One of the primary factors of any disease is symptoms and diagnosis. I believe every human at least has a right to know what is happening to them to come to a conclusion or level of Acceptance. And this is where the requirement of Mental health literacy comes into the scene.

           In today’s topic, I am going to throw some light on what What is Mental health literacy and why is it important, also a few ways that we can inculcate it in our social lives collectively for the betterment of future generations.

    So, What is Mental Health literacy?

The term “Mental Health literacy” was introduced by. Jorm et al.He Defines it as “Knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders which aid their recognition, management or prevention”. 

Mental health literacy consists of several components:

 (a) The person’s ability to recognize specific disorders or psychiatric terms as a lack of knowledge can result in issues with communicating with professionals 

 (b)This talks about knowledge and beliefs about people that involves wrong beliefs and myths created by people based on the circumstances which could delay the treatment of the victims and threaten their mental health.

(c) This component addresses knowledge and beliefs about self-help interventions that involve how rightly can one helps someone with self-help inventions to deal with the situation. There is a need for the right advice regarding the same.

(d)This addresses the knowledge and beliefs about Professional Help available in society. Many people have wrong information and beliefs about medication intervention and its side effects, which can be a hindrance in a crisis.

 (e)This relates to the Attitudes that facilitate recognition and appropriate help-seeking For e.g the stigma attached in society which refrains one from one to seek help at the right time.

  (f) The lack of correct sources of knowledge and improper influence of Media, demands the need to seek the proper information about mental health issues. As this could result in the overestimation of the hazard involved. Further adding to the hindrance and delay in the right treatment and help-seeking initiative.
 
   Mental health literacy still needs to be more valued and prioritized than other Awareness topics. There is an intense need to normalize individual and peer experiences by educating them on Mental health literacy.

 According to the (WHO)World health organization, more than half of lifetime cases of mental health begin at the age of 14.

Why is Mental health literacy important?

• Mental illness has no physical symptoms, hence it’s extremely difficult for the peers around them to understand the symptoms and nature of the disease. If the peers are unaware, how do you expect younger teens to understand what they are going through? Don’t they deserve to know what they are going through is not their fault and is treatable.

• The person experiencing it may or may not sometimes come to conclusion even if they are slightly aware of their situation, here the surrounding peers play an important role by identifying the symptoms and treating them at the right time. And for them to come to any subtle conclusion they should be aware of various mental disorders and their basic nature of manifestation 

• Due to a lack of awareness, a lot of people suffering from mental illness go through a series of self-blame and a surge of guilt for their feelings and behavior. They think they are insane and underserved people on earth burdens to others. These feelings further take them down the rabbit hole of Depression.
•  Any difficult life situation needs a gradual level of ‘Acceptance’ for it to start healing on its own. With mental illness, it is difficult for anyone to reach the level of acceptance early as it affects their self-esteem, self-respect, and identity in the world. And unawareness of the illness extends this process further for the victim and the peers. Mass awareness of mental health literacy with help victims come to terms with acceptance easily.
• Another issue coming in the way is a societal stigma of mental illness which reduces the chances for a victim to open up if the surrounding doesn’t share an open mindset even to know what the person is going through.
• Untreated mental illness may lead to adverse side effects on physical health resulting in diabetes, heart disease also reduced life expectancy due to suicide. One of the major reasons for suicide is not just mental illness but the inability of the victim to make others understand what he or she is going through thus giving up.

   How can Mental health literacy be improved?

    There are various ways through which mental health literacy can be amplified among various sub-groups in society but availing the right source of knowledge and quality information from the experts should not be compromised.

• One of the best parts of today’s times is that everything is digitized and digital platforms are the primary source of awareness which can amplify any initiative started on mental health literacy
• Schools and colleges should  conduct  and encourage mental well-being programs along with mental health literacy.
• Big industries and companies should conduct awareness campaigns within their environment regularly. Workplace mental health literacy can enhance transparency within the employees.
•  Open online sessions and discussions should be conducted regularly by various social organizations and NGOs 
•  Easily accessible counseling or life coaching should be available offline and online 
•  And the most crucial step is to support your loved ones at the right time. Literacy starts at home, if you allow that freedom of communication as a liberal generation same will be passed on to other generations.
• Discuss mental well-being within the community openly without passing judgment on others and their Character.                                                                                                   
• Mental health issues are on the rise due to current social pressures and the stressful lifestyles that we are living where we as humans don’t know the right ways of regulating our emotions regularly just as we cleanse our bodies. By learning various techniques can help people deal with their emotion better .

It is paramount that the youngsters identify signs of psychological distress and seek help urgently. Effective Mental health literacy will result in early intervention and fast recovery. 

     The more awareness we spread of Mental health literacy more people will start addressing mental health issues by seeking help at the right time. This will also improve a sense of empathy among the peers for their loved ones, friends, and extended family members.

     We experience our world through the mind and since the health of your mind is determined by sound Holistic mental well-being we need to Conciously pay attention to all areas of life equally to maintain Mental harmony within us to help others.