Mental health has come to the fore in recent times, with a large number of high-profile cases highlighting the fact that mental health affects everyone and is important for us all. Being able to say that you feel well and are in good health is essentially intrinsically connected with your mental health. This article will provide some genuine insights as to why mental health is so important for us all and what needs to be done to bring the discussion into the mainstream.
What is mental health
Mental health is all-encompassing, and perhaps that’s why it has been so confusing for so many for so long. It includes emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing and is all about how we think, feel and act. Mental health is thus adversely affected by stress and is a vital component of overall health for people of all ages, races, creeds, and cultures. It is also intrinsically linked to physical health and depression and can cause a host of physical illnesses that can be debilitating.
The rise in the need for mental health practitioners
With the number of Americans living with mental health challenges skyrocketing, mental healthcare is now a profession that is more in demand than ever before. Job opportunities abound now, and an Online BS in Psychology Albany is a fantastic way to get into the profession. It is a profession that is growing and has a great deal more options than ever before. From family counseling to dietary and children’s therapy, art to musical therapies or solutions, the range of people who need mental health support and the range of possible solutions is as varied as society itself.
This has primarily been based on the acceptance of mental health issues as serious and worthy of proper consideration by the medical fraternity as well as by employers, coaches, and society at large.
Widespread acceptance of mental health as an issue
The only way that mental health can be dealt with is through its acceptance as a challenge or an issue. For a long time, mental health in our society was simply overlooked. Specifically for men, or those in positions of power and authority, sportsmen and women, and social media influencers were expected not to have any mental health issues, and those who did were seen as less than.
This has changed, and there is now widespread acceptance of mental health and the fact that it presents so differently for everyone concerned. Even those who are seen as heroes and heroines can and do have mental health challenges.
The most recent positive change has been that of professional athletes and coaches accepting that mental health is a major challenge that needs to be discussed and addressed in the sporting workplace.
Unless people are able to openly confront, discuss and act to protect and improve their mental health, it can have disastrous effects on physical health and overall wellbeing. Now that we have gained a level of acceptance and understanding of mental health and the various ways that we can all be affected, as a society, we will have a much better chance of dealing with this widespread issue or challenge.
