We have discussed mental illness of men, women, and children and its causes, types, symptoms, treatments, conditions, and resources on the occasion of World Mental Health Day 10th October 2022

2. MENTAL ILLNESS OF MEN, WOMEN,
CHILDREN AND ITS CAUSES, TYPES,
SYMPTOMS, TREATMENTS: CONDITIONS
AND RESOURCES

3.  Condition of a person’s body or mind.
 The state of being well and free from
illness.
 The word health refers to a state of
complete emotional and physical well
being and not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity.

4.  WHO further clarified that:
“ a resource of everyday life, not the
objective of living. Health is a
positive concept emphasizing social
and personal resources, as well as
physical capacities.”

5. This means that health is a resource to
support an individual’s function in wider
society, rather than an end in itself. A
healthful lifestyle provides the means to
lead a full life with meaning and purpose.

6. 1. Mental and
2. physical health

7. A person who has good physical health is likely to
have bodily functions and processes working at
their peak.

8. Mental health refers to a person’s emotional, social,
and psychological well-being. Mental health is as
important as physical health as part of a full,
active lifestyle.
It is harder to define mental health than
physical health because many
psychological diagnoses depend on an
individual’s perception of their
experience.

9. Good mental health is not only categorized
by the absence of depression, anxiety, or
another disorder. It also depends on a
person’s ability to:
 enjoy life
 bounce back after difficult experiences
and adapt to adversity
 balance different elements of life, such
as family and finances
 feel safe and secure
 achieve their full potential
Physical and mental health have strong connections.

10. Mental Illness

11. Mental illnesses are health conditions
involving changes in emotion,
thinking or behavior (or a
combination of these). Mental
illnesses are associated with
distress and/or problems
functioning in social, work or family
activities.

12. Mental Health...involves effective functioning in daily
activities resulting in:
 Productive activities (work, school, caregiving).
 Healthy relationships.
 Ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity.
Mental Illness...refers collectively to all diagnosable
mental disorders — health conditions involving:
 Significant changes in thinking, emotion and/or
behavior.
 Distress and/or problems functioning in social, work
or family activities.

13. Mental illness does not discriminate; it can
affect anyone regardless of your age,
gender, geography, income, social status,
race/ethnicity, religion/spirituality, sexual
orientation, background or other aspect
of cultural identity. While mental illness
can occur at any age, three-fourths of all
mental illness begins by age 24.

14. Mental illnesses take many forms. Some are
mild and only interfere in limited ways
with daily life, such as certain phobias
(abnormal fears).
Other mental health conditions are so
severe that a person may need care in a
hospital.

15. Diagnosis
of
Mental Illness

16.  Mental health conditions are treatable and
improvement is possible.
 Many people with mental health conditions
return to full functioning.
 Some mental illness is preventable.

17.  It is not always clear when a problem with
mood or thinking has become serious enough
to be a mental health concern.
 Sometimes, for example, a depressed mood is
normal, such as when a person experiences
the loss of a loved one. But if that depressed
mood continues to cause distress or gets in
the way of normal functioning, the person may
benefit from professional care.
 Family or friends may recognize changes or
problems that a person doesn’t see in
themselves.

18.  Some mental illnesses can be related to
or mimic a medical condition. For
example, depressive symptoms can
relate to a thyroid condition. Therefore a
mental health diagnosis typically
involves a full evaluation including a
physical exam.
 This may include blood work and/or
neurological tests.

19.  People of diverse cultures and backgrounds may
express mental health conditions differently. For
example, some are more likely to come to a health
care professional with complaints of physical
symptoms that are caused by a mental health
condition.
 Some cultures view and describe mental health
conditions in different ways.
Stigma around mental illness and treatment prevents
many people from seeking needed treatment.

20. Mental illness in
men

21. Men’s issues can develop from different causes and
triggers than those that affect women.
For example, men’s issues often stem from societal
expectations and traditional gender roles, which
may lead men to think that they must:
 be the breadwinners in the family
 display traditional “masculine” traits, such as
strength and control
 rely on oneself and not seek help from others
 not speak openly about their emotions

22.  Men’s issues can develop from different
causes and triggers than those that affect
women.
 Mental health issues affect men and
women differently.

