essay about mental and physical health

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Mental Health Essay

Introduction

Mental health, often overshadowed by its physical counterpart, is an intricate and essential aspect of human existence. It envelops our emotions, psychological state, and social well-being, shaping our thoughts, behaviors, and interactions. With the complexities of modern life—constant connectivity, societal pressures, personal expectations, and the frenzied pace of technological advancements—mental well-being has become increasingly paramount. Historically, conversations around this topic have been hushed, shrouded in stigma and misunderstanding. However, as the curtains of misconception slowly lift, we find ourselves in an era where discussions about mental health are not only welcomed but are also seen as vital. Recognizing and addressing the nuances of our mental state is not merely about managing disorders; it's about understanding the essence of who we are, how we process the world around us, and how we navigate the myriad challenges thrown our way. This essay aims to delve deep into the realm of mental health, shedding light on its importance, the potential consequences of neglect, and the spectrum of mental disorders that many face in silence.

Importance of Mental Health

Mental health plays a pivotal role in determining how individuals think, feel, and act. It influences our decision-making processes, stress management techniques, interpersonal relationships, and even our physical health. A well-tuned mental state boosts productivity, creativity, and the intrinsic sense of self-worth, laying the groundwork for a fulfilling life.

Negative Impact of Mental Health

Neglecting mental health, on the other hand, can lead to severe consequences. Reduced productivity, strained relationships, substance abuse, physical health issues like heart diseases, and even reduced life expectancy are just some of the repercussions of poor mental health. It not only affects the individual in question but also has a ripple effect on their community, workplace, and family.

Mental Disorders: Types and Prevalence

Mental disorders are varied and can range from anxiety and mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder to more severe conditions such as schizophrenia.

• Depression: Characterized by persistent sadness, lack of interest in activities, and fatigue.
• Anxiety Disorders: Encompass conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and specific phobias.
• Schizophrenia: A complex disorder affecting a person's ability to think, feel, and behave clearly.

The prevalence of these disorders has been on the rise, underscoring the need for comprehensive mental health initiatives and awareness campaigns.

Understanding Mental Health and Its Importance

Mental health is not merely the absence of disorders but encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Recognizing the signs of deteriorating mental health, like prolonged sadness, extreme mood fluctuations, or social withdrawal, is crucial. Understanding stems from awareness and education. Societal stigmas surrounding mental health have often deterred individuals from seeking help. Breaking these barriers, fostering open conversations, and ensuring access to mental health care are imperative steps.

Conclusion: Mental Health

Mental health, undeniably, is as significant as physical health, if not more. In an era where the stressors are myriad, from societal pressures to personal challenges, mental resilience and well-being are essential. Investing time and resources into mental health initiatives, and more importantly, nurturing a society that understands, respects, and prioritizes mental health is the need of the hour.

• World Leaders: Several influential personalities, from celebrities to sports stars, have openly discussed their mental health challenges, shedding light on the universality of these issues and the importance of addressing them.
• Workplaces: Progressive organizations are now incorporating mental health programs, recognizing the tangible benefits of a mentally healthy workforce, from increased productivity to enhanced creativity.
• Educational Institutions: Schools and colleges, witnessing the effects of stress and other mental health issues on students, are increasingly integrating counseling services and mental health education in their curriculum.

In weaving through the intricate tapestry of mental health, it becomes evident that it's an area that requires collective attention, understanding, and action.

  Short Essay about Mental Health

Mental health, an integral facet of human well-being, shapes our emotions, decisions, and daily interactions. Just as one would care for a sprained ankle or a fever, our minds too require attention and nurture. In today's bustling world, mental well-being is often put on the back burner, overshadowed by the immediate demands of life. Yet, its impact is pervasive, influencing our productivity, relationships, and overall quality of life.

Sadly, mental health issues have long been stigmatized, seen as a sign of weakness or dismissed as mere mood swings. However, they are as real and significant as any physical ailment. From anxiety to depression, these disorders have touched countless lives, often in silence due to societal taboos.

But change is on the horizon. As awareness grows, conversations are shifting from hushed whispers to open discussions, fostering understanding and support. Institutions, workplaces, and communities are increasingly acknowledging the importance of mental health, implementing programs, and offering resources.

In conclusion, mental health is not a peripheral concern but a central one, crucial to our holistic well-being. It's high time we prioritize it, eliminating stigma and fostering an environment where everyone feels supported in their mental health journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the primary focus of a mental health essay?

Answer: The primary focus of a mental health essay is to delve into the intricacies of mental well-being, its significance in our daily lives, the various challenges people face, and the broader societal implications. It aims to shed light on both the psychological and emotional aspects of mental health, often emphasizing the importance of understanding, empathy, and proactive care.

• How can writing an essay on mental health help raise awareness about its importance?

Answer: Writing an essay on mental health can effectively articulate the nuances and complexities of the topic, making it more accessible to a wider audience. By presenting facts, personal anecdotes, and research, the essay can demystify misconceptions, highlight the prevalence of mental health issues, and underscore the need for destigmatizing discussions around it. An impactful essay can ignite conversations, inspire action, and contribute to a more informed and empathetic society.

• What are some common topics covered in a mental health essay?

Answer: Common topics in a mental health essay might include the definition and importance of mental health, the connection between mental and physical well-being, various mental disorders and their symptoms, societal stigmas and misconceptions, the impact of modern life on mental health, and the significance of therapy and counseling. It may also delve into personal experiences, case studies, and the broader societal implications of neglecting mental health.

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The Connection Between Mental Health and Physical Health

Rachael is a New York-based writer and freelance writer for Verywell Mind, where she leverages her decades of personal experience with and research on mental illness—particularly ADHD and depression—to help readers better understand how their mind works and how to manage their mental health.

Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Luis Alvarez / Getty Images

• The Connection
• Physical Health's Effect
• Mental Health's Effect

A growing body of research makes it clear that mental health and physical health are deeply connected, with studies showing that an improvement or decline in one can lead to an improvement or decline in the other. But how exactly does one influence the other? What exactly is happening in the body to allow changes in one to change the other?

The Relationship Between Mental Health and Physical Health

To understand why mental health and physical health are so closely linked, it’s important to remember that the distinction between the two is less important than we may assume. Our thoughts, moods, and mental state may feel abstract or separate from the physical, but they are all happening as part of our brain activity.

A good example of how interconnected your brain and body are is the set of mental and physical changes that happen during the menstrual cycle. More and more research is showing that hormonal shifts throughout the menstrual cycle impact far more than just the reproductive system.

How Does Physical Health Affect Mental Health?

One complex interaction between physical changes and mental health involved the interaction of estrogen and dopamine. Dopamine, sometimes known as the “happiness hormone” is associated with motivation and reward among multiple other functions in the brain. Estrogen downregulates dopamine transmission, mimicking the effects of certain antipsychotic medications. Postpartum, when estrogen levels dramatically drop, there is an increased vulnerability to psychosis in some individuals. For people with ADHD, that can make symptoms even worse. But for people with bipolar disorder or other conditions involving psychosis, that can make psychosis symptoms better. 

Another example of hormonal changes impacting mental health involves estrogen and serotonin, in some women the drop in estrogen at the end of their menstrual cycle leads to drops in serotonin in the brain, contributing to emotional symptoms.

Reproductive hormones aren’t the only ones to be linked to mental health. Metabolic hormones—insulin, cortisol, leptin, and so on—have been found to impact a wide range of mental illnesses, from ADHD to schizophrenia to eating disorders.

Research shows that interaction is a two-way street. Metabolic problems like diabetes, hypertension or even just prolonged periods of poor nutrition can cause stress-induced changes to the brain that lead to mood and neurodevelopmental disorders. Likewise, certain mental health disorders can cause stress that triggers metabolic changes that, over time, can develop into those same metabolic diseases.

How Does Mental Health Affect Physical Health?

A number of studies have found that mental illness may accelerate biological aging, manifesting as increased rates of cardiovascular and other age-related diseases. One psychiatric condition, schizophrenia has been associated with up to 10-20 years shorter life expectancy.

It’s important to clarify that there is a lot of nuance to those findings, so being diagnosed with, say, depression does not necessarily mean a shorter life expectancy. These studies are largely based on epigenetic clocks, an algorithm for predicting biological age based on a process called DNA methylation.

But there’s a lot more involved in aging than just DNA methylation. So it’s more useful to think of your epigenetic clock as a risk factor or predictor, similar to how a person with a genetic predisposition for breast cancer is at higher risk but not guaranteed to get cancer.

