World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day, on 10 October, is a day to raise awareness of the effects mental illness has on millions of people’s lives across the world, and to help educate and inform us all.

Do the preparation task first. Then read the article and do the exercises.

Preparation

Around the world, one in four people will have some kind of mental illness during their lifetime. Around 450 million people are living with a mental health problem right now, making it one of the biggest health issues in the world. Yet people rarely talk about any mental health problems they have because there is still a lot of stigma.

World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health (WMH) Day was first celebrated in 1992. It was created to raise awareness of just how common mental health issues are, fight against stigma and campaign for better conditions and treatment for people who have a mental health problem. The number of people and organisations involved in celebrating WMH Day has grown and grown, and now many countries, such as Australia, actually have a Mental Health Week, which includes WMH Day on 10 October. Each year there is a different theme. For example, in 2017 the theme was mental health in the workplace.

Mental health in the workplace

Employers should create an environment which supports good mental health. This also helps to reduce the number of days employees take off work. Employers should help employees to achieve a good work–life balance by encouraging them to take breaks and holidays and discouraging them from working at home in the evenings and at weekends. Employees should also feel that they can talk to their managers about any problems they might have, and employers should be supportive.

Get some exercise

Of course, we also need to look after our own mental health. Most people know that exercise is good for your body, but did you also know how good it is for your mental health? Regular exercise can really help you deal with anxiety and depression. Spending time in nature can also make people more relaxed and reduce stress. So why not get your exercise by going for a walk in a park or the countryside?

Eat well

Your diet can also change your mood. If you eat crisps, cake, chocolate, etc., your blood sugar will rise and fall, making you feel cross and tired. Make sure you are eating enough vegetables and fruit or you may be missing some nutrients you need to feel good. It’s also important to drink enough water – being thirsty can make it difficult to think clearly.

Spend time with family and friends

Everyone needs some time alone, but it’s also good for us to spend time with other people. If you feel lonely, try volunteering. It’s a good way of meeting new people, and you will feel good for helping others. One survey showed that 48 per cent of people who volunteered for more than two years said they felt less depressed as a result. If you do have close friends and family, try talking to them more about how you feel and asking them to support you. Every time someone speaks to someone else about mental illness, it helps to reduce the stigma.

What to do on World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day encourages us to be more aware of both our own mental health and other people’s. As well as looking after yourself, think about how you could support other people. For example, you could find out more about common issues such as anxiety and depression, so you will understand friends’ and colleagues’ problems better. You could also encourage your workplace to start a wellness programme that would benefit everyone – they might offer free exercise classes or encourage employees to take walks at lunchtime. Companies with wellness programmes have found employees take 28 per cent less time off for sickness.

Anything you do on WMH Day, even just talking to people about it, will help us all to understand and support people better.

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Submitted by Jorge Fabricio on Thu, 15/10/2020 - 03:30

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Very Interesting. Definitly very goods ideas¡

Submitted by ImaneB on Wed, 14/10/2020 - 09:58

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There are many good ideas in the article..depression and anxiety can affect anyone, in his life, depending on events and experience he goes through. To avoid or reduce this mental issues, we can also : Get away from toxic or negative people, Take the right personel decisions, Ignore what others think, social prejudices...

Submitted by Soe Pyae on Wed, 07/10/2020 - 16:59

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Yes, good idea for workplace. We need to try this. For me , I usually don't give time for walk during office hours. Yes, it is a common reason ...that is bcos of quite busy . So , I have my meals first and get back to work almost everyday . sitting in front of my computer's screen all day long isn't good thing for both mental and physical health. I / We need to change .Work is important but no more than our lives . We should give time for ourselves . Enjoy the life in this world ! My writing is not like a comment , right ? ha ha ...just ignore it ....
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Submitted by Rafaela1 on Tue, 06/10/2020 - 13:03

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A good sleep will save you!

Submitted by Min Htet Kaung on Tue, 15/09/2020 - 16:19

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Everytime, everyone all over the world has to subject to at least one of eight kinds of impact due to circumstances. Those kinds of impact are (1) wealth, (2) poverty, (3)having lots of friends, (4)lack of friends, (5)being praised,(6) being blamed, (7) satisfaction and (8) suffering. After knowing them, we have to prepare to withstand them with tranquil mind. One way is to reduce attachment to materials and people, i.e, our property, family members and close friends. Nothing and nobody is permanent and cannot be controlled, for example, even our own bodies. We cannot stop them not to be old and die. Other way is to do meditation. In those ways, we can reduce stress and depression to some extent.
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Submitted by OlaIELTS on Sat, 06/06/2020 - 00:52

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This could involves chatting on social media, hearing music, browsing new ideas, a short visits, attending events and so on.
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Submitted by NataliyaRus on Wed, 01/04/2020 - 14:49

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It seems to me that it's very difficult to persuade a person that he/she has some mentality problem. It's easier for them to reject all the offers of their relatives to see a psychiatrist than admit they have been ill. In my country it is all about the stigma.
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Submitted by Rafaela1 on Thu, 23/01/2020 - 12:52

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I was once told by an elderly person, "I'm 100% sure that you are far from a person with a mental problem." Oh my goodness, I can't sleep, because I'm worried about what it means!

Submitted by Kariri on Wed, 22/01/2020 - 10:37

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That what makes us strong, when we help each other, taking care of ourself also when people start to enjoy what they have before they ask for more, WHD is a good opportunity to reduce the stigma in the society which will lead more people aware of their Mental Health.

Submitted by lifelearner on Sat, 04/01/2020 - 08:13

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• that an interesting question because I just have created a plan today for improving my focus, boosting my energy and wakefulness. there are a lot of things one can do. i do believe that being in a good condition psychologically is an essential topic that is often stigmatized in thirld world country where most people are not aware to global health issues. Firstly, meditate daily for ten minutes. Meditation help focus the mind and control negative thoughts as a result you learn a technique that will help you in stress management. Secondly, make sure to sleep well, at least eight hours a day. sleep deprivation is linked to mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Thirdly, eat balanced diet that is rich in omega3, B vitamins, and serotonin like banana,sardines,chocolate.and make sure you hydrate well. Finally, there are dozens of tips for maintain a mental wellness such as volunteering, having a work-life balance.make sure to get a psychiatric treatment if you in need.