• There is a growing need for all of us to be crystal clear on why mental health matters. As our awareness continues to rise, we can see both for ourselves and as a race it matters more and more in our day to day life.

    Many of us might think of ‘Mental Health’ as simply covering ‘mental disorders’. That such matters are the preserve of the unwell – the depressed, disordered, even suicidal. Evidence also suggests half of us will suffer from some form of mental illness during our lifetime (Andrews, 2005). And of course the severe impact of Covid is making the numbers grow worse daily. Far greater anxiety, far greater depression, and far greater rates of suicide.

    So why does it matter?

  • Why Mental Health Matters?

    I believe that Mental Health is firmly for the well.  My contention is that no matter what our historic levels of well-being, or indeed our current level of well-being, that we can all do a little better. And this idea is supported empirically.

    If we are struggling (rating our happiness 1-3 out of 10) we can use the skills of Resilience to bounce back quicker. If we are doing ok (4-7 out of 10) we can use well-being techniques to push us into the higher zone. And if we are already rating ourselves 8-10 out of 10 we can find practical ways to optimise our well-being while we are there and build our capacity to better deal with future times when we might not be.

    And a plethora of studies throughout the world illustrate the point that good mental health produces a series of individual, personal benefits. It strengthens our ability to have healthy relationships, make good life choices, maintain physical health, and handle the natural ups and downs of life to name but a few.

    And positive Mental Health has implications for society too. Aside from developing better people and communities, positive mental health reduces global healthcare costs significantly too.

    For example, one study of people with anxiety disorders showed that after psychological treatment, the number of medical visits decreased by 90%, laboratory costs decreased by 50%, and overall treatment costs dropped by 35%.

    And in addition to the personal benefits and those for society, positive mental health is also good for organisations. Yes indeed, mental health is good for business. Something that we’re all coming to terms with during Covid, where the potential costs could be very dramatic.

    Rather than being limited to an unfortunate minority suffering from a mental disorder, mental health is very relevant and important for us all.

    So, if you’ve not given it much thought before, perhaps this a good opportunity to assess how you’re doing in your head and think about how things could get better – for the benefit of you, our communities and organisations and for our society. 

    One simple way to engage in it in the context of Corona is to have a skim through my Combat the Corona Crisis ebook.

    CLICK HERE and download it for free!

     

    Have a great week and be in touch if I can help at all,

     

    Andrew