Article by Kyrie Hanna Panjaitan
Mental health is the level of psychological well-being or an absence of mental illness. It is the state of someone who is “functioning at a satisfactory level of emotional and behavioral adjustment”. From the perspective of positive psychology, mental health may include an individual’s ability to enjoy life and to create a balance between life activities and efforts to achieve psychological resilience.
According to WHO, 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. WHO stress that mental health is “more than just the absence of mental disorders or disabilities.” Mental health is not only about avoiding active conditions but also looking after ongoing wellness and happiness.
Emotional and mental health is important because it’s a vital part of life and impacts our thoughts, behaviors and emotions. Being healthy emotionally can promote productivity and effectiveness in activities like work, school or caregiving. It plays an important part in the health of relationships, and allows us to adapt to changes in life and cope with adversity.
Mental health problems may arise due to stress, loneliness, depression and anxiety, relationship problem, death of a loved one, suicidal thoughts, grief, addiction, self harm, various mood disorders or other mental illness of varying degrees. Mental health problems can also occur during quarantine days due to COVID-19.
Because of the importance of mental health, World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health. This year we concern about mental health during quarantine days due to COVID-19. How does quarantine effect mental health?
Fear and anxiety about a new disease and what could happen can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in everyone. Public health actions, such as social distancing, can make people feel isolated and lonely and can increase stress and anxiety. Although it is the best way to stop this virus from spreading, quarantining is not easy and it has some mental health consequences if we don’t learn how to cope with it.
The importance of mental health and mental health disorders becoming CIMSA’s main concern to hold a celebration to commemorate World Mental Health Day 2020. Hence, CIMSA USU in the WMHD 2020 celebration raised the theme BAYMAX: Bring All Your Mental Health Experience, in the form of webinar and campaign with a focus on discussing mental health during COVID-19 quarantine.
References:
- World Health Organization. 2018. Mental health: Strengthening Our Response. Available at : https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response
- World Health Organization. 2019. World Mental Health Day – 10 October. Available at : https://www.who.int/mental_health/world-mental-health-day/en/
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2020. Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19). Available at : https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html
- Mental Health.gov. 2020. What is Mental Health? Available at : https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health
- Picture : https://www.unsplash.com/photos/NPmR0RblyhQ
