Mental Health Assessment

Mind over Matter

Before you start reading this, be very clear about one thing. The only person stopping you from progress is yourself. This may seem like a controversial statement right now, but you'll see what we are getting at. So, are you ready? Alright, let's begin!

Our daily lives are woven with bits and pieces from different avenues – work, friendships, activities in free time, quality time with family, etc. In all these bits, there is one bit that we often ignore or take for granted – our mental health. Why is such an important aspect paid no heed? What does it take for a person to understand that mental health is as important as physical health, if not more? Why do we not go for the best mental health assessment, just like a physical health check-up to a doctor? Why do people not talk about their mental health and discuss issues which bother us? What can we do to break the stigma surrounding mental health? These are a few of the actual questions one needs to ponder instead of focusing on worldly ambitions.

No, Do not get us wrong (as much as we would love it); we are not asking you to drop everything and become immensely involved in mental health wellbeing. We simply ask you to take care, know about yourself, introspect and act on yourself. It is called self-love. Make self-love a priority. Think of it this way. You work hard to earn money. You provide for yourself and contribute to your family with the money you make.

Now, if you are so overworked and stressed out and burned out that you cannot even function properly, and then what is the point of earning all that money? Either way, you are not living a comfortable life. No, we do not mean the angled couch on your living room, which has soft cushions, or your 65" plasma television hanging on your bedroom wall. We mean your mental health in a nutshell. Whether you are sleeping well, how your work affects you, your communication with your partner, and everything else. Focusing on the right thing is crucial. And it's high time that we focus on what matters. You do. Your mental health does. Your mind does matter. If in need, you should resort to the best treatment for mental health.

What is the Need for Mental Health?

Our body and brain are complementary. One cannot function without the other. If the brain works but the body doesn't, it is paralysis. Similarly, if the body works but the brain doesn't, it is brain dead. To make proper use of both these together, we must focus on mental health along with our physical wellness. Best mental health resources can be used to understand, evaluate and feel good about ourselves. Mental health is important because –

• It helps a person's confidence.
• It improves the general sense of well being
• It increases the self-esteem
• It helps us to function well in our day to day lives
• We can have healthy relationships
• We can enjoy and appreciate life

Who Do You Approach For Your Mental Health?

Now that you know the importance of mental health, you will probably acknowledge that it is an essential aspect of our lives. One might ask, who do we turn to for these problems? And should we go to a doctor only when we face a problem? Who is the correct person to approach for the best mental health assessment? Well, you can seek help from a mental health professional. Who are mental health professionals? Anyone qualified with a degree and relevant work experience in mental health is a professional. There are several types of mental health professionals –

• Clinical Social Workers – These are trained to assess and implement therapy techniques for people with mental and behavioural problems.

• Counsellors/Therapists – These are master's degree holders trained in mental health issues; they understand the problems and conduct different therapies to tackle those issues. They provide solutions to people who struggle with drug addiction, relationship problems, etc.

• Psychologists – Psychologists are doctors who treat behavioural and mental issues of a person. They cannot prescribe medication but can implement therapy on the patients.

• Psychiatrists – Psychiatrists are medical professionals who can treat the patient and prescribe medication. People seek the help of a psychiatrist for their mental health wellbeing when they have a severe cognitive or behavioural issue that needs to be addressed.

Causes and Types of Mental Disorders

When we talk about mental health, we focus on the positive side. The other side of that is mental illness and disorders. These are many issues connected with our mood, emotions, thinking and behaviour. It affects how we talk, behave, act, work, think and interact with people. Prolonged mental stress can affect a person and cause illness. To avoid these illnesses, one must go for the best mental health assessment timely. That being said, there can be several causes of mental and behavioural disorders –

• Chemical Imbalances in the brain due to biological factors
• Family history and gene
• Use of alcohol and recreational drugs
• Traumatic life experiences, death of a loved one
• History of abuse, trauma, sexual exploitation
• Mother's injury or exposure to chemicals during pregnancy
• High-pressure work environment
• Having a serious medical condition
• Experiencing violence or near death situations

There are several types of mental disorders. These disorders also alter a person's behaviour, which is why these are called behavioural disorders. These conditions affect our thinking, behaviours, mood and feelings. These can be occasional changes or long-lasting. If prolonged, these conditions can affect how we relate to others and function daily. Most of these are severe conditions that need the best treatment for mental health. Few of these disorders are –

