Can We Prevent Mental Health Issues?
Is prevention of mental health issues better than cure? I am no stranger to mental health issues. After the birth of my second child I suffered post natal depression and it took some time before I felt like myself again. While I was pregnant with my third child I became very anxious that history would repeat itself so I decided to take action. I undertook my own little research project by trying to discover if I could build up my mental health resilience. I put my discoveries into practice and although I will never know if I would have become ill again, I can definitely say that by consciously taking care of myself, I am enjoying life and all my children so much more than I could have imagined.
Mental health conditions are not just for “crazy” people. In the UK 1 in 4 people will experience an illness, according to WHO 1 million people commit suicide globally each year and research shows that in 2012 50 million prescriptions were made for antidepressants. These figures are far too high by anyone’s standards. It’s worth remembering that these figures reflect only those who have been diagnosed, far too many more suffer in silence.
Mental health issues must be taken seriously.
In my opinion, mental health issues are no different to any other health issue, it’s simply part of your body that’s not working properly. If we look at the medical advice for another big killer like cancer we are bombarded with information on how to prevent it, this got me thinking; can we prevent mental illness in the same way and if so should there be a national – or even international – campaign empowering people to do just that?
I have decided to explore 5 of the main pieces of cancer prevention advice and see if and how the information could be applied or altered slightly to support mental illness prevention.
Cancer Prevention Tip 1: Eat a Healthy Diet
How this can be applied to mental illness prevention: Food is a big mood stabiliser (or destabiliser). Too much sugar can cause our blood sugars to peek and then subsequently drop. For those with mental health issues, food can be a massive trigger or a helpful aid. Our goal should be to maintain our blood sugars at a steady level. We can do this by eating regular small portions and prioritising breakfast.
We are constantly reminded that we need to eat a varied diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables as well as drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Particular foods that build our mind resilience include mushrooms, bananas, and tomatoes as these have high levels of potassium that are good for the whole nervous system. Never has it been so true to say ‘You are what you eat’.
Cancer Prevention Tip 2: Exercise
How this can be applied to mental illness prevention: It’s not just our body that benefits from increased activity, our brains do to. When our heart rate rises we release endorphins, the happy hormone. The positive impact of movement is so significant that those already diagnosed with depression can be prescribed exercise through an NHS referral scheme. If it works so well to improve the lives of those who are suffering then surely it can be beneficial to everyone as a preventative measure.
Cancer Prevention Tip 3: Reduce Alcohol Intake
How this can be applied to mental illness prevention; Many people crave a drink to alter their mood, I’ve certainly had a bad day in the past and longed for a glass of wine. We all seem to think that alcohol relaxes us, it may reduce our inhibitions, but the truth is alcohol is a depressant and it physically alters the brain chemistry. Heavy drinkers are twice as likely to have mental health problems as those who don’t drink, proving that it is no easy way to forget your troubles; they are always still there when you sober up, alongside a hangover…
Cancer Prevention Tip 4: Sleep Well
How this can be applied to mental illness prevention: There have been many studies linking stress and lack of sleep to the development of cancer and the same can be said for mental health issues. Allowing your mind to rest is one of the most important things you can do to protect it. You only need to feel the negative impact of one bad night’s sleep to understand what the long term consequences of insomnia could be. Most People who suffer with mental health problems report to having less than 6 hours sleep a night. Meditation is another great way to allow the brain a break. We spend all day thinking, even 5 minutes a day just sitting in a quiet space free from distractions can put your mind into rest mode. A rested brain is more resilient and able to deal with the stresses of life that we put it though.
Cancer Prevention Tip 5: Get to Know your Own Normal
How this can be applied to mental illness prevention: All of the major cancer prevention campaigns tell you to check yourself regularly. For example in the case of breast cancer women should know what feels normal to them so they recognise early when there is a change. The same can be said when preventing mental health conditions developing. We all have individual stress points, things that trigger anxiety or depression to a lesser degree. Understanding our own mind means that we can recognise the early signs of mental illness and get help early.
The medical profession know that by taking these steps we can prevent some mental illnesses from developing and certainly help those who have suffered from experiencing a relapse.
So if this is the case, why have we not seen a major health campaign on the subject? I believe that it’s because we are still in the process of breaking down the stigma.
Your mind is your identity; to admit you have a problem is like saying there is something wrong with you as an individual. Somehow discussing cancer doesn’t quite have the same impact. Change is happening in the wind though and I can feel it. Various campaigns with celebrities such as The Duchess of Cambridge and Stephen Fry are getting the public talking which is amazing, but there is still a long way to go.
I wonder if we are focusing in the wrong direction. Instead of focusing solely on highlighting the number of people who have mental health issues, why not draw more attention to offering preventative measures so we can reduce the number of those who may suffer in the future. Prevention is better than cure, right?
I look forward to a campaign that empowers people with solutions and not just an examination of the problem.
(Note from The Editor: Many thanks to Lisa for opening up about her personal struggles and experiences with mental illness. Lisa is a mother, wife, writer and coach and founder of The Contented Family You can read more of her work on her blog :thecontentedfamily.co.uk or follow her on twitter : @contented82. Or find out more about her on her author page here.)
