Not merely the absence of disease
"A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity"
That is the World Health Organisation's definition of health. It is broad, and so it should be because health is broad. It specifically mentions mental and social well-being, because mental and social health is not inferior to physical health.
20% of the UK's population has a mental health condition, that is 10.2 million people. 10.2 million families. 10.2 million stories and lives. In comparison 30% of the UK's population has a long term condition, that is 15.4 million people. Long term conditions and health are so widely talked about, there is very little taboo or stigma surrounding them and the care provided is far superior.
Mental health is hidden to the eye- this can be both a blessing and a curse. Okay so everyone you meet might not know you are ill, and you can cover it from people who you don't want to tell. But then try and tell someone that you don't know why you feel or think or act in a certain way, you just do, or your mind tells you to. People, society, our doctors and nurses struggle to understand and believe you.
Depression is often the first mental health condition people think of. Depression is often triggered, for example either by a life experience, or through substance abuse such as Alcoholism. Alcohol abuse and dependence is life ruining. I have cared for patients with Dementia due to life long alcohol abuse as alcohol abuse results in Thiamine (Vitamin B12) deficiency causing Korsakoff's Syndrome. In January 2016 I completed Dry January. I didn't do it to fundraise for charity, I did it to prove I can live without alcohol and that I don't need alcohol to have a good time. And to be honest, since then I've drunk very little and have a greater appreciation for enjoying just one drink.
There are hundreds and hundreds of other mental health conditions - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) [Not exclusive to soldiers so drop that thought], Bipolar Disorder [A type of depression], Personality Disorders. And of course people live normal happy lives with these conditions, when surrounded by a strong support network and free of judgement from society.
Mental health conditions are not a death sentence in the same way as some physical conditions, and this can be great. People can manage their conditions and learn to adapt, which can be seriously empowering. Mental health conditions are caused by chemical or physical differences or changes in the physiology of the brain - some of these differences are present from birth. For example Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are present from birth [And no, ensuring your child has a garden to run around in will not 'cure' these conditions]. Some of the world's best scientists, artists, musicians, actors etc have ASD - Albert Einstein and Tim Burton are two that jump to mind instantly. Autism is not a dirty word. Autistic people have great minds far powerful than the average person. They do struggle with communication, social events and forming relationships.
People are so quick to judge people with mental health conditions. Some of the most wonderful people I've met and know have mental health conditions. It makes them who they are, and I like them, I love them just the way they are. If you knew someone and were friends with them before finding out about their mental health, or maybe you found out about the mental health condition at the same time as your friend or loved one. Remember you liked them before you knew, they haven't changed. A diagnosis, a name, a condition has been attached to them, but it does not change who they are and what you like about them.
That is the World Health Organisation's definition of health. It is broad, and so it should be because health is broad. It specifically mentions mental and social well-being, because mental and social health is not inferior to physical health.
20% of the UK's population has a mental health condition, that is 10.2 million people. 10.2 million families. 10.2 million stories and lives. In comparison 30% of the UK's population has a long term condition, that is 15.4 million people. Long term conditions and health are so widely talked about, there is very little taboo or stigma surrounding them and the care provided is far superior.
Mental health is hidden to the eye- this can be both a blessing and a curse. Okay so everyone you meet might not know you are ill, and you can cover it from people who you don't want to tell. But then try and tell someone that you don't know why you feel or think or act in a certain way, you just do, or your mind tells you to. People, society, our doctors and nurses struggle to understand and believe you.
Depression is often the first mental health condition people think of. Depression is often triggered, for example either by a life experience, or through substance abuse such as Alcoholism. Alcohol abuse and dependence is life ruining. I have cared for patients with Dementia due to life long alcohol abuse as alcohol abuse results in Thiamine (Vitamin B12) deficiency causing Korsakoff's Syndrome. In January 2016 I completed Dry January. I didn't do it to fundraise for charity, I did it to prove I can live without alcohol and that I don't need alcohol to have a good time. And to be honest, since then I've drunk very little and have a greater appreciation for enjoying just one drink.
There are hundreds and hundreds of other mental health conditions - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) [Not exclusive to soldiers so drop that thought], Bipolar Disorder [A type of depression], Personality Disorders. And of course people live normal happy lives with these conditions, when surrounded by a strong support network and free of judgement from society.
Mental health conditions are not a death sentence in the same way as some physical conditions, and this can be great. People can manage their conditions and learn to adapt, which can be seriously empowering. Mental health conditions are caused by chemical or physical differences or changes in the physiology of the brain - some of these differences are present from birth. For example Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are present from birth [And no, ensuring your child has a garden to run around in will not 'cure' these conditions]. Some of the world's best scientists, artists, musicians, actors etc have ASD - Albert Einstein and Tim Burton are two that jump to mind instantly. Autism is not a dirty word. Autistic people have great minds far powerful than the average person. They do struggle with communication, social events and forming relationships.
People are so quick to judge people with mental health conditions. Some of the most wonderful people I've met and know have mental health conditions. It makes them who they are, and I like them, I love them just the way they are. If you knew someone and were friends with them before finding out about their mental health, or maybe you found out about the mental health condition at the same time as your friend or loved one. Remember you liked them before you knew, they haven't changed. A diagnosis, a name, a condition has been attached to them, but it does not change who they are and what you like about them.
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