Why Your Mental Health Is Important

In May, the Prime Minister released a statement in honor of Mental Health Week saying, “Mental health affects all of us. Yet too often, this important part of our wellbeing is dismissed or stigmatized, leaving people to suffer in silence. By being open and talking about mental health with others, we can break down the stigma and make sure everyone gets the support they need.” He’s right. When we break a leg or have the flu, we automatically seek medical attention, but when it comes to our mental health, we pretend nothing is wrong. It’s time to start acknowledging and taking care of our mental health with the same level of honesty and concern we give our physical well-being.

According to The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), 1 in 5 Canadians experiences a mental illness or addiction each year. And by age 40, half have – or have had – a mental illness. Considering those statistics, it is essential that we begin treating our mental health as part of our overall well-being, and here’s why.

It Affects Our Physical Health
The connection between our minds and bodies is strong. Physical pain can limit your ability to do the things that you enjoy, which can cause stress and lead to depression and anxiety. And just as physical problems can lead to mental health issues, mental illnesses can trigger physical health concerns, too. When someone experiences mental illness, it can cause sleep disturbances. It can also lower the motivation to eat healthily and exercise, and it can impair the body’s ability to fight infection and disease. If the mental health issue is address, physical health concerns often improve. A study done in 2003 demonstrated that treating arthritis patients for depression, reduced patients’ pain, and improved their overall well-being.

It Affects Financial Stability and Work Productivity
Mental illness can affect your earning potential. According to the American Journal of Psychiatry, “people suffering from a serious mental illness earned at least 40 percent less than people in good mental health.” The World Health Organization estimates that 200 million workdays are lost a per year due to depression. People who suffer from anxiety and depression are more miss work. At least 500,000 Canadian employees call in sick each week due to mental illness according to a Conference Board of Canada report. And that’s if they’re able to work at all. One-third of workplace disability claims are related to mental illness, according to the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

It Affects Your Relationships
Mental illness doesn’t merely affect the individual with the illness; it affects those around them, too. Family relationships can become strained. People frequently report that caring for a mentally ill family member has caused financial problems and has contributed to their own mental health issues.

These are just a few of the reasons why we need to start taking care of our mental health as well as our physical well-being. Better mental health leads to a longer, happier life. It begins with acknowledging that we all have mental health, ending the stigma associated with mental illness, and seeking treatment when problems arise.

Article originally published on JohnKinahan.com