According to WHO, mental health is a state of well-being that enables individual to manage their own expectations and actions.
Mental disorder is a condition that affect a person's cognitive and emotional functioning.
Two things are involved here, mental health and mental disorder. This shows one cannot be on this two state at the same time. If you are reading this post now or watching the video, you are mentally sound.
Sign that one is mentally ill.
Before I explain signs that show that one is mentally ill, let me explain things that can lead to mental disorder. One of the main factor is economic factor. When one is financially limited, unemployment, weak economic status as many countries like Nigeria suffering now, occupation that is so stressful, poor quality housing, lack of resources and opportunity, poverty and violence, discrimination and economic inequality, all this can lead to mental illness.
One way to know that one is having mental challenge is when the person starts dis associating from others, always silent or talking to himself, feeling depressed and anxiety, can not communicate well or reason things with others again.
I know a friend, after the death of her husband, she lost cognition, at first, we didn't know until we found out why she doesn't respond to discussion anymore. I tried to know her challenge but no answer, I told her mother in-law that the lady is loosing it, she must see a psychologist immediately. When that was done, it was discovered that she was mentally ill and attention of a psychiatric was needed.
How to help people with mental illness
First, we need to understand that this person has lost cognitive and don't even understand what he/she is doing, treatment and therapy is needed. We should not conclude that it cannot be cured. We don't need to abuse them by saying negative words even if there lifestyle lead to it. Again, when we observe that, someone close to is is under stress, depression or anxiety, we should try our best to bring that person back to activities before it id too late. Our love, care, and kind words will help the person in an unimaginable way.
Hive weekly goal
No matter what had happened, I will still set a new goal on hive, for past 4 months, my hive goal was as good as dead as everything turn upside down. Nevertheless, setting a new goal is the way forward. This week I hope to tru my best to engage more in the community, to make more post, to join in Alive power up and other activities on hive.
Conclusion
It is the obligation of relatives, friends to help anyone close to them with mental illness so that he will recover quick. It is not time for abusive words but to encourage them and show them love and support.