23. The signs and symptomsTrusted Source of a mental health condition will depend on
the type, but there are some symptoms that people can look out for. These include:
 aggressiveness, anger, and irritability
 changes in mood or energy levels
 changes in appetite or sleeping habits
 difficulty focusing
 feeling restless or “on edge”
 a high consumption of alcohol
 inappropriate use of drugs
 participating in risky activities
 feeling sad, hopeless, numb, or emotionally “flat”
 having aches, pains, or other physical symptoms without a clear cause
 obsessive or compulsive thoughts or behaviors
 thinking or acting in a way that causes concern to others or has a negative impact
on work, social, or family life
 thinking about or attempting suicide
If a person notices these symptoms in themselves or if a loved one spots them, it is a
good idea to seek medical help.

24. Several factors increase the risk of mental health conditions and suicide
among men. The following groups may be more at risk than others:
 Older men: Men aged 85 years and older are most at risk of suicide.
More men in this demographic die by suicide every year than in any
other group by age, sex, or race.
 Men who have experienced trauma: Traumatic events, such as
engaging in combat or being the victim of an assault, increase the risk
of experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
 Men experiencing employment issues: Working in poor conditions
or having a high workload can increase the risk of mental health
issues. Unemployment and retirement also increase the riskTrusted
Source of depression and suicide.
 Men who have had a marital breakdown: Depression is more
common, and more severe, among men who are divorced. One
studyTrusted Source suggests that being single is a significant suicide
trigger among men.

25.  Men with legal or financial concerns: Having legal or financial
worries can trigger the development of mental health problems
and increase the risk of suicide.
 Men who misuse alcohol or drugs: Men are more
likelyTrusted Source to engage in illicit drug use and alcohol
use, which can trigger or exacerbate mental health conditions.
 Men with a family history of mental health issues: Many
psychiatric conditions — including bipolar disorder, depression,
and schizophrenia — run in familiesTrusted Source, suggesting
a genetic component.
 Men dealing with other life challenges: Other risk
factorsTrusted Source for mental health problems and suicide
include physical illness or discomfort, conflict with family or
friends, and the illness or death of a family member.

26. Some of the most prevalent mental health
conditions among men are:
1. Depression
2. Anxiety disorders
3. Schizophrenia
4. PTSD
5. Substance abuse

27. Mental illness
in
women

28. Women face risk factors for mental illness, including that they
are:
 More likely to be the main caregiver for their
children: When compared to men, women are more likely
to be the main caregiver for children, which can affect
emotional and mental health.
 Over represented in low-income, low-status
jobs: Women are more likely to live in poverty than men,
leading to reduced access to mental and physical health
care.
 More likely to experience physical or sexual
abuse: Abuse can have long-term impacts on mental
health, especially when no support is given for past
experiences.

29. Women and men can develop most of the same mental disorders and conditions,
but may experience different symptoms. Some symptoms include:
 Persistent sadness or feelings of hopelessness
 Misuse of alcohol and/or drugs
 Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits
 Appetite and/or weight changes
 Decreased energy or fatigue
 Excessive fear or worry
 Seeing or hearing things that are not there
 Extremely high and low moods
 Aches, headaches, or digestive problems without a clear cause
 Irritability
 Social withdrawal
 Suicidal thoughts

30. Mental illness
in
CHILDREN

31. It can be difficult to understand mental
health disorders in children because
normal childhood development is a
process that involves change.
Additionally, the symptoms of a disorder
may differ depending on a child's age,
and children may not be able to explain
how they feel or why they are behaving a
certain way

32. Mental health disorders in children may include the following:
 Anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders in children are persistent
fears, worries or anxiety that disrupt their ability to participate in
play, school or typical age-appropriate social situations.
Diagnoses include social anxiety, generalized anxiety and
obsessive-compulsive disorders.
 Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Compared
with most children of the same age, children with ADHD have
difficulty with attention, impulsive behaviors, hyperactivity or
some combination of these problems.
 Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autism spectrum disorder is
a neurological condition that appears in early childhood —
usually before age 3. Although the severity of ASD varies, a
child with this disorder has difficulty communicating and
interacting with others.

