Mental illness is a condition that impacts how you believe, feel, behave, or connect to other individuals or your environment. It’s very prevalent. Many individuals had one or know somebody who’s got one. Some mental illnesses and mental health problems are social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, drug addiction, and personality disorders.

Many variables lead to mental health issues, including: biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry and life experiences, such as trauma and abuse. Are you unsure if someone is living with mental health problems? Whether someone is developing a mental health problem cannot be reliably told; however, experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign of a problem:

1. Mood swings

2. Having low or no energy

3. Sleep problems (too much or too little)

4. Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual

5. Keeping problems to themselves

6. Inability to perform daily tasks

7. Thinking of harming their self or others

This 2019, World Mental Health Day focuses on suicide prevention with an objective to raise awareness on the scale of suicide around the world and the role that each of us can play to help prevent it. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every 40 seconds, someone dies of suicide. The WHO states that close to 800 000, people dies by suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds.

Most suicidal people give their intentions with warning signs or signals. Recognizing these warning signs is the best way to avoid suicide if you think a friend or family member is suicidal. You can play a part in preventing suicide by pointing out the options, demonstrating you care, and involving a doctor or psychologist.

Mental health problems are common and help is available. People with mental health problems can get better.

For anyone with public with mental health concerns, you may contact the NCMH Crisis Hotline at 09178998727.