The Covid-19 pandemic has increased the difficulties in dealing with health issues. No nation, however rich or developed, has escaped its impact. This will continue to affect people, of all ages, in many ways: through infection and illness, death bringing sadness to surviving family members; through the economic impact, with job losses and job insecurity; and physical distancing leading to social isolation. Going into the next year, the sensitivity and lessons are important. The 2021 World Mental Health Day campaign provided an opportunity for us to act together to highlight how inequality can be addressed to ensure people are able to enjoy good mental health. Up to 95 percent of people with mental health issues in low- and middle-income countries are unable to get mental health services at all. There is a deficiency in the quality of care provided to people with a mental health problem.

The negative effects experienced by patients with mental health issues do not only affect a person’s physical and mental health, but also their educational opportunities, current and future earning and job. They also affect their families and loved ones. This inequality needs to be addressed and should not be allowed to continue. We all have a role to play to address these issues.

People with physical illness often experience psychological problems and mental health difficulties. For example, more than 2.2 billion people have visual impairment worldwide. A majority experience anxiety, depression and adverse social and economic circumstances.

Mental health is defined by WHO as “a state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”. In simple words, mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. It covers how we think, feel, act, handle stress, relate to others, and make our choices. Impairment of any of these functions is a risk factor for mental disorders. Mental disorders are defined as the health conditions that affect these functions, cognitive impairment (person has trouble remembering, learning new things, concentrating or making decisions that affect their everyday life), emotional responses, and behaviour associated with distress and impaired functioning.

Mental health is associated with a number of lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, stress, drug abuse, social connections and interactions. Therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, or family physicians can help manage mental illness with treatments such as therapy, counselling or medication.

Exact cause of most mental disorders is not known, but research suggests that a combination of factors, including heredity, biology, psychological trauma and environmental stress might be involved. People who have a family history of mental health disorders are at greater risk. Changes in brain chemistry from substance abuse or changes in diet can also cause mental disorders. Psychological factors and environmental factors such as upbringing and social exposure can form the foundations for harmful thought patterns associated with mental disorders.

Mental health is associated with a number of lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, stress, drug abuse, social connections and interactions. Therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, or family physicians can help manage mental illness with treatments such as therapy, counselling or medication. Mental fitness is a mental health movement that encourages people to intentionally regulate and maintain their emotional wellbeing through friendship, regular human contact and activities that include meditation, calming exercises, aerobic exercise, mindfulness, having a routine and maintaining adequate sleep. This can help build resilience against every-day mental health challenges to prevent an escalation of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideations, and help them cope with the escalation of those feelings if they occur.

Most mental illnesses cannot be cured but they can usually be treated effectively to minimise the symptoms and allow the individual to function in work, school, or social environments. Poor mental health can affect your ability to make healthy decisions and fight off chronic disease. Neglecting your mental health can lead to more serious health complications. In the short-term, mental health problems can cause people to be isolated becauseof perceived unattractive personality traits or behaviours. They can also cause anger, fear, sadness and feelings of helplessness if the person does not know or understand what is happening. In the long-term, mental health disorders can even drive a person to suicide. Mental illnesses are more common than cancer, diabetes or heart disease. About 450 million people worldwide have some mental illness. It is predicted that by 2029, mental illness will become the leading cause of disease worldwide. Women are more likely to have a mental illness than men. One million people commit suicide every year and 10 to 20 million attempt it. According to WHO nearly half of the world’s population is affected by mental illness. An individual’s emotional health can impact their physical health. Poor mental health can lead to problems such as the inability to make adequate decisions. Therefore, there is an urgent need to address mental health in a holistic sense through policy-making.

The writer has served as a psychologist at Fountain House, Lahore