33.  Eating disorders. Eating disorders are defined as a preoccupation with an
ideal body type, disordered thinking about weight and weight loss, and unsafe
eating and dieting habits. Eating disorders — such as anorexia nervosa,
bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder — can result in emotional and social
dysfunction and life-threatening physical complications.
 Depression and other mood disorders. Depression is persistent feelings of
sadness and loss of interest that disrupt a child's ability to function in school
and interact with others. Bipolar disorder results in extreme mood swings
between depression and extreme emotional or behavioral highs that may be
unguarded, risky or unsafe.
 Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is prolonged emotional
distress, anxiety, distressing memories, nightmares and disruptive behaviors in
response to violence, abuse, injury or other traumatic events.
 Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a disorder in perceptions and thoughts that
cause a person to lose touch with reality (psychosis). Most often appearing in
the late teens through the 20s, schizophrenia results in hallucinations,
delusions, and disordered thinking and behaviors.

34. Warning signs that your child may have a mental health disorder include:
 Persistent sadness that lasts two weeks or more
 Withdrawing from or avoiding social interactions
 Hurting oneself or talking about hurting oneself
 Talking about death or suicide
 Outbursts or extreme irritability
 Out-of-control behavior that can be harmful
 Drastic changes in mood, behavior or personality
 Changes in eating habits
 Loss of weight
 Difficulty sleeping
 Frequent headaches or stomachaches
 Difficulty concentrating
 Changes in academic performance
 Avoiding or missing school

35. Treatment
of
Mental Illness

36. The diagnosis of a mental disorder is not
the same as a need for treatment.
Need for treatment takes into
consideration:
 how severe the symptoms are,
 how much symptoms cause distress
and affect daily living,
 the risks and benefits of available
treatments and
 other factors (for example, psychiatric
symptoms complicating other illness).

37. Mental health treatment is based upon an
individualized plan developed collaboratively
with a mental health clinician and an individual
(and family members if the individual desires).
It may include psychotherapy (talk therapy),
medication or other treatments.
Often a combination of therapy and medication is
most effective. Complementary and alternative
therapies are also increasingly being used.

38.  Self-help and support can be very important to
an individual’s coping, recovery and wellbeing.
 Lifestyle changes, such as good nutrition,
exercise, and adequate sleep can support
mental health and recovery.
 A comprehensive treatment plan may include
individual actions (for example, lifestyle
changes, support groups or exercise) that
enhance recovery and well-being.

39.  Primary care clinicians, psychiatrists and
other mental health clinicians help
individuals and families understand mental
illnesses and what they can do to control or
cope with symptoms in order to improve
health, wellness and function.

40.  Psychotherapy
Therapy can help people work through issues that
have triggered mental health conditions. It can
also help individuals manage their symptoms,
change their negative thoughts and unhelpful
behaviors, and learn new coping skills.
There are many different styles of therapy. In
order for it to be effective, it is essential that
people find the right therapist and type of
therapy for them.

41.  Medication
A doctor may prescribe medication to treat various
mental health conditions or symptoms associated
with those illnesses.
For example, they may prescribe:
 antidepressants
 antianxiety medications
 antipsychotic drugs
 sleep aids
Typically, doctors will recommend that people use
medications in combination with psychotherapy.

42.  Lifestyle changes
Making positive lifestyle changes can make a
significant contribution to mental well-being.
For example, it is important to:
 Eat a balanced diet.
 Get enough sleep.
 Exercise on most days.
 Manage stress through meditation or yoga,
or in other ways.
 Limit or avoid the use of alcohol and drugs.

43.  Peer support
Attending a support group or group
counseling can be very helpful for those
with a mental health condition.

44. There is no sure way to prevent mental health conditions.
However, the following steps may reduce the risk of
developing one:
 Communicate with family and friends, especially during
stressful periods.
 Seek treatment promptly if any symptoms of poor mental
health develop.
 Continue with maintenance treatment to prevent relapses
of depression or other mental health conditions.
 Learn to manage stress through meditation, mindfulness,
creative outlets, or other methods.
 Practice positive lifestyle choices, such as eating well,
sleeping enough, and exercising.
 See a therapist for issues such as low self-esteem or
childhood trauma, which could trigger mental health
problems later in life.