Disclaimer/Trigger Warning: This blog contains mentions of trauma, mental health struggles, and suicide. If these topics may be triggering or distressing to you, please proceed with caution or consider reaching out to someone for support.
Living a healthy life can mean a lot of things. This October 10th is World Mental Health Day, a day to raise awareness about how much mental health is connected to every part of our lives, including our physical health. Until recently, there has been a social stigma around talking about mental health. But with new studies and information, we are starting to understand that mental and emotional health are a big part of living a balanced, healthy life. At Premier Medical Group, we believe it’s important to remove the stigma around mental health conversations and realize that mental health is a key part of our overall well-being. *
The CDC defines mental health as “our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.” Mental health touches every part of our lives, from our relationships and work to our physical health and how we have fun. It affects how productive we are, how we manage stress, and how we see the world. **
According to the National Alliance on Mental Health:
- 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year.
- 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year.
- 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year. ***
Mental health issues can affect anyone, no matter their age, gender, background, or job. Taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body.
The Effects of Untreated Mental Health Issues
Untreated mental health problems can get worse over time. What starts as mild symptoms can grow into bigger issues, making it harder to work, keep relationships, or enjoy life.
Worsening Symptoms: When mental health issues like anxiety or depression go untreated, they can get worse. What starts out as something manageable can become more serious and harder to treat over time.
Health Problems: Poor mental health can affect your physical health. It can make it harder to take care of yourself, whether that’s managing a condition like diabetes or eating properly. Stress can also cause physical problems, leading to pain, a higher risk of heart attack or stroke, and even early death.
Job Stability: When your mental health is suffering, it can be hard to do well at work, show up on time, or keep your job. Losing a job can lead to financial problems and even homelessness.
Incarceration: Mental Health America reports that “1.2 million people with mental illness are in jail or prison each year. Many times, their troubles with the law start with minor offenses like jaywalking or trespassing. States with less access to mental health care have higher numbers of people in the criminal justice system.” ****
Trauma: When our mental health is not in a good place, it can make it harder to make safe choices. This can lead to situations where people get hurt, causing trauma that can create more problems down the line.
Suicide: Many mental health disorders can cause suicidal thoughts. When untreated issues start to seriously impact someone’s life, feelings of hopelessness can take over. Call or text 988 if you or your loved one needs support.
The Link Between Mental and Physical Health
In addition to causing more severe psychological impacts, untreated mental health problems can also affect your physical well-being. This can manifest through symptoms such as chronic fatigue, headaches, digestive issues, and even a weakened immune system. Addressing mental health holistically is essential for overall wellness.
Life Span: Studies show that people with severe mental health problems live 10 to 25 years less than those without these issues. *****
Chronic Illness: Depression has been linked to long-term illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. It can also cause headaches, fatigue, and digestion issues. Schizophrenia increases the risk of heart and lung disease, while stress raises cortisol levels, which affects everything from your immune system to reproductive health.
Sleep Problems: Mental health problems can cause issues like insomnia, nightmares, or poor sleep schedules. These sleep problems can then make mental and physical health issues worse.
Health Care: People struggling with mental health often neglect their physical health. They may skip doctor’s visits or not get their problems checked out. Some may not have access to health care because they lost their job or insurance.
Substance Use Disorders: According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 20.4 million American adults (7.9%) had both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder in the past year. Substance abuse harms both mental and physical health. ******
Physical Health Impact on Mental Health
Exercise and Physical Activity: Exercise helps mental health by releasing brain chemicals that improve mood, boost the immune system, and increase oxygen to the brain. It can also help with neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to adapt and change.
Sleep: Poor sleep can impact mood and anxiety and affect the immune system, which in turn influences mental health. Consistent sleep schedules help maintain our overall well-being and develop and maintain resilience.
Physical Illness or Injury: Chronic illness or long-term injuries can increase anxiety, stress, and affect self-esteem, all of which harm mental health. A healthier body allows us to maintain our energy and navigate our daily stressors in a more consistent manner.
Diet and Nutrition: A poor diet can weaken your immune system, cause health issues, and reduce cognitive function, which can affect mental health. A balanced diet helps your body produce the chemicals it needs to manage stress and improve your mood.
Why It’s Important to Talk to Your Primary Care Provider About Your Mental Health
Talking to your primary care provider is an essential part of taking care of your whole self. It’s important to look at health in a holistic way, understanding that mental and physical health are connected. Trusting your primary care provider and giving them the full picture of your health can help you live your best life. Your doctor can help you spot mental health issues early, treat them, and make sure your mental health doesn’t affect other conditions like diabetes or heart disease. Some physical health medications can affect your mental health, so your doctor can adjust them to manage any emotional side effects. They can also guide you to specialists or therapy that fits your needs.
This World Mental Health Day, start a conversation about mental health with your loved ones and raise awareness about how important it is to take care of your mind. Talk to your primary care doctor about both your mental and physical health, and remember that taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body.
*https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-mental-health-is-so-important
**https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm
***https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt39443/2021NSDUHFFRRev010323.pdf
**** https://www.mhanational.org/issues/access-mental-health-care-and-incarceration
***** https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9840511/#wps21055-bib-0001****** https://americanaddictioncenters.org/addiction-statistics