Mental Health

Original Editor - Lucinda hampton

Top Contributors - Lucinda hampton, Cindy John-Chu and Aminat Abolade  

Introduction[edit | edit source]

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Mental health has a huge impact on every aspect of people's lives. It affects behaviour, physical health, work and relationships, as well as the people around them,

[1]The Who define mental health thus:

"Mental health is the foundation for the well-being and effective functioning of individuals. It is more than the absence of a mental disorder; it is the ability to think, learn, and understand one's emotions and the reactions of others. Mental health is a state of balance, both within and with the environment. Physical, psychological, social, cultural, spiritual and other interrelated factors participate in producing this balance. There are inseparable links between mental and physical health"[2]

Having poor mental health is often confused with having a mental illness. But mental health actually refers to a person's state of mental well-being whether or not they have a psychiatric condition.[3]

Mental Disorders[edit | edit source]

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Mental disorders refer to all of the diagnosable mental disorders. Mental disorders are characterized by abnormalities in thinking, feelings, or behaviours. Mental health disorders can generally be grouped into categories. Some of the most common include:

See Mental Health - Conditions

Risk Factors[edit | edit source]

Risk factor: Homelessness

Risk factors that can increase the likelihood that a person may experience poor mental health, and include: Discrimination; Exposure to Trauma; Family History of Mental Illness; Being a Refugee: Low Income; Medical Illness; Poor Access to Health Services; Poor Self-Esteem; Poor Social Skills; Social Inequalities; Substance Use.[3]

Mental Health Statistics Worldwide[edit | edit source]

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Regrettably, worldwide mental health statistics show that the prevalence of mental illnesses has increased significantly over the past decade. Stigma and lack of awareness and support surrounding mental health problems fuel this rise.

  • Over 970 million people in the world are affected by a mental health or substance use disorder.
  • Mental health statistics by gender confirm that women are two times more likely to suffer from depression.
  • About 9% of people suffer from eating disorders, based on the most recent global mental health statistics.
  • 34% of Gen Z's stated their mental health got worse during the pandemic.
  • LGBT adults are more at risk of mental health disorders (86% were bullied in school)[4].
  • There is a a new emerging phobia specific to COVID-19, coronaphobia[5].

Physiotherapy Relevance[edit | edit source]

See Mental Health, Physical Activity and Physical Therapy

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Australian Government Mental Health Available:https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/mental-health-and-suicide-prevention/about-mental-health (accessed 20.4.2022)
  2. WHO Mental Health Available:https://www.who.int/westernpacific/health-topics/mental-health (accessed 20.4.2022)
  3. 3.0 3.1 Very well mind Mental health Available: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-mental-health-2330755(accessed 20.4.2022)
  4. Loud Cloud health 45 Worldwide Mental Health Statistics to Blow Your Mind Available:https://loudcloudhealth.com/resources/mental-health-statistics/ (accessed 20.4.2022)
  5. Arora A, Jha AK, Alat P, Das SS. Understanding coronaphobia. Asian Journal of Psychiatry. 2020 Dec 1;54:102384.Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33271693/(accessed 20.4.2022)