What the research shows is that mental illnesses may be linked to premature aging in a few different ways:

• They can lead to unhealthy behaviors like poor diet , lack of exercise, and substance use that are bad for physical health.
• Many mental health conditions and the stress they cause can disrupt sleep, which can harm physical health over time.
• Stress can cause chronically elevated levels of cortisol, which can disrupt just about every bodily function, including the digestive system, immune system, cardiovascular system, and even reproductive system.

For people with mental illness, this can put them at risk for a range of medical conditions, including:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease

Tips for Maintaining Mental and Physical Health

There is a silver lining to all the research on the interactions between mental and physical health: it shows that the body and brain are both extremely responsive to change.

That adaptability is partly what can cause a snowball effect of mental and physical health symptoms. But it’s that same adaptability that will allow anything you do to take care of yourself to have power to trigger a snowball effect of positive changes in your body. Here are a few places you might start.

Make Regular Exercise a Lifelong Habit

The physical and mental health benefits of regular exercise are hard to overstate. It improves muscle mass and function, improves metabolic function, reduces inflammation, strengthens the immune system, improves cardiovascular and respiratory health, and even contributes to better gut microbiome diversity.

All of those physical health benefits will, in turn, improve mental health because they’re interconnected. But exercise also has direct benefits for the brain as well. Those benefits include improved cognitive function; improved executive function, including working memory and impulse control; reduced depression and anxiety symptoms; and reduced stress.

Many of these benefits are cumulative, meaning you’ll have to stick with an exercise routine for a while before you notice a difference. But exercise may also have some useful immediate benefits, including an elevated mood for several hours after exercise, improved energy levels, and mild pain relief. 

For optimal short and long-term benefits, follow these tips:

• Don’t overdo it . Training that is too intense can end up counteracting the physical and mental benefits of exercise because they cause stress and put you at risk of injuries.
• Aim for 150-300 minutes of moderate aerobic physical activity per week , including some muscle-strengthening activities at least two days per week.
• Pick activities you actually enjoy . Exercise doesn’t have to be about peak performance or maximizing each workout. It just has to be something that gets your body moving and maybe challenges you a bit when you have the energy to challenge yourself. Hike, swim, dance, play with your dog, go for a walk, whatever gets you moving without dreading the idea of exercising. If you don’t know what you enjoy, try something different every week until you find it.
• Start with ridiculously small goals . To avoid quitting before exercising becomes a habit, start by setting daily goals that seem so easy it would be ridiculous not to do them. Each week, set the goal a little higher.

Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet

Diet is one of the most important risk factors of illness, but it can also be one of the most confusing lifestyle changes to make. There’s so much conflicting information out there about what you should and shouldn’t eat. Plus, a lot of diet plans ask you to meticulously track things like fiber, protein, and micronutrients. It’s overwhelming.

Instead of trying to follow any optimized diet plan or figure out which trending superfood you should be eating, just follow a few basic principles of good nutrition and then don’t stress about it:

• Drink more water . Between three to four liters per day is the general recommendation. Don’t worry about alkalinity or electrolytes. Any safe drinking water will hydrate you.
• Eat more fruits and veggies . The recommended five servings work out to about 1 pound per day. Any fresh produce will be good for you, so don’t overthink it. With canned and frozen options, just make sure there isn’t a lot of added sugar or salt.
• Be mindful of processed foods . Even minimally processed and ready-made foods, like bread or soup, can contain a surprising amount of salt and sugar. If you do have these ready-made options, check the label to try to find low-sodium, low-sugar alternatives. 

If your current habits aren’t ideal, don’t worry about getting them perfect right from the start. Pick one change to focus on at a time so that you can turn these into lifelong habits.

Make Time for Doing Nothing

A lot of health advice, including the tips above, center on things you need to do or change. But it’s also important to remember that stress is a major factor in the harmful interactions between mental and physical health. So part of your healing process should include finding time to not worry about whether you’re eating the right thing, exercising enough, or being productive enough.

Just take a few minutes each day to sit down with no TV, no phone, no other distractions and just be. Notice where you are and what you’re feeling right now. That’s it. Don’t think about what you have to do after this or what you should be feeling or doing right now. Just be for a few minutes, maybe even for 40-45 minutes if you have the time.

This is often referred to as mindfulness, but don’t let the label pressure you into putting criteria around what you should be doing or how to optimize this time. The goal is to just check in with yourself and take a break from the noise of life for a bit. You can try a more defined mindfulness exercise once you've made a habit of carving out this time for yourself if you want to.

Doan T, Ha V, Strazdins L, Chateau D. Healthy minds live in healthy bodies – effect of physical health on mental health: Evidence from Australian longitudinal data . Curr Psychol . doi:10.1007/s12144-022-03053-7

Handy AB, Greenfield SF, Yonkers KA, Payne LA. Psychiatric symptoms across the menstrual cycle in adult women: a comprehensive review . Harv Rev Psychiatry . 2022;30(2):100-117. doi:10.1097/HRP.0000000000000329

Cirulli F. Interactions between early life stress and metabolic stress in programming of mental and metabolic health . Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences . 2017;14:65-71. doi:10.1016/j.cobeha.2016.12.009

Harvanek ZM, Boks MP, Vinkers CH, Higgins-Chen AT. The cutting edge of epigenetic clocks: in search of mechanisms linking aging and mental health . Biological Psychiatry . doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.02.001

Centers for Disease Control. About mental health .

Qiu Y, Fernández-García B, Lehmann HI, et al. Exercise sustains the hallmarks of health . Journal of Sport and Health Science . 2023;12(1):8-35. doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2022.10.003

Mikkelsen K, Stojanovska L, Polenakovic M, Bosevski M, Apostolopoulos V. Exercise and mental health . Maturitas . 2017;106:48-56. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2017.09.003

Tavares VD de O, Rossell SL, Schuch FB, et al. Effects of exercise on cognitive functioning in adults with serious mental illness: A meta analytic review . Psychiatry Research . 2023;321:115081. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115081

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Mayo Clinic Health System. 1-2-3 approach to eat fruits, veggies .

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By Rachael Green Rachael is a New York-based writer and freelance writer for Verywell Mind, where she leverages her decades of personal experience with and research on mental illness—particularly ADHD and depression—to help readers better understand how their mind works and how to manage their mental health.

Essay on Physical And Mental Health

Students are often asked to write an essay on Physical And Mental Health in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Physical And Mental Health

Understanding health.

Health is about our body and mind feeling good. Imagine your body like a car. Just as a car needs fuel and maintenance, our bodies need good food and exercise. Our minds need care too, like talking about feelings and getting enough rest.

Physical Health

Physical health means having a body that works well. Eating fruits, vegetables, and proteins, along with regular exercise, keeps us strong. Avoiding too much junk food and staying active, like playing sports, helps a lot.

Mental Health

Mental health is about how we think and feel. It’s important to share our thoughts and worries with others. Doing things we enjoy and getting enough sleep can make our mind healthy.

Keeping Balance

A balance between physical and mental health is key. We must care for our body and mind together. This means eating well, staying active, and sharing our feelings for a happy life.

250 Words Essay on Physical And Mental Health

Understanding physical and mental health.

Physical health means having a body that works well and is free from illness. Eating nutritious food, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep are all important to keep our bodies strong and healthy. When we are physically healthy, we can run, play, and do our daily tasks without getting tired quickly.

Mental health is about our feelings, thinking, and how we handle stress. It is just as important as physical health. Good mental health lets us enjoy life, learn new things, and make friends. It’s normal to feel sad or worried sometimes, but if these feelings last a long time, we should talk to someone we trust like a family member, teacher, or doctor.

Link Between Body and Mind

Our body and mind are connected. If we are hurt or sick, we might feel sad or angry. Likewise, when we are feeling stressed or unhappy, we might start to feel sick or have trouble sleeping. Taking care of our body helps our mind, and taking care of our mind helps our body.

Ways to Stay Healthy

To keep our body healthy, we need to eat fruits and vegetables, drink water, play or exercise, and sleep well. For our mind, we can talk about our feelings, write in a journal, or do activities we enjoy. We also need to make friends and spend time with them because being with people we like makes us feel good.

Remember, it’s okay to ask for help if we’re having trouble with our physical or mental health. Doctors, counselors, and teachers can give us advice and help us feel better. Taking care of both our body and mind is important for a happy and healthy life.

500 Words Essay on Physical And Mental Health

Physical and mental health are two very important parts of our lives. Think of them like the two wheels of a bicycle; both need to be in good shape for the bicycle to move smoothly. Physical health means having a body that works well and is free from illness. Mental health is about how we think, feel, and handle our emotions.

