October is annually celebrated as Mental Health Awareness month. It is a commemorative period and presents an opportunity to examine our current state of well-being.

Mental health is a complex topic which the World health Organisation defines as “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”  When there is an imbalance in any of these areas, one is said to have a mental illness. It is everyone’s duty to remove the stigma and discrimination that people with mental illnesses are often subjected to.

These illnesses are not always easy to treat and recognise because they comprise a wide range of problems with different symptoms and severity. Some of the common conditions are schizophrenia, dementia, depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder and post traumatic stress disorder. Most of these can be successfully treated with a combination of therapy, coping skills and medication under the supervision of a trained medical professional who understands the result of the interplay between biological, environmental, social and psychological factors.

When individuals experience one of more of the following symptoms, seeking help is a sign of strength and not weakness as it can indicate that an intervention is needed: a loss of energy, a change in appetite, change in sleeping patterns, anxiety, reduced concentration, indecisiveness; restlessness; feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or hopelessness; and thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

There are a number of things one can do daily to try and minimize the impact of the debilitating effects of mental illness on your life. These include treating yourself with kindness, respect and avoiding self-criticism while getting enough sleep and avoiding alcohol, cigarettes and recreational drugs. Surrounding yourself with good people, meditating or practising mindfulness and setting realistic goals so as to enjoy the feeling of accomplishment as you progress; and learning a new skill keeps your mind fresh and improves the overall quality of your life.

People who get appropriate care can recover from mental illness and addiction and lead full, rewarding lives.

The South African depression and Anxiety group (SADAG) are at the forefront of patient advocacy and education and they can be contacted on 011 234 4837.