The document discusses mental health and factors that contribute to poor mental health, including substance abuse, fears, envy, egotism, anguish, greed, social media, poor nutrition, and poor sleep. It also outlines the progression of disorders from mild psychological symptoms to full manifestation of diseases. Yoga is presented as an intervention for mental well-being by promoting hormonal balance, better sleep, immunity, reduced anxiety, and self-acceptance. Sage Patanjali's four attitudes of friendliness, compassion, delight, and equanimity are recommended for cultivating mental peace.

1. For those who have conquered the mind, it is their friend. For
those who have failed to do so, the mind works like an enemy.
10th October is celebrated as World Mental Health Day to spread
awareness and do away with the stigma attached to the subject.
The theme for 2022 is “Make mental health & well-being for all a
global priority”.
Almost across the globe, talking about mental health continues to
be a stigma and the crisis increased with the pandemic lingering
over the past couple of years.
With the ever-increasing factors contributing to the deterioration
of mental health globally, it is time that overall mental well-being
is taken care of by decoding mental health care in simpler and
accessible forms.
Going back to the Vedic period, even at that time, mental diseases
were known. In the Vedic texts, mental diseases are known in
form of ‘insanity’. Insanity was bifurcated into two i.e. unmadita,
probably that which was self-created or circumstantial, and
unmatta, ‘demonic possession’. Remedies included spells, chants,
and the use of various herbs, some of which are used even today
in Ayurveda.

2. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO POOR MENTAL HEALTH
Substance Abuse
Fears
Envy
Egotism
Anguish
Greed
Social Media
Poor Nutrition
Poor/Disturbed Sleep
High usage of substances like alcohol, and psychedelics drugs causes conditions
like psychosis.
Fear has multiple facets triggered by threat. The Sympathetic Nervous System
responsible for flight and fight gets adversely affected.
Envy regarding others’ achievements or success or rewards adds to
psychological disorders.
Getting self-obsessed about own accomplishments is Egotism which could turn
into an indecisive nature.
Anguish can be grip in any form due to discrimination, trauma, grief, assault,
and take the form of mental distress.
Non-stop Social media usage is pushing us to seek validation from others,
giving rise to sadness, depression, devise addiction and so on.
Greed could arise for power, position, prestige, and money. And as we succumb
to it, it diminishes happiness and increases anxiousness.
Poor Nutrition can lead to impaired decision-making and exposure to risks of
ADHD, depression, bipolar, and schizophrenia.
Poor Sleep leads to feelings of suspicion, anger, and frustration and may
further give rise to conditions like paranoia and mania.

3. IMPACT OF POOR MENTAL HEALTH ON OUR BODY
System Impact
Skin Dryness, acne, eczema, psoriasis, itching, hives.
Immunity Susceptibility to infection increases, Poor diet.
Digestive Irregular eating, Weight gain, Constipation,
Cramps.
Reproductive Irregular Menstruation, Infertility.
Musculoskeletal Back pain, Muscle cramps and pain.
Endocrine Higher cortisol, Rise in glucose level,
imbalanced thyroid.
Brain Anxiety, Memory loss, nervous disorder.
Circulatory High blood pressure, and increased heart rate.
Respiratory Breathlessness and wheezing.
Any disease is an outcome of ‘mind-emotions-physical distress.’

4. PROGRESSION OF DISORDERS
Psychic Phase
Psychosomatic
phase
Somatic phase
Organic phase
Mild persistent
psychological and
behavioural symptoms
like irritability and sleep
disturbance.
Generalized
physiological symptoms
appear, like,
hypertension, tremors.
.
Disturbed function of
(weaker) organs
resulting in conditions
like pre-diabetes and
overweight.
.
Pathological changes
occur with the full
manifestation of the
diseases like peptic
ulcer, and cancer.
.
Almost all disorders have
patterns of progression.
None of the disorders occur
in one day. They all
progress due to ignorance
or lack of knowledge.

5. INTERVENTION OF YOG FOR MENTAL WELL BEING
A great emphasis is laid on the complications of thoughts. Diseases are not only caused by pathogens, but also by the negative
thoughts we give refuge to in our minds. We all know how yog practice greatly influences mental well-being. Yog would allow the
incorporation of a moderate lifestyle keeping all mental distress at bay or at least would help manage the distress well.
Hormonal
Balance
Better
Sleep
Better
Immunity
Reduced
Anxiety
Reduces
intrusive
memories
and
emotions
Self
Acceptance
Healthier
Habits
Peace and
Hapiness

6. Four Attitudes for MENTAL Peace
Sage Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra mentions Four attitudes, the incorporation
of which could help take care of mental health and help each of us to
stabilize and calm our own minds and hearts; thereby bringing inner
peace.
• Maitri (Friendliness) - When we see a happy person when we
ourselves are not happy. This miserable attitude stresses us further.
However, a friendly attitude can purify our minds.
• Karuna (Compassion): When we see an unhappy person and we
become impatient or judgemental, instead cultivating feelings of
compassion would help us only.
• Mudita (Delight): When we see a virtuous person with admirable
qualities, we must feel delighted and bring goodwill instead of envy.
• Upeksha (Equanimity): When we see an un-virtuous (or wicked)
person and we become angry, instead we should learn to be
indifferent or neutral.
A calm mind will always ensure complete mental well-being.