Why Physical Health Matters

Our body is like a machine that needs proper care to work well. Eating healthy foods, like fruits, vegetables, and grains, gives us the energy to run, jump, and play. Drinking plenty of water keeps us hydrated. Sleep is also very important. When we sleep, our body repairs itself and gets ready for the next day. Exercise is another key part of staying healthy. It makes our muscles stronger and helps our heart and lungs work better.

Keeping the Mind Healthy

Just like our body, our mind needs to stay healthy too. Mental health is about our feelings, our thinking, and how we deal with tough times. It’s normal to feel sad, angry, or worried sometimes. But when these feelings last a long time or get in the way of our daily life, we need to take care of our mental health. Talking to friends, family, or a counselor can help. Doing things we enjoy, like playing a game or drawing, can also make our mind feel better.

The Link Between Body and Mind

Our physical health and mental health are connected. If our body feels good, our mind often does too. For example, exercise not only makes our body strong, it also releases chemicals in our brain that make us feel happy. On the other hand, if we are sick, it can make us feel down or worried. Taking care of our body can help our mind, and taking care of our mind can help our body.

Challenges to Health

Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to stay healthy, we might get sick or feel very sad. It’s not always something we can control. Germs can make us ill, and stress or difficult events can make us feel mentally unwell. It’s important not to blame ourselves and to ask for help when we need it. Doctors can help with our physical health, and therapists or counselors can help with our mental health.

Healthy Habits for Life

To keep both our body and mind in good shape, we can develop healthy habits. Eating well, exercising, sleeping enough, and talking about our feelings are all good habits. It’s also important to take breaks and relax. Sometimes, just sitting quietly or taking deep breaths can make us feel calmer.

In conclusion, taking care of our physical and mental health is very important. It helps us do our best at school, in sports, and with friends. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help if we’re not feeling well, whether it’s our body or our mind. By looking after both, we can lead happier and healthier lives.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

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Mental Health Should Matter as Much as Physical Health

The health of the mind is just as important as the health of the body..

Posted March 25, 2019 | Reviewed by Jessica Schrader

Over the last year, we have seen high-profile suicides that have gripped our attention —from Kate Spade to Anthony Bourdain to, most recently, the tragic death of Parkland shooting survivor Sydney Aiello . It is often recognized, correctly, that suicide is highly linked to mental illness, particularly depression . That, in and of itself, is ample reason for us to think carefully about mental illness and its consequences, but before I tackle the issue of suicide, I want to comment, more foundationally, on why mental health should matter and be more central to our attention in health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Yet when we think of health, we tend to prioritize physical well-being at the expense mental health. Instead, we should tackle mental health the same way we tackle physical health—with an eye towards preventing disease by addressing the foundational forces that cause us to be sick or well. We must do so for three key reasons—there are others, of course, but here I focus on three in the interest of making a succinct, and hopefully persuasive, case.

Mental disorders account for a significant portion of the global disease burden.

About 15 percent of the world’s diseases are mental illnesses. The challenge of mental disorders is especially acute in the U.S., where an estimated one in five adults —about 44 million people—experience mental illness each year. Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting an estimated 300 million people around the world. Depression is so widespread that the WHO has projected that, by 2030, it will be the leading cause of the global disease burden.

Mental illness may be even more common than we think. Many mental health challenges are likely underreported. There are a number of reasons for this. They include differences of opinion within the mental health field about the characteristics of these disorders, as well as changes to how we study them across populations and cultures . We also have a long way to go before we create a culture where stigma no longer prevents people with mental illness from getting assistance. Thirty-eight percent of Americans have said they are “definitely or probably” unwilling to have a person with mental illness move next door to them; 58 percent said this about having someone who is mentally ill work closely with them; and 68 percent said it about having someone who is mentally ill marry into their family. These attitudes make it likelier that many people with mental illness will remain under the radar, making it hard to accurately assess their true numbers.

Mental disorders are shaped by contemporary social conditions.

Health—both physical and mental—is a product of the social, economic, and environmental conditions in which we live. Our minds, just like our bodies, are shaped by a complex array of factors, including where we live , our genetics , our childhood experiences , and our access to material resources. Income, for example , is one of the most significant influences on health and is linked to a number of common mood- anxiety disorders. From 2009 to 2013 , 8.7 percent of people with annual incomes below the federal poverty line reported experiencing “serious psychological distress,” compared with the lower levels of psychological distress reported by individuals with higher annual incomes.

Mental illness has also been linked to social conditions like discrimination , which can undermine the health of often-targeted groups, like immigrants , racial minorities , and the LGBT population. For example, state laws allowing businesses to discriminate against same-sex couples have been linked with a 46-percent increase in mental distress among this group. And, when mental illness does strike, racial and ethnic disparities in care access can prevent members of marginalized communities from receiving treatment. These realities suggest the importance of addressing mental health not just at the level of treatment, but by engaging with the broader socioeconomic forces that do so much to shape our lives.

Early childhood is a critical time for preventing mental illness.

Mental illness tends to have an earlier onset than other chronic conditions, and the burden of mental illness falls heavily on the young. As of 2011 , up to 50 percent of children and adolescents living in the U.S. met diagnostic criteria for at least one mental health disorder before reaching age 18.

It is important to note that if mental illness is not treated early, it can increase the risk of other disorders throughout life. People with mental illnesses tend to have higher mortality rates than people without them, which can be linked to co-occurring physical challenges, like heart disease, diabetes, and HIV. Mental disorders also drive mortality risk through their link to suicide , which claims over 800,000 lives around the world each year. The lifelong threat of mental illnesses points to the importance of addressing these diseases early, while the brain is still developing and interventions stand a better chance of taking hold. This means creating the conditions for health before a child even leaves the womb. Prenatal substance use can lead to low, and very-low, birth weight or premature birth, potentially harming mental health. Very-low birth weight (less than three pounds.) has been linked with an up to 4.5 times higher risk of psychiatric problems, and low birth weight (less than five pounds.) has been linked with a 2.5 times greater risk of adult psychiatric problems. Exposure to toxic substances in early life, such as lead , can also threaten mental health—higher blood lead levels have been associated with a higher risk of major depressive disorder and panic disorder in young adults. By preventing these hazardous childhood exposures, we could do much to improve mental health.

If we break an arm or develop an infectious disease, it will be difficult for anyone to mistake our condition for good health. If, however, we struggle with mental illness—such as depression, anxiety, or post- traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD )—it is possible that our disease will present few outward symptoms. At the same time, the stigma that is still too-often attached to mental illness can make those who develop a disorder less likely to seek the help they need. Given these challenges, and the reasons I have listed, it is critical that we address mental health with as much energy and insight as we apply to physical concerns. Our health deserves nothing less.

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Sandro Galea, M.D., is the Robert A. Knox professor and dean of the Boston University School of Public Health

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Essay on Mental Health

According to WHO, there is no single 'official' definition of mental health. Mental health refers to a person's psychological, emotional, and social well-being; it influences what they feel and how they think, and behave. The state of cognitive and behavioural well-being is referred to as mental health. The term 'mental health' is also used to refer to the absence of mental disease. 

Mental health means keeping our minds healthy. Mankind generally is more focused on keeping their physical body healthy. People tend to ignore the state of their minds. Human superiority over other animals lies in his superior mind. Man has been able to control life due to his highly developed brain. So, it becomes very important for a man to keep both his body and mind fit and healthy. Both physical and mental health are equally important for better performance and results.

Importance of Mental Health 

An emotionally fit and stable person always feels vibrant and truly alive and can easily manage emotionally difficult situations. To be emotionally strong, one has to be physically fit too. Although mental health is a personal issue, what affects one person may or may not affect another; yet, several key elements lead to mental health issues.

Many emotional factors have a significant effect on our fitness level like depression, aggression, negative thinking, frustration, and fear, etc. A physically fit person is always in a good mood and can easily cope up with situations of distress and depression resulting in regular training contributing to a good physical fitness standard. 

Mental fitness implies a state of psychological well-being. It denotes having a positive sense of how we feel, think, and act, which improves one’s ability to enjoy life. It contributes to one’s inner ability to be self-determined. It is a proactive, positive term and forsakes negative thoughts that may come to mind. The term mental fitness is increasingly being used by psychologists, mental health practitioners, schools, organisations, and the general population to denote logical thinking, clear comprehension, and reasoning ability.

 Negative Impact of Mental Health

The way we physically fall sick, we can also fall sick mentally. Mental illness is the instability of one’s health, which includes changes in emotion, thinking, and behaviour. Mental illness can be caused due to stress or reaction to a certain incident. It could also arise due to genetic factors, biochemical imbalances, child abuse or trauma, social disadvantage, poor physical health condition, etc. Mental illness is curable. One can seek help from the experts in this particular area or can overcome this illness by positive thinking and changing their lifestyle.

