Mental
Health is a topic that is not mentioned in every day conversations, it is
placed under the radar and most likely arises when we are faced with issues or challenges
in our lives, . In the past couple of years , there has been tremendous
research done and many families, those in the medical
profession and health care have advocated for those suffering from mental
health issues .There is still a lot to be done for those suffering from mental
health issues , most importantly the stigma attached to mental health is
a major cause for concern, there are various mental health conditions ,
some we may not be aware of and may not be able to identify these our
interaction with others whether it be our friends and loved ones. Before we
dive into mental health, what exactly is mental health.? The World Health Organization (WHO) constitution states:
"Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and
not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." An important implication
of this definition is that mental health is more than just the absence of
mental disorders or disabilities.
Mental health is a state of
well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope
with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a
contribution to his or her community.
Now that we have better understanding
on what mental health means, let’s look at different types of mental health
disorders. They include: anxiety disorders, panic disorders, depression, mood
disorder , bipolar disorder, eating disorders , personality disorders ,post
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Schizophrenia.
Mood disorders such as depression account for 30%
of the reported cases of mental illness in Trinidad and Tobago. The last
Global School Health Survey (2007) conducted in Trinidad and Tobago revealed
that 21.5 % of students felt sad or hopeless almost every day to the extent
that they stopped doing their usual activities. (Government of The
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago , 2022).
Lets pay attention, that this
survey was conducted in 2007 , now with the many societal changes that have
occurred during the years such as a pandemic , natural disasters , stressful working conditions, physical ill health , human rights violation , unhealthy lifestyle and gender discrimination these are some factors that have a huge impact on one's mental health. Therefore , we can imagine if this survey was to be done again , we can presume that there will be an increase in such cases.
To boost the chances of early detection and prevention, the Ministry of Health has began integrating mental health care into primary care. To improve mental health care, boost services given through community and primary health care, and make mental health treatment more accessible to a larger number of nationals, the following steps are being implemented:
v The review the Mental Health Act to incorporate recent developments in mental health care. The
v updated bill will be laid in parliament in early 2013;
v The decentralization of mental health care by installing a mental health care unit in all hospitals in the Regional Health Authorities;
v The offer of a more holistic programme at each mental health care unit;
v The development of policies and programmes to incorporate mental health care into community and primary health care;
v The training of additional resources to treat with mental illness; and
v Ongoing educational initiatives to increase the awareness of what mental health is, the determinants of mental health and the services and support available to the public (Government of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago , 2022).
TREATMENT
Treatment for most mental disorders include;
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) ,- this helps the individual to change their thinking patterns.
Psychotropic agents- These consist of Medication , suited to the individuals diagnosis.
LOCAL SERVICES
If you or anyone you know is expressing suicidal intent or showing warning signs call Lifeline at 800-5588 (toll free) 231-2824 or 220-3636 or reach out to Trinidad and Tobago Association of Psychologist at 717-8837.
Questions
- What are some reasons why you think mental health is a stigma?
- What are some ways that you can help those with a mental disorder?
