by: Mary Jane O. Velasquez
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
Before the pandemic happened, health was seen or referred to be mostly existing in a physical aspect. In fact, a person is considered unhealthy if diseases are evident on the physical body, which is a term called “physical illness”. The physical maladies that we see are called “signs”, while the internal disturbances that we feel once a disease happen are called “symptoms”.
Though it is partially correct, we may have not been aware of the importance of another aspect: our mental health. Based on MentalHealth.gov, mental health is our emotional, social, and psychological well-being that affects our way of thinking, feeling and action. It also is a way to check how we can handle stress, empathize, and interact with others, and create decisions. Therefore, it is important at stages of life, from childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. In the course of our lives, when we experience mental health problems, our thoughts, mood, and behaviors could be affected, with factors contributing to it such as life experiences, in the form of abuse or trauma; family history, and biological factors like genetics and neurological chemistry.
However, if there is a difference in the physical health and physical illness, there is also a difference in the terms “mental health” and “mental illness”. As defined by the Central for Disease and Control (CDC), mental illness is the condition affecting an individual’s thinking, mood, behavior, and feeling. It can include the following: depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, or schizophrenia. This was supported by Christopher M. Palmer, M.D., the director of McLean’s Department of Postgraduate and Continuing Education. He pointed out that, “The term ‘mental health’ implies the absence of illness or disorder. But there are a lot of ways people can be mentally healthy or ill, just like there are many ways to be physically healthy or unwell.”
It is essential that we understand the difference of mental health and mental illness in respect to the prevalence of mental illness worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), reports of neurological, mental, and substance use disorders are about 10% “of the global burden of disease”, while 30% are non-fatal burden disease. In addition, WHO also pointed out that some 800,000 people commit suicide each year, about 20% of the world population of children and adolescents experience mental disorder, and 264 million people in the world is affected by depression.
Based on Mental Health Foundation, physical health and mental health affect each other. Poor physical health leads to an elevated risk of mental health problems development, while poor mental health has a negative impact on physical health which leads to higher risks of some conditions.
However, Dr. Palmer also emphasized that an individual is not their mental health condition. He said, “The thing with all mental health disorders is that none of them define the entire person. Although their symptoms might impair their ability to do things others are able to do, they still have areas of strength and competence. Whenever we talk about health versus illness, it’s always important to remember this.”
One way of keeping you physically healthy while improving your mental health is to do a physical activity. “Research shows that doing exercise influences the release and uptake of feel-good chemicals called endorphins in the brain.” A short burst of 10 minutes brisk walking, gardening, running, aerobics, or gentle forms of exercise can elevate our mental alertness, energy, and positive mood, therefore improving our quality of life.
Another way of boosting our mental health, one crucial factor, is through good nutrition. “A healthy balanced diet is one that includes healthy amounts of proteins, essential fats, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. The food we eat can influence the development, management and prevention of numerous mental health conditions including depression and Alzheimer's.” Renato U. Paragas, M.D., the medical director of VER1REV Enterprise, reminds you to always follow the proper hydration formula which is 50 ml/kg/day. Dr. Paragas recommends that we should restore the lost minerals by supplementing our drinking water with IONIQUE® Concentrated Mineral Drops (IONIQUE® CMD). IONIQUE® Minerals is a mineral supplement that contains 72 macro- and trace minerals that the internal systems need to work optimally at its cellular and molecular level.
The pandemic is a threat to our mental health for more than a year, and it has highlighted the essence of both physical and mental health. May is the month for our mental health awareness, so we, the VER1REV Enterprise, are here to remind you that we are in this together. To address you through your health questions, message our Facebook Page Ionique Minerals Philippines and we will assist you. You are valid. You are loved. You are worth it. Most especially, you are God’s beloved, that’s why you are important.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
MENTAL HEALTH SHOUTOUT
F- Feel free to talk to someone dear to you when in adversity;
O- Organize your daily schedule with exercise and a balanced nutrition;
R- Rest in your little breaks from work.
Y- You are a masterpiece of this world;
O- One with your body, soul, mind, and the nature;
U- Under the challenges that you face, you are always accompanied by God. Have faith, pray, and take a deep breath.
REFERENCES:
Physical health and mental health. Mental Health Foundation. (2020, February 10). Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/p/physical-health-and-mental-health.
What Is Mental Health? What Is Mental Health? | MentalHealth.gov. (2020, May 28). Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health#:~:text=Mental%20health%20includes%20our%20emotional,childhood%20and%20adolescence%20through%20adulthood.
Yes, There Is a Big Difference Between Mental Health and Mental Illness. McLean Hospital. (2021, January 3). Retrieved from https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/yes-there-big-difference-between-mental-health-and-mental-illness.