Regular fitness exercises like morning walks, yoga, and meditation have proved to be great medicine for curing mental health. Besides this, it is imperative to have a good diet and enough sleep. A person needs 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night on average. When someone is tired yet still can't sleep, it's a symptom that their mental health is unstable. Overworking oneself can sometimes result in not just physical tiredness but also significant mental exhaustion. As a result, people get insomnia (the inability to fall asleep). Anxiety is another indicator. 

There are many symptoms of mental health issues that differ from person to person and among the different kinds of issues as well. For instance, panic attacks and racing thoughts are common side effects. As a result of this mental strain, a person may experience chest aches and breathing difficulties. Another sign of poor mental health is a lack of focus. It occurs when you have too much going on in your life at once, and you begin to make thoughtless mistakes, resulting in a loss of capacity to focus effectively. Another element is being on edge all of the time.

It's noticeable when you're quickly irritated by minor events or statements, become offended, and argue with your family, friends, or co-workers. It occurs as a result of a build-up of internal irritation. A sense of alienation from your loved ones might have a negative influence on your mental health. It makes you feel lonely and might even put you in a state of despair. You can prevent mental illness by taking care of yourself like calming your mind by listening to soft music, being more social, setting realistic goals for yourself, and taking care of your body. 

Surround yourself with individuals who understand your circumstances and respect you as the unique individual that you are. This practice will assist you in dealing with the sickness successfully.  Improve your mental health knowledge to receive the help you need to deal with the problem. To gain emotional support, connect with other people, family, and friends.  Always remember to be grateful in life.  Pursue a hobby or any other creative activity that you enjoy.

What does Experts say

Many health experts have stated that mental, social, and emotional health is an important part of overall fitness. Physical fitness is a combination of physical, emotional, and mental fitness. Emotional fitness has been recognized as the state in which the mind is capable of staying away from negative thoughts and can focus on creative and constructive tasks. 

He should not overreact to situations. He should not get upset or disturbed by setbacks, which are parts of life. Those who do so are not emotionally fit though they may be physically strong and healthy. There are no gyms to set this right but yoga, meditation, and reading books, which tell us how to be emotionally strong, help to acquire emotional fitness. 

Stress and depression can lead to a variety of serious health problems, including suicide in extreme situations. Being mentally healthy extends your life by allowing you to experience more joy and happiness. Mental health also improves our ability to think clearly and boosts our self-esteem. We may also connect spiritually with ourselves and serve as role models for others. We'd also be able to serve people without being a mental drain on them. 

Mental sickness is becoming a growing issue in the 21st century. Not everyone receives the help that they need. Even though mental illness is common these days and can affect anyone, there is still a stigma attached to it. People are still reluctant to accept the illness of mind because of this stigma. They feel shame to acknowledge it and seek help from the doctors. It's important to remember that "mental health" and "mental sickness" are not interchangeable.

Mental health and mental illness are inextricably linked. Individuals with good mental health can develop mental illness, while those with no mental disease can have poor mental health. Mental illness does not imply that someone is insane, and it is not anything to be embarrassed by. Our society's perception of mental disease or disorder must shift. Mental health cannot be separated from physical health. They both are equally important for a person. 

Our society needs to change its perception of mental illness or disorder. People have to remove the stigma attached to this illness and educate themselves about it. Only about 20% of adolescents and children with diagnosable mental health issues receive the therapy they need. 

According to research conducted on adults, mental illness affects 19% of the adult population. Nearly one in every five children and adolescents on the globe has a mental illness. Depression, which affects 246 million people worldwide, is one of the leading causes of disability. If  mental illness is not treated at the correct time then the consequences can be grave.

One of the essential roles of school and education is to protect boys’ and girls' mental health as teenagers are at a high risk of mental health issues. It can also impair the proper growth and development of various emotional and social skills in teenagers. Many factors can cause such problems in children. Feelings of inferiority and insecurity are the two key factors that have the greatest impact. As a result, they lose their independence and confidence, which can be avoided by encouraging the children to believe in themselves at all times. 

To make people more aware of mental health, 10th October is observed as World Mental Health. The object of this day is to spread awareness about mental health issues around the world and make all efforts in the support of mental health.

The mind is one of the most powerful organs in the body, regulating the functioning of all other organs. When our minds are unstable, they affect the whole functioning of our bodies. Being both physically and emotionally fit is the key to success in all aspects of life. People should be aware of the consequences of mental illness and must give utmost importance to keeping the mind healthy like the way the physical body is kept healthy. Mental and physical health cannot be separated from each other. And only when both are balanced can we call a person perfectly healthy and well. So, it is crucial for everyone to work towards achieving a balance between mental and physical wellbeing and get the necessary help when either of them falters.

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Mental Health Is Just As Important As Your Physical Health

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and a time for us to prioritize our physical and psychological well-being. Together we can address the stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorders and learn how to take better care of ourselves and each other. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults with anxiety or depressive disorder symptoms rose from 36% to 42% between August 2020 and February 2021. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reported that one in five adults in the U.S. experienced a mental illness, while one in 20 experienced or dealt with a serious mental illness during 2020. Even as more individuals experience mental health and substance use disorder challenges, the vast majority don't seek help because of the stigma.

"Mental health and mental illness impact nearly every family, yet stigma still causes so much shame, fear, doubt, isolation and misunderstanding. The shame caused by stigma keeps people from seeking treatment so richly needed and deserved." Dave Eldredge, MSW, LCSW, Senior Director of Clinical Operations at HMHI

When we treat mental health and substance use disorders as choices that can be controlled rather than as medical conditions that can be managed and treated, we isolate those suffering and create an atmosphere of blame and shame.

The ambient feeling of guilt around mental health issues can cause those suffering to avoid seeking professional help or even seeking comfort and understanding from their peers and loved ones. Shame or guilt around depression or any other mental health condition is as outdated as thinking you are weak or flawed for needing to wear glasses.

Unlike other physical illnesses, mental illnesses start in the brain. The brain is the least understood organ in our bodies, but just like any other organ, our brain experiences changes, healing, and injury based on life experiences. Mental illnesses can impact the rest of your body. Poor brain health can cause headaches, stomach aches, insomnia, and lead to more serious physical health issues. A healthy mind is an inherent part of a healthy body. We must move past the existing stigma and see physical and mental health equally.

Combatting Mental Health Stigma

Dave Eldredge, MSW, LCSW , senior director of clinical operations at Huntsman Mental Health Institute ,   suggests ways to shift your thinking about mental health and work to combat stigma:

• Find help. If you have a painful toothache, you don't try to "tough it out," so why would you do that with your psychological health? Don't let the fear of being labeled with a mental illness prevent you from seeking help. Finding help through treatment and counseling can be incredibly important. Mental illnesses may be more complex, but they can be treated just like diabetes or high blood pressure.
• Do not let stigma and shame drive you. While stigma can come from others, it very often comes from ourselves as well. It's not a sign of weakness to acknowledge a mental health condition you may be facing. In fact, it's a sign of strength.
• Spend time with friends and loved ones. If you have a mental health concern, you may be reluctant to tell others about it. Being honest and open with those you care about can be one of the best ways to make sure you do not have to suffer alone. Talking openly about your mental health may also inspire others to seek help.
• Speak out against stigma. When the option presents itself, speak out against mental health stigma when you see it. Politely remind others that treatment for a mental health condition is just as important as getting treatment for a physical health condition.

As we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month , we must remember that mental health is simply an aspect of one's overall physical health. Let's continue to help each other by talking openly and honestly about mental health and doing everything we can to normalize mental health and eliminate stigma.

"Until we start to view mental illness as an illness that impacts your brain the same way we view an illness that affects your heart or your kidneys, we'll continue to face the devastating consequences caused by stigma," Eldredge says.

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Personal Health

The Devastating Ways Depression and Anxiety Impact the Body

Mind and body form a two-way street.

By Jane E. Brody

It’s no surprise that when a person gets a diagnosis of heart disease, cancer or some other life-limiting or life-threatening physical ailment, they become anxious or depressed. But the reverse can also be true: Undue anxiety or depression can foster the development of a serious physical disease, and even impede the ability to withstand or recover from one. The potential consequences are particularly timely, as the ongoing stress and disruptions of the pandemic continue to take a toll on mental health .

The human organism does not recognize the medical profession’s artificial separation of mental and physical ills. Rather, mind and body form a two-way street. What happens inside a person’s head can have damaging effects throughout the body, as well as the other way around. An untreated mental illness can significantly increase the risk of becoming physically ill, and physical disorders may result in behaviors that make mental conditions worse.

