Topic 1 Defining Mental Health
“Our vision is a world where mental health is valued, promoted and protected; where mental health conditions are prevented; where anyone can exercise their human rights and access affordable, quality mental health care; and where everyone can participate fully in society free from stigma and discrimination.” WHO, 2022
The aim of this module is to give you an overall awareness of the most common mental health illnesses that can affect youth at home and in an education setting.
It will also provide information on how the Covid-19 pandemic impacted on youth mental health.
It’s important to remember during this learning process, that mental health conditions are commonplace that must not be stigmatised. Your awareness of mental health illnesses symptoms and causes, means that you as a parent and/or educator can contribute to the quality of life of young people.
Educators play a vital role for professionals to make a formal diagnosis of a mental health illness given their continuous engagement and involvement in their student’s life from early childhood to teenage and as adults in third level education.
As such, their role is complementary to the parents and can support the parents and child in the management of a mental health illness.
Mental health problems/ conditions are defined as:
“mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities as well as other mental states associated with significant distress, impairment in functioning, or risk of self-harm. People with mental health conditions are more likely to experience lower levels of mental well-being, but this is not always or necessarily the case.” WHO 2022
It’s important to note that people can still function with a mental health illness if they are supported, diagnosed or are on medication. However, this depends on the person acknowledging there is an issue, whether they become aware of symptoms themselves or if they are observed by others.
Mental health does not simply mean the absence of a mental illness – it is possible to have good mental wellbeing whilst living with a diagnosed mental illness. In contrast, someone who has no diagnosable mental illness can still have a low level of mental wellbeing.
A person’s state of mind or mental health, directly influences and impacts thoughts and behaviours in every aspect of life: relationships, professional/work, education, daily living, money, self-esteem, communication – essentially how we live our lives. Everyone’s mental health is different to others as we don’t all react in the same way nor are results the same.
When people think of the term mental health, it is mainly in a negative sense, when in fact it relates to the health of a part of our body that requires care and attention just like the rest of the body.
The term mental health issues, covers a very broad range of mental health problems which impacts thoughts, emotions, behaviours and relationships with others, resulting in how we react to and deal with stress, relationships with others and the choices we make, whether positive or negative.
Early Warning signs of a mental health problem
- Losing interest in activities that were previously enjoyed with family and/or friends
- Underperforming at school with no apparent explanation
- Increased anxiety levels, feeling exhausted and restless
- Isolating themselves and not wanting to socialise
- Changes in appetite such as skipping meals or overeating/ bingeing
- Changes in perception such as hearing or seeing things that others don’t
- Self-harming behaviour signs of cuts or bruising to common areas of the body
- Reduced or increased sex drive/promiscuity
- Increased absenteeism from school
- Not doing homework, loss of interest in participating in class
- Changes in behaviour e.g. being disruptive or aggressive towards parents and teachers