Thien, what exactly is meant by mental health?
Mental health is more than just the absence of mental illness. In a nutshell, it is the state of mental well-being. It enables us to cope with everyday life and to contribute our skills to the community. In other words, mental health relates to our quality of life. We should not see body and mind as separate; they belong together: If I don’t feel well physically, it affects my mind and vice versa. I know from experience that therapies can help. The earlier someone receives professional help, the sooner they can recover.
Do you think mental health issues are still a taboo topic?
I have experienced that people are often afraid or too shy to talk about mental health issues. Many people don’t give much thought to their own psyche and don’t know where to turn to for support. People often wait too long before seeking help, and then it usually takes quite a while before they actually get to a clinic. Many people think it’s not that bad, or assume that it’s just a phase that will pass. But often, the condition deteriorates to the point where nothing works at all anymore. Much better to realise earlier on how you are feeling and to also be aware when someone around you needs help.
Everyone presumably has good phases in life and ones that are not so good. What warning signs should we look out for to address mental issues early on?
Maybe I’m finding something more difficult or my mood has changed; I’m not as grounded as usual. Or I’ve stopped socialising because it’s too much effort. Perhaps I have a feeling of tightness, sleep poorly, am tense or have lost my appetite. Often, it’s physical things that give the game away. If I feel drained of energy, drag myself from appointment to appointment and have no more positive thoughts – all these can be signs. Everyone has different pain thresholds, but if the suffering is severe, it is important to be able to communicate this fact. If we break an arm, we don’t think twice about going to the doctor; it should be just as natural to seek help if we are feeling mentally unwell.
“I want everyone to have this feeling: I can be who I am and you can be who you are.”
Exercise, a healthy diet and enough sleep are good for body and mind. What can we do for our mental health in everyday life?
Change always begins with little steps. First of all, I should ask myself: How am I doing? What makes me feel good and what can I do to maintain this sense of well-being? My husband often realises before me that I’m reaching my limit and should take a break. (laughs) Of course, I don’t want to hear that just when I’m stressed, but he’s absolutely right: That’s exactly the time to take a deep breath and go for a stroll round the block. Another tip: I massage my ears every morning. They contain reflex zones of the whole body, which I activate through the massage. And you can also consciously focus on positive things. We often get two things out of a hundred wrong, and those are the ones that keep us awake at night. Why is that? Why not praise ourselves more for all the things we have achieved. We should celebrate ourselves more!
What can be done to improve our society’s health?
Some countries, such as Denmark, introduced first aid as a school subject as early as 2005, and this has led to a higher rate of resuscitation by non-professionals. We should take physical and mental health much more seriously and teach our children about it: If I feel that something is not right and I can talk about it openly, then I can get help. The sooner this becomes second nature to us as we grow up, the sooner it will cease to be an issue. We will always have to deal with some kind of stress, but if we learn to deal with it effectively, we reduce the risk of mental illness. If we are mindful of ourselves and feel into ourselves, then we are also better able to communicate and treat others openly and with appreciation. I want everyone to have this feeling: I can be who I am and you can be who you are.
Mental health facts
- More than half of all mental illnesses develop before the age of 19. They can significantly impair physical and mental development.
- People with mental illness usually suffer from multiple mental disorders.
- In Germany, 27.8 percent of the adult population is affected by a mental illness every year; that’s around 17.8 million people.
- Only 18.9 percent of those affected seek treatment.
- The most common mental illnesses in Germany include anxiety disorders, affective disorders (e.g. depression) and disorders caused by alcohol or drug abuse.
Text: Maria Zimmerer