In studies that tracked how patients with breast cancer fared, for example, Dr. David Spiegel and his colleagues at Stanford University School of Medicine showed decades ago that women whose depression was easing lived longer than those whose depression was getting worse. His research and other studies have clearly shown that “the brain is intimately connected to the body and the body to the brain,” Dr. Spiegel said in an interview. “The body tends to react to mental stress as if it was a physical stress.”

Despite such evidence, he and other experts say, chronic emotional distress is too often overlooked by doctors. Commonly, a physician will prescribe a therapy for physical ailments like heart disease or diabetes, only to wonder why some patients get worse instead of better.

Many people are reluctant to seek treatment for emotional ills. Some people with anxiety or depression may fear being stigmatized, even if they recognize they have a serious psychological problem. Many attempt to self-treat their emotional distress by adopting behaviors like drinking too much or abusing drugs, which only adds insult to their pre-existing injury.

And sometimes, family and friends inadvertently reinforce a person’s denial of mental distress by labeling it as “that’s just the way he is” and do nothing to encourage them to seek professional help.

How common are anxiety and depression?

Anxiety disorders affect nearly 20 percent of American adults . That means millions are beset by an overabundance of the fight-or-flight response that primes the body for action. When you’re stressed, the brain responds by prompting the release of cortisol, nature’s built-in alarm system. It evolved to help animals facing physical threats by increasing respiration, raising the heart rate and redirecting blood flow from abdominal organs to muscles that assist in confronting or escaping danger.

These protective actions stem from the neurotransmitters epinephrine and norepinephrine, which stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and put the body on high alert. But when they are invoked too often and indiscriminately, the chronic overstimulation can result in all manner of physical ills, including digestive symptoms like indigestion, cramps, diarrhea or constipation, and an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

Depression, while less common than chronic anxiety, can have even more devastating effects on physical health. While it’s normal to feel depressed from time to time, more than 6 percent of adults have such persistent feelings of depression that it disrupts personal relationships, interferes with work and play, and impairs their ability to cope with the challenges of daily life. Persistent depression can also exacerbate a person’s perception of pain and increase their chances of developing chronic pain.

“Depression diminishes a person’s capacity to analyze and respond rationally to stress,” Dr. Spiegel said. “They end up on a vicious cycle with limited capacity to get out of a negative mental state.”

Potentially making matters worse, undue anxiety and depression often coexist, leaving people vulnerable to a panoply of physical ailments and an inability to adopt and stick with needed therapy.

A study of 1,204 elderly Korean men and women initially evaluated for depression and anxiety found that two years later, these emotional disorders increased their risk of physical disorders and disability. Anxiety alone was linked with heart disease, depression alone was linked with asthma, and the two together were linked with eyesight problems, persistent cough, asthma, hypertension, heart disease and gastrointestinal problems.

Treatment can counter emotional tolls

Although persistent anxiety and depression are highly treatable with medications, cognitive behavioral therapy and talk therapy, without treatment these conditions tend to get worse. According to Dr. John Frownfelter, treatment for any condition works better when doctors understand “the pressures patients face that affect their behavior and result in clinical harm.”

Dr. Frownfelter is an internist and chief medical officer of a start-up called Jvion. The organization uses artificial intelligence to identify not just medical factors but psychological, social and behavioral ones as well that can impact the effectiveness of treatment on patients’ health. Its aim is to foster more holistic approaches to treatment that address the whole patient, body and mind combined.

The analyses used by Jvion, a Hindi word meaning life-giving, could alert a doctor when underlying depression might be hindering the effectiveness of prescribed treatments for another condition. For example, patients being treated for diabetes who are feeling hopeless may fail to improve because they take their prescribed medication only sporadically and don’t follow a proper diet, Dr. Frownfelter said.

“We often talk about depression as a complication of chronic illness,” Dr. Frownfelter wrote in Medpage Today in July . “But what we don’t talk about enough is how depression can lead to chronic disease. Patients with depression may not have the motivation to exercise regularly or cook healthy meals. Many also have trouble getting adequate sleep.”

Some changes to medical care during the pandemic have greatly increased patient access to depression and anxiety treatment. The expansion of telehealth has enabled patients to access treatment by psychotherapists who may be as far as a continent away.

Patients may also be able to treat themselves without the direct help of a therapist. For example, Dr. Spiegel and his co-workers created an app called Reveri that teaches people self-hypnosis techniques designed to help reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, reduce pain and suppress or quit smoking.

Improving sleep is especially helpful, Dr. Spiegel said, because “it enhances a person’s ability to regulate the stress response system and not get stuck in a mental rut.” Data demonstrating the effectiveness of the Reveri app has been collected but not yet published, he said.

Jane Brody is the Personal Health columnist, a position she has held since 1976. She has written more than a dozen books including the best sellers “Jane Brody’s Nutrition Book” and “Jane Brody’s Good Food Book.” More about Jane E. Brody

Jane Brody’s Personal Health Advice

After joining the new york times in 1965, she was its personal health columnist from 1976 to 2022. revisit some of her most memorable writing:.

Brody’s first column, on jogging , ran on Nov. 10, 1976. Her last, on Feb. 21. In it, she highlighted the evolution of health advice  throughout her career.

Personal Health has often offered useful advice and a refreshing perspective. Declutter? This is why you must . Cup of coffee? Yes, please.

As a columnist, she has never been afraid to try out, and write about, new things — from intermittent fasting  to knitting groups .

How do you put into words the pain of losing a spouse of 43 years? It is “nothing like losing a parent,” she wrote of her own experience with grieving .

Need advice on aging? She has explored how to do it gracefully ,  building muscle strength  and knee replacements .

Physical Activity Is Good for the Mind and the Body

Health and Well-Being Matter is the monthly blog of the Director of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

Everyone has their own way to “recharge” their sense of well-being — something that makes them feel good physically, emotionally, and spiritually even if they aren’t consciously aware of it. Personally, I know that few things can improve my day as quickly as a walk around the block or even just getting up from my desk and doing some push-ups. A hike through the woods is ideal when I can make it happen. But that’s me. It’s not simply that I enjoy these activities but also that they literally make me feel better and clear my mind.

Mental health and physical health are closely connected. No kidding — what’s good for the body is often good for the mind. Knowing what you can do physically that has this effect for you will change your day and your life.

Physical activity has many well-established mental health benefits. These are published in the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and include improved brain health and cognitive function (the ability to think, if you will), a reduced risk of anxiety and depression, and improved sleep and overall quality of life. Although not a cure-all, increasing physical activity directly contributes to improved mental health and better overall health and well-being.

Learning how to routinely manage stress and getting screened for depression are simply good prevention practices. Awareness is especially critical at this time of year when disruptions to healthy habits and choices can be more likely and more jarring. Shorter days and colder temperatures have a way of interrupting routines — as do the holidays, with both their joys and their stresses. When the plentiful sunshine and clear skies of temperate months give way to unpredictable weather, less daylight, and festive gatherings, it may happen unconsciously or seem natural to be distracted from being as physically active. However, that tendency is precisely why it’s so important that we are ever more mindful of our physical and emotional health — and how we can maintain both — during this time of year.

Roughly half of all people in the United States will be diagnosed with a mental health disorder at some point in their lifetime, with anxiety and anxiety disorders being the most common. Major depression, another of the most common mental health disorders, is also a leading cause of disability for middle-aged adults. Compounding all of this, mental health disorders like depression and anxiety can affect people’s ability to take part in health-promoting behaviors, including physical activity. In addition, physical health problems can contribute to mental health problems and make it harder for people to get treatment for mental health disorders.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the need to take care of our physical and emotional health to light even more so these past 2 years. Recently, the U.S. Surgeon General highlighted how the pandemic has exacerbated the mental health crisis in youth .

The good news is that even small amounts of physical activity can immediately reduce symptoms of anxiety in adults and older adults. Depression has also shown to be responsive to physical activity. Research suggests that increased physical activity, of any kind, can improve depression symptoms experienced by people across the lifespan. Engaging in regular physical activity has also been shown to reduce the risk of developing depression in children and adults.

Though the seasons and our life circumstances may change, our basic needs do not. Just as we shift from shorts to coats or fresh summer fruits and vegetables to heartier fall food choices, so too must we shift our seasonal approach to how we stay physically active. Some of that is simply adapting to conditions: bundling up for a walk, wearing the appropriate shoes, or playing in the snow with the kids instead of playing soccer in the grass.

