

Staying upset for more than two weeks in a row can be a sign of mental health problems. Quarrels with everyone and don't want to talk to anyone can be the symptoms too. Other symptoms are hearing some irrelevant sounds, unnecessarily doubting, not taking care by stopping doing regular daily activities like bathing or brushing teeth, and dissatisfaction and loss of interest in the activities that bring happiness.

Sometimes, people stop themselves from making any sort of social relationships, thinking negatively about themselves or feeling responsible for everything, decisiveness or loss of concentration, and plan suicidal thoughts and attempts.

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In some cases, sleep may be reduced abnormally or increase, feel an aversion to food or increased appetite and loss of interest in home, office, or professional work.

However, these problems do not mean that the person has a mental illness. But if anyone has these signs or symptoms, the person should talk to a psychiatrist. After that, the doctor can analyze it and understand whether any action should be taken.

Types of mental illness

A regular person might think mental illness has no different types; it is just a mental problem. But, the truth is that there can be many types of mental illness, such as Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), and Depressive Disorder Due to a Medical Condition.

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Bipolar disorder causes a rapid and drastic change in the mental state of a person. Sometimes there is great sadness, and sometimes there is great joy. The patient may feel a lot of interest in all the activities during the time of happiness, and all of a sudden, the person may change their mind and make big decisions. During this time, the patient may talk abnormally. This change of mindset can happen several times a year or several times a week.

Major depressive disorder is also known as clinical depression or simply depression. It is a chronic fatal depression that persists over time. In this case, the person may easily become angry or frustrated or lose interest in the things they used to do happily. Also, small tasks may seem difficult to the person and make you feel failed, frustrated, tired, and confused.

Persistent depressive disorder is a type of severe mental condition whose symptoms last for at least 2 years. It is a combination of two types of depression called dysthymic disorder and chronic major depression.

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In the case of seasonal affective disorder, it may look like a major depressive disorder. Its symptoms emerge with the change of seasons. It starts and ends at the same time every year.

The premenstrual dysphoric disorder may seem like a premenstrual symptom, but it is a worse condition. The person may experience depression, anxiety, boredom, and extreme anger 7 to 10 days before the menstruation.

Supporting someone with a mental health problem

Mental health has become a big issue nowadays, as around 10.7% of the global population is facing mental health disorders. Like a physical disease, support for mental illness is necessary. However, the support can be done in two ways, through the family, and through the organization.

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Mental Health: Organizational support

Nowadays, there are many organizations that provide mental health support. Some organizations even offer 24/7 call services to support the people with mental health, the people who want to discuss their problems. 'Kan Pete Roi' is such an organization that offers mental health support in Bangladesh.

Kan Pete Roi is the first psychological support helpline in Bangladesh, where anyone can call and get emergency psychological services from trained volunteers. The main purpose of Kan Pete Roi's helpline is to help many people in society to overcome depression, loneliness, stress, and suicidal tendencies, and to provide them with emotional support. With this goal in mind, Kan Pete Roi listens to people with a completely open mind by maintaining privacy and compassion.

Apart from Kaan Pete Roi, there are some other organizations that work via phone and in person. For example, Moner Bondu is another organization that aims to make mental healthcare accessible and affordable for all online and offline. They offer psychosocial counseling support through a 24/7 helpline.

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Some other organizations that work for mental health are, Moner Daktar, LifeSpring, Sajida Foundation, and Psychological Health and Wellness Clinic – PHWC and Psycure Organization.

Some traditional offline support systems are also available, such as the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Child Development Center (CDC), Psycho-social Counseling Unit Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), Psychological Service Center, Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, DU and more.

Mental Health: Support from family

Sometimes, mental illness starts in the family. So, support from family is highly essential even if the person is consulting with a doctor. At this time, the support of the family, especially the parents, siblings, husband/wife, is most needed. The family can care for the patient by treating mental illness like physical illness. Support from family boosts mental wellbeing.

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Final words

At one time there was a kind of fear or taboo among the public about mental illness. But now it has started to normalize mental illness. The treatment of mental illness has changed dramatically in the last 70 years. Now even complex patients can recover through treatment. People are beginning to understand the mental health issue and their taboos have been broken a lot.