Why is Mental Health Important?

(Note: This article discusses suicide and other serious issues pertaining to mental health.)

Whether through a minor bump in your journey or a full-blown crisis, you may have struggled with your mental health in some capacity in the last few years. It can be difficult to prioritize yourself while pursuing educational and professional goals.

Focusing on your mental health is perhaps the most powerful step you can take to improve your overall quality of life.

How Does Mental Health Impact Daily Life?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), one in five adults now lives with a moderate to severe mental health condition.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) referred to mental health as a person’s “emotional, psychological and social well-being.”

When you're experiencing good mental health, you can typically tackle life events one step at a time, according to Dr. Eric Jett, a licensed counselor and senior director of counseling programs at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

“Being in a positive place with mental health is being able to acknowledge emotionally where you are at, knowing that you can accomplish the daily tasks that you need to maintain healthy relationships and engage in a way that is meaningful for you," he said.

In addition to the impact that mental health has on your day-to-day life, serious mental health issues can affect your relationships, career, education and long-term goals. As rates of mental illness increase worldwide, addressing your mental health challenges as they arise can change — or even save — your life.

Why is Mental Health Important for Students? 

The World Heath Organization (WHO) reported a sharp rise in the number of people experiencing mental illness in more recent years, with the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating mental health problems throughout the world. For students, it's more important than ever to address your mental health issues to stay mentally healthy and keep up with your educational and personal goals.

Even before the pandemic, mental health was a prominent concern for students. In 2019, the National College Health Assessment (NCHA) noted that many students reported feeling exhausted, lonely and overwhelmed, among other symptoms and difficulties (NCHA PDF Source). Of the surveyed students, 20.2% reported experiencing depression and 27.8% reported experiencing anxiety that affected their studies in the preceding year.

"College can be overwhelming as individuals navigate the pressures of academic responsibilities and other aspects of life," Jett said. "It’s completely normal to feel stressed."

But it's important to find healthy ways to manage that stress, he said.

Ways to Cope with Stress

Stress management can be a vital aspect of student success, especially for busy students who may also be working or caring for others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended several methods to help manage stress:

• Adequate sleep
• Avoidance of alcohol and substance abuse
• Cultivating healthy relationships
• Eating well
• Exercising
• Meditation and other self-care activities

Jett, who has more than two decades of experience in the mental health field, also advised taking time to determine what else you need more or less of in your life. Examples include the ability to:

• Adapt during periods of change
• Establish boundaries
• Express your needs
• Release unrealistic standards
• Say 'no' without guilt

"All of these aspects can be helpful to one's mental health," he said. 

You don't have to go it alone, either. "There's no shame in seeking mental health support when needed, just as there would be none in seeking medical help for an ongoing physical issue," Jett said. "We have to give a voice to our own mental health needs so that those around us know how to provide support better."

Some colleges have free, real-time mental health services for students. For example, students at SNHU can access the school’s HelpU program. If you are a student struggling with mental health, look into what resources are available through your school.

Read more: How to Deal with Stress in College

How is Mental Health Connected to Physical Health?

The NIMH reported that some mental illnesses like depression and anxiety can cause physical symptoms that are otherwise unexplained. The CDC also noted that mental illness can increase the risk of diabetes, stroke and heart disease.

At the same time, chronic physical health issues can also contribute to mental health issues, according to the CDC. 

"There is a unique interplay between our physical and mental health," Jett said. "Individuals who are stressed, anxious or struggling to talk about their emotions may see a bodily or somatic response. This could show up as headaches, ulcers or physical ailments that are, in essence, speaking for the individual and their experience."

The opposite can also be true: By tending to your physical health, you may see improvements to your mental health, according to Jett.

"It is a balance to ensure we look at ourselves holistically and take care of all aspects," he said.

What Are Examples of Mental Health Problems?

Mental health problems can affect your life in various ways, depending upon the issue or disorder. The following are examples of different mental health problems and their corresponding challenges and symptoms.

Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety disorders are a leading mental health issue globally, and the NIMH approximated that almost one in three people will experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. Symptoms of anxiety can range from tenseness or nervousness to panic attacks and physical illness.

Anxiety can refer to generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, separation anxiety, specific phobias and other anxiety-based disorders, according to the NIMH.

Depression is another common disorder with the capacity to severely impact a person’s life, according to NIMH. Symptoms typically include persistent sadness, emptiness, irritability, guilt or feelings of low self-worth. People with depression also may have difficulties focusing, aches, pains, digestive issues or changes in their sleep and eating habits, the NIMH said.