Sometimes there’s a bit more creativity involved. Often this means finding ways to simplify activity or make it more accessible. For example, it may not be possible to get to the gym or even take a walk due to weather or any number of reasons. In those instances, other options include adding new types of movement — such as impromptu dance parties at home — or doing a few household chores (yes, it all counts as physical activity).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I built a makeshift gym in my garage as an alternative to driving back and forth to the gym several miles from home. That has not only saved me time and money but also afforded me the opportunity to get 15 to 45 minutes of muscle-strengthening physical activity in at odd times of the day.

For more ideas on how to get active — on any day — or for help finding the motivation to get started, check out this Move Your Way® video .

The point to remember is that no matter the approach, the Physical Activity Guidelines recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (anything that gets your heart beating faster) each week and at least 2 days per week of muscle-strengthening activity (anything that makes your muscles work harder than usual). Youth need 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day. Preschool-aged children ages 3 to 5 years need to be active throughout the day — with adult caregivers encouraging active play — to enhance growth and development. Striving toward these goals and then continuing to get physical activity, in some shape or form, contributes to better health outcomes both immediately and over the long term.

For youth, sports offer additional avenues to more physical activity and improved mental health. Youth who participate in sports may enjoy psychosocial health benefits beyond the benefits they gain from other forms of leisure-time physical activity. Psychological health benefits include higher levels of perceived competence, confidence, and self-esteem — not to mention the benefits of team building, leadership, and resilience, which are important skills to apply on the field and throughout life. Research has also shown that youth sports participants have a reduced risk of suicide and suicidal thoughts and tendencies. Additionally, team sports participation during adolescence may lead to better mental health outcomes in adulthood (e.g., less anxiety and depression) for people exposed to adverse childhood experiences. In addition to the physical and mental health benefits, sports can be just plain fun.

Physical activity’s implications for significant positive effects on mental health and social well-being are enormous, impacting every facet of life. In fact, because of this national imperative, the presidential executive order that re-established the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition explicitly seeks to “expand national awareness of the importance of mental health as it pertains to physical fitness and nutrition.” While physical activity is not a substitute for mental health treatment when needed and it’s not the answer to certain mental health challenges, it does play a significant role in our emotional and cognitive well-being.

No matter how we choose to be active during the holiday season — or any season — every effort to move counts toward achieving recommended physical activity goals and will have positive impacts on both the mind and the body. Along with preventing diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and the additional risks associated with these comorbidities, physical activity’s positive effect on mental health is yet another important reason to be active and Move Your Way .

As for me… I think it’s time for a walk. Happy and healthy holidays, everyone!

Yours in health, Paul

Paul Reed, MD Rear Admiral, U.S. Public Health Service Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Director, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.

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Physical Exercise and Mental Health, Essay Example

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Introduction

The value of physical exercise to the body cannot be overemphasized. Even though there are many perspectives pertaining to its appropriateness, physical exercise has numerous benefits, which cannot be outweighed by any other mechanism applied to the human body. This research embodies  ananalysis of the usefulness of physical exercise in maintaining mental health. First a reflection of characteristics that constitute physical exercise would be undertaken and second, perspectives of mental health will be outlined in relation to the topic. Finally,ananalysis relating the benefits of physical exercise  to mental will be explored.

Physical exercise

Physical exercise is a concept used to describe any activity the body is allowed to access that helps in maintaining or enhancing a person’s health and well-being.  This includes strategies that provide vitality to organs in the body such the heart, lungs, muscular/ skeletal systems, kidneys, brain. Benefits are immense because this engagement allows athletesto master their skills through maintaining body weight, expiration and inspiration activities along with activating glands to produce perspiration. Perspiring is a significant excretory mechanism, which is often inadequately addressed in modern sciences due to attempts of inhibiting the odor (Hardman &Stensel, 2009).                .

The use of antiperspirants causes glands to limit perspiration production and sabotages the excretory process. Subsequently, many physical disturbances occur due to toxin built up Analysts have also confirmed that engaging in regular physical exercise greatly reduces incidences of heart disease, stroke, postpones aging, heart attacks, stimulating the immune system to function efficiently and reducing incidences of type 2 diabetes (Hardman &Stensel, 2009).

Mental health

Mental health relates to the extent psychological well-being is sustained. Essentially, from a non-scientific perspective mental health is the absencepersonality  disordersand brain dysfunction. When viewedfrom a holistic paradigm mental health includes a person’s ability to enjoy and appreciate the values of life. According to psychologists who investigate the human personality mental health could embrace attainment of lower level needs and reaching the highest self-actualization stage. Therefore, in reality mental health could also encompass one’s ability to appropriately cope with adversity and still remain balanced psychologically((Demyttenaere, Bruffaerts& Posada-Villa, 2004).

Further, World health Organization advances that a subjective wellbeing exists whereby a person’s equilibrium is related to the extent of autonomy is articulated; competence  expressed; intergenerational independence is executed and intellectual self-actualization is achieved. According to WHO, it also encompasses the person’s integration potential. This means a cohesiveability appropriatelyaligning one’s self to people, social and physical environments as well as staying connected. Ultimately, it must be clarified that there are diverse theories infirming mental health characteristics (Demyttenaere et.al, 2004).

The American psychological association has definite guidelines for interpreting and diagnosing mental disorders. However, scientists have admitted that it is difficult determining the extent to which mental health classifications are applicable across cultures and social environments. The primary concern of this discussion is analyzing the extent physical exercise promotes mental health or features of personality development consistent with adequate health mental. My theory relates to the perspective that it does promote mental health(Demyttenaere et.al, 2004).

If physical exercise is expected to enhance bodily functions; prevent disease and promote mental and social well-being, then, its role in mental health must be significant. Analysts have confirmed that it has immense impacts on depression; promotes self-esteem; augments a person’s body appeal, which stimulates physical attraction. Health care providers prescribe physical exercise in many of their health promotion strategies. It is often recognized as the miracle/wonder drug for a number of emotional issues. Therefore, if mental health relates to a person’s self-esteem, emotional equilibrium, physical exercise is then a major source of mental health maintenance.

For example, factors responsible for depression include low self-esteem, obesity, anxiety and stress. Research shows where endorphins are produced when people engage in physical activities. Further, studies reveal that this secretion initiates a response known as the runner high, linked to a euphoria created when physical activity is produced. Endorphin is an effective natural pain reliever and serves as an antidepressant when people experience various degree of the condition (Hardman Stensel, 2009).

Theories relating the release of other substances indicate thatanandamide is also a runner high initiator. Supporting researchconfirmedthatserotonin along with endorphin andanandamide levels are elevated in the blood stream. They remain that way days after physical exercise was experienced. Importantly, these endocrine secretions are responsible for mood stabilization weight management, which often affects mental health and ultimately improves self-esteem(Power, 2010).

It has been proven also that physical exercise alone combined with proper nutrition can maintain excellent mental health. There are more studies confirming successful application of physical exercise in depression prevention therapies. Analysts advanced that physical exercise is most effective on mental health when conducted as a group in gym settings or group walking therapies (Power, 2010).

The foregoing research highlighted perspectives relating the impact of physical exercise on mental health reflecting on differing viewpoints. Viewpoints on this subject differ based on classifications of mental health and physical exercise, which were clarified before an analysis was offered. Ultimately, in my point of view once a line of demarcation is drawn between mental health and mental disorder there is no need to differ regardingwhether physical exercise contributes to mental health. Physical exercise is necessary for the perpetuation of life itself.

Demyttenaere, K.Bruffaerts, R., & Posada-Villa, J. (2004). WHO World Mental Health Survey Consortium. Prevalence, severity, and unmet need for treatment of mental disorders in the World Health Organization World Mental Health Survey. Journal of the American Medical Association . 291 (21); 2581–2590

Hardman, A., &Stensel, D. (2009). Physical Activity and Health: The Evidence Explained. London: Routledge

Power, A. (2010). Transforming the Nation’s Health: Next Steps in Mental Health Promotion. American Journal of Public Health 100 (12); 2343–6.

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Importance of Mental and Physical Health

Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall well-being . The things that we do physically also impact us mentally, and it’s important to be aware of both physical and mental health. In this way, you can achieve overall wellness. The connection between physical health and mental health is more than what you think it is. Taking good care of your physical health is proven to have a positive impact on your mental health and wellbeing. On the other hand, however, if your mental health declines, then your physical health might decline as well.

In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at the importance of physical and mental health, their connection with each other, lifestyle factors, and the benefits and the impact of being physically fit on your mental health.

Why is physical and mental health important?

Having good physical health helps lessen the symptoms of depression; while on the other hand mental health disorders can lead to worse physical health. The intrinsic relationship between physical health and mental health means that staying physically fit and healthy is important. However, some people struggle to maintain good health, for example, the elderly, in healthcare and community service settings.

