Mental Health 101

Mental health refers to our cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being. It has the ability to affect our daily living, relationships and physical health as it revolves around how we think, feel and behave. It can be difficult to truly understand what someone is feeling and this usually leads to many misconceptions about mental health hence building a huge wall around it. We hope to shed some light to this topic so Malaysians will have a better understanding about mental health rather than shunning away.



What is mental health?
The World Health Organization (WHO) definies 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. They emphasize the importance of preserving and restoring mental health on an individual basis as well as throughout different communities and societies.

Risk factors of mental health conditions.
Everyone has some risk at developing a mental health disorder, regardless of your age, gender, ethnicity or social background. It’s important to know that good mental health depends on a thoughtful balance in life. Social and economic pressure as well as biological factors all contribute to a disrupted mental health.

With the current economic state we are in due to the pandemic, it can increase the risk of mental health disorders due limited financial means or by simply belonging to a marginalised group in society.

Meanwhile, genetic family history may also have a tendency to increase the likelihood of developing mental health conditions. Having a gene that links to a mental health disorder does not mean that it will develop. Likewise, people without such genes or a family history may still develop mental health issues. In some cases, mental health disorders may develop overtime due to life-changing physical health conditions or ailments.

Early signs and symptoms.
Mental health conditions are often known as a silent epidemic because there isn’t a physical test or scan that indicates a disorder. However, there are several signs that we should look out for that may suggest a possible sign of a mental health disorder.

1. Self-isolation or withdrawal from family and friends.
2. Sleeping too much or too little.
3. Eating too much or too little.
4. Consistently having low energy or displaying negative emotions.
5. Using mood-altering substances such as alcohol or nicotine as a form of distraction.
6. Thinking or talking about causing physical harm to themselves or others.

Treatments.
There are various treatment methods to manage mental health conditions. It’s important to understand that treatments are highly individual and there just isn’t a standard treatment for everyone. Psychotherapy, medication and self-help are some examples of treatment.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of self-harm, suicide or harming other people, please reach out to Befrienders (03-76272929 or via email sam@befrienders.org.my) for free, confidential and 24-hour emotional support.