Some of the most serious symptoms of depression are suicidal thoughts and actions. Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. overall — yet it is the 2nd leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10-14 and 25-34 and the 3rd leading cause of death for Americans 15-24 years old, per the NIMH.

Trauma and Addiction

The psychological impact of a traumatic event or experience can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, unwanted memories, nightmares and panic attacks. Although the disorder is often associated with war veterans, a wide variety of traumatic experiences can lead to PTSD, like assault, abuse, serious accidents and loss, according to NIMH.

Addiction is another mental health concern that has been on the rise in recent years, with drug overdose deaths having rapidly increased since the 1990s, according to the CDC. Between 2020 and 2021, excessive alcohol use can be linked to more than 178,000 deaths in the U.S., according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).

Addiction is a complex disease that many are only able to overcome with professional help, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reported.

Other Disorders

Psychotic disorders are among the most stigmatized in society, which only serves to further alienate people living with psychosis and seeking treatment, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Psychosis is defined as a disconnect from reality by way of auditory/visual hallucinations, disorganized thinking or delusions, according to the NIMH.

Some psychotic disorders include schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Despite misconceptions regarding psychosis and violence, the World Psychiatry Journal noted that experiencers of psychosis are far more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.

Other common psychiatric disorders include:

• Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia
• Mood disorders like bipolar disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Personality disorders like borderline personality disorder

Each mental health disorder has its own set of challenges — and its own set of treatments.

What Are Warning Signs and Risk Factors of Mental Illness?

Some mental illnesses may be hereditary, while others are developed. Jett noted a variety of warning signs that signal mental health issues as well as additional risk factors that can lead to mental health problems.

Some warning signs of mental illness are:

• Appetite changes and disruption of sleep
• Engaging in risky behaviors (self-harm, sexual acting out, disordered eating or other compulsive behaviors)
• Mental distress (worrisome thoughts, tension, insecurity)
• Negative impacts on relationships (isolating, arguing, etc.)
• Substance abuse
• Suicidal thoughts

Other risk factors of mental illness include:

• Adverse childhood experiences
• Past or present trauma
• Present or past experiences of being abused or assaulted
• Sudden loss

Consider reaching out to a professional for help if you're experiencing warning signs of mental illness.

If someone you know is struggling with these symptoms, Jett noted the "serve and return" principle can be helpful. "See the person and their experience," he said. "Acknowledge that you see what they are going through. Be present and in the here-and-now with the individual, make eye contact, slow down and hear what is being said."

From there, he said you can take the QPR approach:

• Question: Directly ask the individual you are concerned about how they are doing, sharing your care and concern
• Persuade: Talk to the person about the benefits of seeking care with a mental health professional who can provide support and resources to address overwhelming thoughts and feelings
• Refer: Support the individual by helping them find available care, make an appointment and/or take them to the appointment

What Helps Mental Health: Available Treatments and Resources

A variety of treatment options exist for different mental health issues.

"Achieving a healthy mental health stage is a personal journey, which may look different for everyone," Jett said. He said some people:

• Use counseling and work with a licensed professional as it creates a safe space for emotional exploration
• Explore the option of medication and how that supports their mental health needs
• Lean on the support structure in their life and increase self-care, if they're at the point in their journey where they can

"What is essential is that the approach is intentional and approached as a way to process the experience and not numb or suppress the experience," he said.

Many patients visit multiple mental health providers — for example, seeing a psychiatrist regarding medications and a therapist for more frequent counseling sessions. Consult the Mayo Clinic’s guide to finding a mental health provider, and reach out to your health insurance provider to find mental health services near you. 

You can also use Psychology Today’s directory to help locate a provider in your area, and Findtreatment.gov offers a substance abuse treatment locator tool. For serious mental health concerns, The National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has an early serious mental health treatment locator tool to find treatment centers in the U.S.

"Historically, there has been a stigma around seeking mental health support. In many ways, society conditions us to shy away from mental health care," Jett said. "We need to shift this stigma... We go to our doctor for an annual physical; why not visit our counselor for a yearly mental health check-in?"

Jett recognized that society is moving in a positive direction with the focus on mental health care in the military and school systems, for instance.

"We are at a point where mental health issues are no longer an isolating event because we have a greater understanding that we all have our own mental health needs," he said.

If you or someone you know needs help now, consult these resources or contact a professional mental health provider. In the event of an emergency, please call 911.

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
• Veterans Crisis Line
• National Strategy for Suicide Prevention

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Southern New Hampshire University where they earned their bachelor's and master's, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon's short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. They're currently writing their debut novel, which was Longlisted for The First Pages Prize. Connect with them on LinkedIn.