Living a sedentary lifestyle may also cause serious illnesses such as cancer , even though it can be treated in therapy centres, it is better to prevent than to cure.

Having a healthy lifestyle can help prevent the worsening of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other chronic health problems can also be prevented by having a healthy lifestyle . Stress management, getting enough sleep, staying fit and active, and eating healthy food are important factors to improve your overall physical and mental health.

The connection between physical and mental health

We can always distinguish and differentiate the ‘body’ from the ‘mind’. But when it comes to physical health and mental health, there is a strong intrinsic relationship between the two.

Having poor physical health can lead to a higher risk of developing mental health problems, and having poor mental health can negatively impact our physical health, which leads to a higher risk of chronic conditions.

Lifestyle factors

• Stress. Everyone experiences stress in their lives, but no one likes to be stressed out because of the effects that it can have. Stress is a normal part of our lives. We experience stress when we’re doing things too much or we don’t get enough rest. We also experience stress when we worry about certain things like money, relationships, a friend, or a loved one going through difficult circumstances or struggling with an illness. Knowing how to manage stress can be a change for you, with a positive impact on your physical and mental health. Meditating and reflecting is a good start for managing stress.
• Sleep. Your physical, mental, and emotional health depend on how well you rested. Sleep is essential for having good physical and mental health. It also plays a role in our moods, ability to learn, organ health, in our immune system, and other body functions such as metabolism and hormone release.
• Diet. Diet is connected to the hippocampus, a part of the brain involved in learning, memory, and mental health. The food you intake can have an impact on your overall physical and mental health. Eating nutritious food can have a positive effect on your way towards a healthy lifestyle. Also, emotions like anger, sadness, or joy, your brain can react to signals from your stomach which makes that gut-wrenching feeling at the pit of your stomach. This is also a reason to eat a nutritious and balanced diet so that your stomach and brain can be healthy, and function properly.
• Exercise. Doing physical activity in any form is a good way to keep you physically fit and healthy, and as well as improve your mental health. Research shows that doing physical activity influences the release of the feel-good chemical, or also known as the happy hormone called endorphins. Even gentle forms of exercise such as brisk walking can increase mental alertness, energy, positive mood, and it can significantly improve your quality of life.

Benefits and the impact of being physically fit on your mental health

Being physically active is not just about increasing aerobic capacity and muscle size, but yes, it can improve your physique, trim your waistline, and improve your physical health. That is not the reason why people keep motivated to do physical activity. People exercise because it gives them a sense of well-being, being energetic throughout the day, and medicine for challenging mental health problems.

Exercising regularly can have an extremely positive impact on depression, anxiety, and ADHD . Even the most basic exercise can benefit you big time. No matter the age or fitness level, exercising can be a powerful tool to deal with mental health problems, and improve your overall sense of wellbeing.

Even the elderly can do minimal exercises while using their assistive medical equipment, but having durable home medical equipment must be used to prevent injuries.

Aside from being a medicine for mental health problems, exercising can also sharpen your memory and thinking , boost your self-esteem, get you a good night’s sleep, a boost of energy, and you can have a stronger resilience in your life.

The connection between physical health and mental health is very distinct. However, we must take care of both our physical health and mental health by keeping our bodies healthy and clear our minds from stress. I hope this article has given you information on the importance of physical and mental health, their connection with each other, lifestyle factors, and the benefits and the impact of being physically fit on your mental health.

Ellen Diamond did her degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. She is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.

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The relationship between physical and mental health: an update from the WPA Working Group on Managing Comorbidity of Mental and Physical Health

Andrea fiorillo.

1 Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy

Giovanni de Girolamo

2 Unit of Epidemiological Psychiatry, IRCCS S. Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy

Ivona Filipcic Simunovic

3 Department of Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia

4 Department of Psychiatry, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

Mohan Isaac

5 Division of Psychiatry, University of Western Australia and Fremantle Hospital, Fremantle, Australia

Cathy Lloyd

6 School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, Open University, Milton Keynes, UK

7 Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Vikram Patel

8 Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

Andreas Reif

9 Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany

Elena Starostina

10 Vladimirsky Moscow Regional Research and Clinical Institute, Moscow, Russia

Paul Summergrad

11 Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and Inflammation Program, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

Norman Sartorius

12 Association for the Improvement of Mental Health Programmes, Geneva, Switzerland

Compared with the general population, patients suffering from severe mental disorders have a 10 to 25‐years shorter life expectancy, which requires urgent action from health care professionals and governments worldwide 1 , 2 . The factors associated with this high mortality rate can be grouped into those related to patients themselves, to psychiatrists, to other medical professionals, and to the health care system at large.

Among factors related to the persons with mental disorders, a significant role is played by the presence of comorbid physical illnesses – cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, infectious diseases, cancer and others – all of which are frequently given little attention in ordinary psychiatric prac­tice 3 , 4 .

Among the reasons for the high rates of physical comorbidity and its contribution to mortality of people with mental disorders is the long‐standing separation of psychiatry from other branches of medicine, as well as the lack of attention of several psy­chiatrists to the physical health of their patients 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 . In addition, the collaboration of psy­chiatrists with primary care physicians and other clinicians is often poor, and other health care professionals often have negative attitudes towards people with mental disorders, underestimating the seriousness of their physical complaints.

Recently, several international bodies and associations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the WPA, the European Psychiatric Association, the UK Royal College of Psychiatrists and the UK Royal College of Practitioners, have taken action to improve the management of physical health of people with severe mental disorders. Among these activities, the revision of educational curricula for health care professionals has been proposed 9 . In 2017, the WPA created a Scientific Section on Comorbidity, and in January 2021 it established a Working Group on Managing Comorbidity of Mental and Physical Disorders chaired by N. Sartorius. The group includes experts in the field with different backgrounds from high‐, medium‐ and low‐income countries 10 , 11 , 12 .

This Working Group has been requested: a) to identify areas of promising work related to comorbidity of mental and physical disorders, and to develop recommendations for WPA's involvement in research, education and service development concerning problems related to that comorbidity; b) to identify individuals and centres interested and willing to participate in WPA's program of research and education related to the comorbidity of mental and physical disorders; c) to liaise with other WPA Working Groups, with a view to ensure that problems of comorbidity are considered in the work of those groups; d) to propose the or­ganization of symposia, workshops and oth­er types of meetings addressing problems related to comorbidity of mental and phys­ical disorders; e) to prepare reviews of evidence and drafts of position papers; f) to build up training programs (see https://www.wpanet.org/wg‐on‐comorbidity ).

These tasks are being addressed by: a) the organization of collaborative and inter‐sectional symposia and workshops during the World Congresses of Psychiatry, as well as during WPA Thematic and Regional Meetings; b) the development of a range of recorded lectures, live and recorded webinars, and resource documents; c) support to the development of in‐country capacity in low‐resource settings through the facilitation of high‐impact activities and regional collaborations; d) support to the publication of articles in scientific journals as well as chapters in leading textbooks; e) partnership with national and international agencies such as the WHO, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Wellcome Trust, and the International Initiative for Disability Leadership, among others, in order to obtain funding in support of good clinical practice, research and training with ­relevance to low‐resource countries; f) support to government initiatives, plans and policies as they intersect with the Working Group's remit; g) development of joint initiatives with other WPA Working Groups and Scientific Sections, in the salient areas of public mental health, and child and adolescent mental health; h) providing a selection of evidence‐based interventions appropriate for service delivery platforms in low‐resource regions; i) creating a list of training and resources available to implement relevant interventions.

In March 2022, the Working Group organized a webinar on “Physical illnesses in patients with severe mental disorders: current challenges and practical implications for professionals”, attended by more than 500 health care professionals, trainees in psychiatry and medical students, focusing on the complex interplay between physical and mental disorders. During the 22nd World Congress of Psychiatry, the Working Group organized a course on the same topic, which was very well attended. The topic of comorbidity was also discussed in the main plenary session and in a state‐of‐the‐art symposium of the World Congress.

The Group has developed and made available on the WPA website educational materials on the comorbidity between depressive disorders and diabetes, depression and cancer, and depression and cardiovascular diseases ( www.wpanet.org ).

The Group is currently engaged in the organization of a series of free WPA webinars on comorbidity between mental disorders and infectious diseases (i.e., HIV, tuberculosis, COVID‐19), and has started a collaboration with the International Society of Addiction Medicine, in order to organize educational activities related to the management of addictions and comorbid physical illness in people with severe mental disorders.

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Mental Health vs. Physical Health

This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose California Casualty .   

