October 10 is World Mental Health Day

I read somewhere that 450 million people worldwide suffer from some form of mental depression. My guess would have been much higher based on the number of people i know personally who are on some form of depression medication.

World Mental Health Day was brought about in efforts to arouse awareness of mental health issues and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.
This year's theme is 'Mental health in a changing world: The impact of culture and diversity'.

World Mental Health Day was first observed in 1992 and is observed every year on October 10.

Schools, youth groups, hospitals, etc. commemorate this day through activities such as Health checks, spa treatments, Music festivals,?Anti-stigma campaigns, School assemblies, Poster displays, etc..
To commemorate this day, the Mental Health Foundation is asking people to talk openly about their mental health, sharing with friends, family and on websites.

How does culture and diversity impact mental health issues?

Todays world is so diverse that you can find several different cultures most large cities of the world. Culture can influence how we communicate. Customs vary in different lands and body language can add additional meaning, making communication and treatment somewhat confusing. Cultures have different ways of coping with illness. Mental illness may cause one to be ashamed, thus hiding or ignoring symptoms and going untreated. Getting support from family or friends may also prove difficult. Caregivers need to understand society's impact on other cultures. The World Federation of Mental Health seeks to develop a method of treatment that will consider various backgrounds and beliefs.

Even though caregivers are being trained in matters of various cultures and communications, the individual needs to recognize the symptoms to begin with.

Some symptoms of depression may include:

- feeling down
- tired all the time
- lack of interest in things you normally find pleasure in
- irregular sleep patterns
- irritable or angry

Depression can last from weeks to years and can lead to other problems including:

- alcohol and drug abuse
- difficulty in making decisions
- higher risk of death during a heart attack or stroke
- strained relationships
- suicidal tendencies

What causes Depression?

Some triggers of Depression include:

- imbalance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters -
- sickness and disease
- negative thinking patterns such as low self-esteem and excessive worrying
- family history
- difficult life events -
- certain medications -
- frequent and excessive alcohol consumption - ?
Fortunately Depression is treatable a full, productive life is attainable when proper action is taken.

Treatments for Depression.

Treatment may include some combination of medication, psychotherapy, or changes in diet and exercise. Support groups are also available.

Who can Diagnose Depression?

Depression is often diagnosed by a physician, a counselor, or Psychologists, Psychiatrists. However, people familiar with the disease may recognize the symptoms in someone close to them and be able to encourage them to seek professional help.

Where can you get screened for Depression?

Many online health sites offer depression-screening test that you can use to help determine if you should seek further help.

A few of the sites are:

http://depression-screening.org
http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/screens/
http://psychcentral.com/depquiz.htm

No matter what treatments are prescribed for you by your Doctor, it is important to be consistent in following them. If you are prescribed medication, sometimes it can take several attempts to determine what the right drug and dosage is for you. Keeping in touch with your doctor is essential in gauging your treatment. It may also be helpful to keep a journal and document your feelings and the meds or treatments you are taking. Don't forget to talk about mental illness, not only will talking about Depression help with arouse awareness, but you may just be helping someone who is suffering in silence, unaware of what ails them. Good Mental Health Day to you!