Mark O’Gray, in the session “Shining a light on Mental Health,” helped us unwrap what mental health is and deep dived into what depression is and how to handle it.
Like most things in life, mental health too exists on a spectrum. On one end, we have positive mental health and on the other, mental illness. You have a positive mental health when you are in control of your emotions, you have good cognitive function and you are coping with the ebbs and flow of everyday life. The sooner we can spot the early warning signs of those who are finding it difficult to cope, the sooner we can get the required help and the sooner they can recover.
Language and stigma
Due to internalized stigma, we often hear people talking about mental health in a negative way. We need to be aware of the language we use when we talk about mental health, such as “shame” and “stigma,” and understand the impact it could have on people, leading them to shy away from seeking help. Hence, it is paramount that we create and foster a culture of care.
Depression
The National Institute of Healthcare and Excellence (NICE) defines depression as “a loss of interest and enjoyment in ordinary things and experiences … A low mood and a range of associated emotional, cognitive, physical and behavioral symptoms.” What differentiates depression from a general low mood is the longevity of the low mood and the impact it has on your day-to-day life. The three core symptoms we associate with depression are low mood, low energy and motivation, and lack of desire or joy.
Signs to look out for
How they feel: Hopeless, emotionless, angry, sad, guilty, helpless, anxious, mood swings.
How they think: Indecisive, self-doubt, impaired memory, pessimism, blame, loss of judgement and concentration, criticism, confusion.
How they tend to behave: Self-neglect, neglect of responsibilities, pessimism, crying, loss of motivation, withdrawal.
Physical effects: Change in sleep patterns, irregular menstrual cycles, loss of libido, aches and pains, loss of energy, change in appearance, change in eating habits, change in weight.
What we tend to see at work: Uncertainty, fatigue, absenteeism, substance abuse, drop of morale or productivity, engagement and cooperation.
Risks and protective factors
Individual risk factors: Abuse, stress, trauma, prison, alcohol, drugs, smoking, illness, disability, genetics, poor parenting and lack of support.
Societal risk factors: Unemployment, poverty, poor education, inequality, stigma, discrimination, poor housing, community violence.
Protective factors
Life skills: Positive parenting, self-belief, emotional literacy, communication, effective conflict resolution, problem-solving skills, confidence.
Community or health: Rest and sleep, physical activity, nutrition, social network, stable housing and environment, tolerant community, meaningful activity.