Inside the mind: Why mental health matters

Graphic+made+by+Jaiden+Tripp.

Graphic made by Jaiden Tripp.

Jaiden Tripp, News Editor
February 13, 2023

Mental health is prevalent in society today, so why is it so hard to talk about? Some people may answer this question with, “because it’s awkward”, but the real reason is that it takes away any feeling of strength, or that’s how studies have often explained it.

Often, people who are struggling with mental health try to mask any feelings they might have. This is because they feel as if telling people how they feel makes them weak. 

Weakness, defined as the state of lacking strength, is one of the most common reasons people deny struggling with mental health.

If it is so hard to talk about emotions relating to mental health, why is it so important?

Mental health is as it sounds, it is the health of your mind, which is part of your personal well-being and often relates to your physical health.

Signs to Look Out for in Friends

These signs can show that your friends may be struggling with mental health, but it can also apply to you as well.

  • Taking longer than usual to respond or don’t respond at all
  • Sleeping pattern changes
  • Have back to back days where they seem down
  • Are more prone to crying, or have been crying more
  • Changing or canceling plans often
  • Struggle to eat or eat more than normal

All of these signs can be found on Feel Better Leeds. There are more signs that can be specific to the person, plus many more can be found on the internet.

Talking about mental health lets people understand their struggles and come to terms with the idea of seeking professional help. Without analyzing concerns about mental health, people will not seek the professional help they need.

The topic of mental health should be talked about more than it is. The statistics for teenagers struggling with mental health have increased at rapid rates over the years, which raises concerns for parents and adults.

“Levels of depression had increased from 9 percent for young people born in the early 1990s to almost 15 percent for those born at the turn of the millennium,” UCL School of Life and Medical Sciences states. 

Going along with the uprising mental health, self-harm rates have also increased a concerning amount.

“Rates of self-harm had also risen from 12 percent to 14 percent over a decade,” UCL states. 

These concerning mental health rates can put teenagers in difficult positions. Without speaking about these struggles, the rates of self-harm have a chance of increasing. 

So the answer to “why does mental health matter?” is to spread awareness of the struggles many face when mental health issues arise. 

Always remember that some people just need someone to listen. Be there for your friends and don’t be afraid to reach out to professionals.