Mental health is the ability to cope with emotional, psychological and social stress in a healthy way. It influences cognition, perception and behavior and determines how people handle stress, interpersonal relationships and decision-making.

People with mental illness are at greater risk of suicide than those without. It is important to recognize the symptoms and seek help.

Treatment

There are many different treatment options for mental health problems. Some of them are medical (treatment by a general practitioner or psychiatrist), and others are psychological.

Psychotherapy is a form of counseling that helps people change their thoughts, feelings and behaviors to improve their lives. Therapy involves individual or group sessions over weeks to months.

In addition, medications can help relieve the symptoms of some mental health disorders. They are generally used in conjunction with psychotherapy and include antidepressants, mood stabilizers and anxiety medicines.

Some therapists also use technology to provide support on a distance basis, such as through email or a mobile phone app. These technologies have created new opportunities for people to get mental health care.

Some mental illnesses can be so severe that a person needs to be hospitalized. This is usually recommended if an individual is in danger of harming themselves or others, if they can't care for themselves, or if they don't respond well to medication or psychotherapy.

Prevention

Mental health problems affect a large number of people around the world. They can lead to disability and premature death. However, prevention can reduce the impact of these conditions.

Health promotion is a major area of mental health prevention. It involves promoting behaviours and habits that improve a persons health and decrease their risk of becoming mentally unwell.

There are three main types of preventive interventions: universal, selective, and indicated. Selective prevention targets subpopulations that are at greater risk of developing a mental illness, such as low-birth-weight infants or vulnerable children.

Similarly, indicated prevention targets high-risk individuals who have shown signs of a mental disorder but dont meet the diagnostic criteria to qualify for a diagnosis.

Unlike physical illnesses, identifying and diagnosing a mental illness is more difficult. This can make it more difficult to prevent the onset of a mental illness. Nonetheless, the benefits of prevention are well documented and numerous. In addition, the prevention of mental health problems can help save society money and decrease the human costs of treatment.

Education

Education is a key part of helping people with mental health problems. It helps them identify the warning signs, have supportive conversations and learn coping strategies.

Many school districts offer mental health support to students through a variety of methods, including wellness promotion, in-class discussions of coping strategies and small group intervention. These approaches provide mental health services that are accessible and tailored to each childs needs.

Providing mental health care in schools is increasingly popular and is linked to increased access, improved student outcomes and reduced barriers for underserved children and youth.

States are taking a range of actions to increase access to mental health services in schools and support their development as Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems (CSMHSs). These approaches include implementing statewide task forces, improving mental health training for staff and developing school curricula that promote mental health awareness.

Support

A healthy mental state can help you live a full life. This includes the ability to realize your potential, cope with stress and contribute to your community in a productive way.

People with a mental illness often need help to achieve this. Treatment can include psychotherapy (talk therapy) or medicines, as well as lifestyle changes such as avoiding illicit drugs and alcohol.

It may also require hospital assessment and admission, depending on how severe the symptoms are and how they affect your daily life. The most effective treatment is one that addresses the causes of your symptoms as well as addressing your symptoms themselves.

People with a mental health problem can benefit from support from friends, family and healthcare professionals. A good way to start is by talking to someone you trust about your feelings and experiences.