• Anxiety Disorders
• Panic Disorders
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Phobias
• Substance Use Disorder
• Depression
• Mood Disorders
• Bi-Polar Disorder
• Eating Disorders
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Personality Disorder
• Psychotic Disorder

Factors Affecting Our Mental Health

Our minds are influential. It does not give up on us quickly. That being said, there are certain areas that we need to tread carefully. There is a difference between being assertive and being insensitive. While the former helps us cope with challenges, the latter can diminish our confidence and hinder our progress for our mental health wellbeing. Several factors come into play that affects our mental health –

• Alcohol and Drug Abuse
• Unemployment or loss of job
• Domestic and family violence
• Isolation and loneliness
• Experiencing harsh loss or grief
• Bullying and Abuse
• Major Life events
• Sleeping problems

Another major factor that needs to be addressed is the relationship between social media and mental health. Over the years, the internet has set unrealistic goals and standards that have affected the mass more negatively than positively. A study showed that spending more than three hours on social media daily put people at higher risk for mental health problems. This means –

• More internalizing problems
• Increased risk of depression
• Increased anxiety
• Masking underlying problems
• Increased chronic stress
• Increased loneliness and boredom
• Using social media as a security blanket
• Encouraging anti-social behaviour
• Setting unrealistic expectations
• Setting unrealistic beauty standards
• Developing a Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO)
• Increased Cyberbullying
• Developing Self Absorption
• Increased Narcissistic Tendencies

Taking Care of Mental Health

'Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high' – these words by Rabindranath Tagore provides much-needed guidance and direction in a time of confusion, torment and trouble. We must take care of ourselves and our mental health to live a rich, healthy and robust life. No one in this world will care for you as much as you have to. If you do not value yourself, then no one else will. This brings us back to the very first paragraph. Hope you still remember that.

There are various ways you can go about it to look after your mental health. Taking care of yourself and changing your lifestyle is one way to go about it. Another way is to have access to mental health resources so that you can readily get the required help. Barring those, here are a few tips on how you can take care of your mental health daily –

• Talk it out – Talk and express your feelings. Keeping them bottled up will do you no good. Your mind should be a functional organ, not a pressure cooker.

• Keep yourself active – Be it exercising for 5 minutes, going to the gym, or walking home from the bus stop, and keeping yourself engaged.

• Eat well – You know what they say. Good food, good mood and that is true. Have quantified nutrition and eat protein and vitamin-rich food. Eat foods that are higher in antioxidants.

• Drink in moderation – Control your urge to drink more than the recommended limit. Alcohol is a depressant, and consuming more of it will only make you sadder in the long run.

• Reach out – Ask for help when required. Do not feel cornered or left out. After all, you are only human. It is not a sign of weakness but strength. Seek help from a mental health therapist for all your stressors.

• Do Something You like – Pick up that book, play that guitar, enjoy that movie, go to your favourite restaurant, treat yourself; Do Something that you want to ease the stress.

• Unwind – Take a vacation, switch off that phone. Ignore that work mail. The job you have is a part of your life; It is not your entire life. Do not stress about a company that will take less than a week to replace you if you drop dead, so take it easy.

• Learn to say 'No' – This is one of the most important things you can do to have sound mental health. Establish clear boundaries. This will empower you while still maintaining working relationships with others.

SimranShri Rehabilitation Centre – A Place for Mental Health and Wellness

Based in Noida, at SimranShri Rehabilitation Centre, we aim to improve men's mental health and wellness. One of the main issues that we deal with is addiction and abuse. The problem with abuse and addiction is that the person's mental health also deteriorates. Through a scientific approach that empowers natural healing, we help men get back on track. Our doctors, counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists have over 30 years of experience dealing with addiction. They conduct the best mental health assessment of the residents and provide the necessary therapy required.

At our rehabilitation centre, we provide the following services –

• Alcohol Addiction Treatment
• Drug Addiction Treatment
• Withdrawal Management
• Detoxification Services
• 12 Step Programs
• Group Therapy
• Psychotherapy
• Dance Sessions
• Family Therapy
• Depression Counseling
• Just For Today Sessions
• Life Management Sessions
• Values and Morals Sessions
• Yoga and Meditation Sessions

With these benefits, you will get the necessary treatment for mental health disorders along with de-addiction services and support. So if you know anyone who's not doing fine after snorting the white line, then call us. We will be glad to help. And for once, just once, take care of yourself, you amazing human.