Mental Health Pandemic

The wellness of a human being is always considered and kept at the highest priority to be taken care of in one’s life. The physically fit aspect of well-being is something that we all have had experience doing. Whether it was because your parents registered you for little league baseball, or it was gym class in your school. Many adults and teens work on their physical fitness because they have a goal that they want to reach in their minds. Some teens and adults will work rigorously to attain their goals, and it would only be possible if they have good mental strength accompanying them. A strong mind does not mean someone smart needs to be beside them every time they work out, but it is the person’s mental strength and wellness. The mental health aspect of human life is something that no one pays heed to because of pre-existing stigmas. To this date, this stigma still exists and has resulted in more mental health-related deaths.

The topic of mental health in many communities is regarded as more of a sickening disease that could spread to others and harm a person's reputation. What people did not realize was that this stigma caused many to suffer. Suffer from something which can be dealt with or avoided for the most part. People should not associate mental health as something that can be treated because that would make it an illness. An illness is a more specific aspect of mental health and develops due to long-term poor mental health. In general, mental health relates to how a person deals with challenges in life and how effective they are with their methods. Because of this misunderstanding, individuals start hiding their mental health issues which becomes more of a burden to hold. Another reason why many will not open up about their mental health problems is that they know themselves and society will see them as someone with a severe issue. However, the reality of this issue is that issues regarding mental health, good or bad, are typical and are recognized, teenagers and adults globally will sustain better mental health.

Currently, more and more individuals are dying because of substandard mental health. Once poor mental health becomes evident in oneself, it turns into depression or a negative look on life. Depression is the leading cause of teenage deaths and can happen for multiple reasons. Bullying, hopelessness, feelings of disappointment, stress, and loss are leading reasons why teenagers attempt suicide. Since 2000, the suicide rate for all genders and ages escalated by at least 30%. Males in all age ranges commit suicide because they feel neglected by society and when they ask for help like they are supposed to, they are ignored. This double standard implied by people is the killer behind the scenes. The stories of those who have gone through and going through depression can be found in the comment section of articles on depression. Most anecdotes of those with depression have similar triggering factors for their depression and/or suicidal thoughts. If a problem is so prevalent and is not solved yet, it requires extensive research or is disregarded. The ones who struggle the most from poor mental health are typically males because they tend to be more suicidal than females and do not receive the same treatment as females who go through depression. The only way to solve issues like this is by changing the stigmas which exist right now so that their generation can support those in need.

The mental well-being of the future generation depends on how much we change the current and how effective those changes will be. How important this generation takes this issue is how much attention and alterations for the better will occur. Since there is no such thing as a cure for depression, people should focus on how to avoid this issue. Being aware of a beings mental wellness is the future that everyone needs and every individual will receive. The next time any person seems off in any way saying "are you ok? Do you need any help?" The best thing an individual can get is a friend.