Mental health includes a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Not only does mental health determine how they act, feel, and think, but it also affects how they handle stress and relate to people and things in daily life. Mental health is relevant and vital in all life's stages, from adolescence to adulthood. The terms poor mental health and mental illness are interchangeable but aren't identical in meanings and effects. A person with poor mental health cannot necessarily be mentally ill. Likewise, a person with mental illness can experience wellness in variable aspects of their life.

The connection between mental and physical health

Both physical and mental health are vital components of a person's overall well-being. Take, for example, depression. This mental illness is alone the cause of many types of physical health problems, inducing lasting conditions like diabetes and cardiac problems. Even long-term physical hardships like caring for a terminally ill family member, working long hours, or financial turmoil, can lead to poor mental health.

Does mental health remain static over time?

Just like physical health, mental health also witnesses an uphill or downhill journey over time, and many factors are involved in this transition. When a person is demanded of duties far exceeding their capabilities and resources, their mental health is compromised.

What factors affect mental health?

No one can pinpoint a single reason for mental illnesses because many factors come together and affect a person's mental health. But the most notable characteristics in this aspect are listed below.
Early age trauma or abuse at the hands of family or strangers can negatively affect a person's mental and physical health. Child abuse, sexual harassment, violent encounters, and physical abuse at any stage of life can leave a lasting negative impact.
First-hand experiences of other debilitating medical conditions like cancer also impact mental health.

Usage of alcohol and substance abuse also affects mental health

Feelings associated with loneliness and isolation in the absence of near and dear ones lead to a person sinking in the dilemmas of mental illnesses

Impacts of mental health issues

Mental health issues are often associated with many identifiable symptoms. Though they may vary from person to person, the typical traits include the following:

• Feeling hopeless, worthless, isolated, tearful, sad, or empty.
• Witnessing angry outbursts like irritation or frustration over even petty issues.
• Lack of interest in life's pleasurable activities like sports, hobbies, or intimacies.
• Either lack of sleep or sleeping too much.
• Feeling sluggish to the point that even small task stake too much effort.
• Change in eating patterns associated with loss of appetite and weight or weight gain due to increased food cravings.
• Restlessness or fidgeting and anxiety.
• Recessed thinking leads to recessed body movements.
• Feeling self-guilt or worthlessness and associating past mistakes and failures with oneself.
• Trouble making and making decisions due to short-term memory loss and lack of concentration.
• Repeated mention of death or suicide leading to suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts.
• Frequently complains of unexplained physical ailments like prolonged headaches.

For some people, these symptoms are significant enough to hinder day-to-day activities like work, school, running errands, social networking, or maintaining relationships. Some people feel an unknowing sadness, while children appear cranky and irritated.

How to help a loved one deal with their mental health issues?

It is indeed a gut-wrenching experience to identify the symptoms mentioned above in your loved ones and to see them struggling with them daily. It is equally hard to find the best possible assistance to support them.
People are different, and so are their situations. Closed family and friends are people who know us best. They may have concerns about how the person is talking or behaving because they have a deep understanding of their relationship and compatibility, which is why they know best what measures can prove fruitful to help the distressed soul.
However, some basic guidelines help you when a loved one suffers from mental health issues.

Identifying the symptoms

Most of the symptoms faced by people with mental health issues are listed in the above bullets. Apart from those listed, the affected person withdraws from social interactions - voluntarily or involuntarily is a debate for another time. It's always good to seek professional help in this regard, but interactions with people who have previously been through similar instances also help a lot. Such people have witnessed the hardships of mental health issues, and their advice and assistance may not necessarily be apt, but at least it's from a relevant source who has been in a similar capacity.

Addressing the core issue

The hardest thing to do for a loved one is to address the core issue behind the trouble. Don't abruptly start the conversation, but you don't have to be an expert in providing solutions, nor do you have all the answers. Your willingness to lend them a listening ear and your concern for helping them matter most. While conversing, use sentences structured around you instead of targeting them directly. For example, I am concerned about you, I want you to fare better instead of saying you should do this, or you are doing that.
Avoid showcasing judgemental behaviour for their thoughts and actions. Instead, show patience towards their irritable behaviour. Don't disregard them or their feelings.
Remind them that seeking help is a sign of unparalleled strength.

Words for you!

Remember, it's vital to learn about mental health conditions because the more you educate yourself about the requirements and symptoms, the more you will be able to help them better. Anticipate and address any barriers that come your way and make it possible to offer unsolicited help to your loved ones.