Health Tips

Welcome to the third week of our Movember series! In conjunction with the Movember movement during November, we will be covering men’s health issues to raise awareness on men’s well being. Following last week’s article on testicular cancer, today we will be covering the third issue in the Movember series, which is mental health and suicide prevention.

What is mental health?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO):

“Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”

It is important to realise that poor mental health can be deadly. Quoting Movember,

“Globally, a man dies every minute from suicide.”

Men, regardless of age group, do not recognise when they are experiencing mental health issues and are uncomfortable to ask for help, due to stereotypical forms of masculinity. 

Contributing factors

In this fast-paced and high-stress society, mental health has been increasingly identified, mostly due to:

• Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry

• Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse

• Family history of mental health problems

It is important to recognise that mental health problems are common but help is available. People with mental health problems can get better and many recover completely.

Early Warning Signs

If you are unsure whether yourself or someone around you is suffering from mental health issues, look out for these signs:

• Eating or sleeping too much or too little

• Pulling away from people and usual activities

• Having low or no energy

• Feeling hopeless

• Rely heavily on mood-altering substances (smoking, drinking, or drugs) more than usual

• Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared

• Yelling or fighting with family and friends

• Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships

• Having persistent thoughts and memories you can't get out of your head

• Hearing voices or believing things that are not true

• Thinking of harming yourself or others

• Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school

How to self-help

• Getting professional help if you need it

• Having a support network, whether via self-help groups or close friends and family

• Make effort to improve your lifestyle (getting physically active, Getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, avoid or quit substance use)

• Developing coping skills (relaxation techniques, deep breathing, meditation)

• Recognise and allow some time-off if needed

Click here for more links and local resources.

References:

1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154543#treatment 

2. https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health 

3. https://www.moh.gov.my/moh/resources/Penerbitan/Garis%20Panduan/Pengurusan%20KEsihatan%20&%20kawalan%20pykit/Modul%20unit%20mental%202017/Malaysian_Guidelines_On_Suicide_Prevention_And_managment.pdf 

Written by

Ms. Charlotte Lee