What do you think of when you hear the word “health”? Most of our brains automatically think physical health — exercising, healthy eating, drinking water, etc. And while physical health does play a large role in keeping our bodies in shape and functioning properly, our mental health is just as important to maintain to achieve a healthy and happy lifestyle.

The link between mental health and physical health is generally misunderstood because the mind and body are considered two separate entities, but oftentimes these two entities need to work together for our own wellbeing. Our mental health can directly affect our physical health and vice versa. Here’s how.

How Mental Health Can Affect Your Physical Health

About 1 in 5 people in the U.S. struggle with their mental health. Symptoms of poor mental health can include negative thinking, low energy levels, change in mood or behavior, isolation, struggling to cope with stress, changing in sleeping or eating patterns, negative self-talk, and feeling sad or depressed.

If you suffer from any of the symptoms above, it does not mean you have a mental illness. Poor mental health becomes a mental health disorder (mental illness) when your symptoms become frequent and start to affect your ability to physically function in daily life. Some common mental illnesses include:

• Schizophrenia
• Eating Disorders
• Bipolar Depression

So, how does your mental health affect your physical health? Don’t be fooled by its name. Your mental health can affect more than just your mind, it can also affect your behavior and your body. Poor mental health will not only impact your body’s ability to make healthy decisions, but it can also increase your risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and other health complications like obesity, weakened immune system, and more.

Studies have found that those who suffer from depression bodies show changes in how they function, which could have a serious impact on their physical health. Those changes include:

• Increased inflammation
• Chronic fatigue
• Changes in the control of heart rate and blood circulation
• Abnormalities in stress hormones
• Metabolic changes such as those seen in people at risk for diabetes

Poor mental health can drain all of your energy and prevent you from working on your physical health, but increasing your activity and working on your physical health can actually improve your mental health.

How Physical Health Can Affect Your Mental Health

Physical health is the state of your physical body and how well it is operating. Ways to maintain your physical health can be broken down into four categories.

• Lifestyle – staying active throughout your day, getting enough sleep, drinking water
• Diet – eating balanced foods that nourish your body
• Hygiene – keeping yourself and your environment clean and kept-up
• Exercise – using and strengthening your body and muscles

Working on your physical fitness and health will not only add years to your life, it can also improve your mood and help prevent mental illness. People who are healthy and active feel more energetic throughout the day, sleep better, feel more relaxed, and think more positively about themselves and life in general. Living a healthy lifestyle and staying physically active reduces your chance of chronic diseases and conditions, like type 2 diabetes, anxiety, depression, heart disease, cancer, and dementia.

Exercise by itself is a powerful medicine for many common mental health challenges. Studies show that it can treat mild to moderate depression as effectively as antidepressants, reduce the symptoms of ADHD,  and work as a treatment for anxiety. That’s because exercising promotes all kinds of changes in the brain, including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and activity patterns that promote feelings of calm and well-being. It also releases the endorphins dopamine and serotonin into your body- which make you feel good and less stressed.

Which Is More Important?

So, which is more important, mental health or physical health? The link between physical and mental health is complex, but the answer is simple your body needs both mental health and physical health to function properly and let you live a happy and healthy life. If you are struggling in one area, you may choose to focus on one over the other and that is okay. Just remember the influence they have on each other and how important it is to keep up with your health both mentally and physically.

Looking for ways to stay healthy and combat stress and anixety? Click here.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, you are not alone . Please reach out to a mental health professional. If you do not feel comfortable speaking to a professional, start by reaching out to a close colleague, family member, or friend.

If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

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Mental Health Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on mental health.

Every year world mental health day is observed on October 10. It was started as an annual activity by the world federation for mental health by deputy secretary-general of UNO at that time. Mental health resources differ significantly from one country to another. While the developed countries in the western world provide mental health programs for all age groups. Also, there are third world countries they struggle to find the basic needs of the families. Thus, it becomes prudent that we are asked to focus on mental health importance for one day. The mental health essay is an insight into the importance of mental health in everyone’s life. 

Mental Health

In the formidable years, this had no specific theme planned. The main aim was to promote and advocate the public on important issues. Also, in the first three years, one of the central activities done to help the day become special was the 2-hour telecast by the US information agency satellite system. 

Mental health is not just a concept that refers to an individual’s psychological and emotional well being. Rather it’s a state of psychological and emotional well being where an individual is able to use their cognitive and emotional capabilities, meet the ordinary demand and functions in the society. According to WHO, there is no single ‘official’ definition of mental health.

Thus, there are many factors like cultural differences, competing professional theories, and subjective assessments that affect how mental health is defined. Also, there are many experts that agree that mental illness and mental health are not antonyms. So, in other words, when the recognized mental disorder is absent, it is not necessarily a sign of mental health. 

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

One way to think about mental health is to look at how effectively and successfully does a person acts. So, there are factors such as feeling competent, capable, able to handle the normal stress levels, maintaining satisfying relationships and also leading an independent life. Also, this includes recovering from difficult situations and being able to bounce back.  

Important Benefits of Good Mental Health

Mental health is related to the personality as a whole of that person. Thus, the most important function of school and education is to safeguard the mental health of boys and girls. Physical fitness is not the only measure of good health alone. Rather it’s just a means of promoting mental as well as moral health of the child. The two main factors that affect the most are feeling of inferiority and insecurity. Thus, it affects the child the most. So, they lose self-initiative and confidence. This should be avoided and children should be constantly encouraged to believe in themselves.

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Mental and Physical Health in College Students Essay (Article)

The transition period from high school and college can be quite challenging for students. During this time, individuals are still trying to establish their identity; thus, making them extremely vulnerable to unhealthy peer influences. Correspondingly, this stage attracts numerous mental and physical health challenges that may hinder full integration into college life (Downs & Ashton 278). Against this background, Andrew Downs and Jennifer Ashton argue that, encouraging students to participate in vigorous physical activity can aid in alleviating these detrimental problems.

Downs and Ashton (pp. 228-229) begin by acknowledging preceding literature to support their hypothesis that college life increases an individual’s risk of developing mental and physical health problems. College life escalates the risk of developing depressive symptoms, anxiety disorders and other mental disorders (228). Moreover, college students are prone to numerous physical health problems such as obesity, binge drinking, and unsafe sex practices. Furthermore, Downs and Ashton (229) also explore the link between physical activity and the promotion of mental/physical health well being of an individual.

On this note, I do agree with the fact that, physical fitness promotes good feeling in an individual. Personally, I have witnessed obese students in college who become stressed because of their appearance. Although Downs and Ashton do not explore the relationship between obesity and physical exercise, their insightful of the positive benefits of physical exercise is quite adequate.

Furthermore, they underscore that physical activity reduces the risk of developing some chronic diseases such as cardiovascular problems, diabetes, and cancer. However, in spite of the fact that physical activity promotes physical and mental well being of an individual, college students are rarely engaged in this significant act (Downs & Ashton 231). The authors also underscore that most college students rarely take part in any form of physical activity (232). Through my own personal experience and also via observation, I tend to concur with the authors that college students rarely engage in vigorous physical activity.

However, what have always bewildered me are the reasons behind this decline. On this note, Downs and Aston article answers this significant question. To begin with, they underscore that college students rarely engage in sporting activities. As a result, their vigorous physical activity levels are greatly reduced (235).

Apparently, sporting events encourage participation in vigorous physical activity, thus the declining interest among students is quite distressing. Secondly, the authors exposed that participation in vigorous physical activity was influenced by an individual’s perception about the significance of the same to his/her life. Most importantly, the perception of self either promoted or hindered physical activity in such a way that if a student perceived him/herself as a budding athlete, they were likely to take part in sports and vice versa.

Against this backdrop, this article is extremely relevant to physical education educators. This is because, by understanding the inhibiting factors associated with reduced vigorous physical activity among college students, they can come up with effective strategies to modify this behavior. To begin with, physical educators might carry out sensitization campaigns aimed at encouraging sports participation among college students. By doing so, the numerous mental and physical problems among college students might be eliminated entirely.

In a nutshell, the importance of physical exercise cannot be overemphasized. Most importantly, encouraging participation in sporting activities among college students will promote their physical and mental well being.

Works Cited

Downs, Andrew & Ashton, Jennifer. (2011). “Vigorous Physical Activity, Sports Participation, and Athletic Identity: Implications for Mental and Physical Health in College Students”. Journal of Sport Behavior 34. 3 (2011): 228-249.

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100+ argumentative essay topics on mental health | example & outline, bob cardens.

• September 2, 2022
• Essay Topics and Ideas

Argumentative Essay Topics on Mental Health. Mental health is an important and often overlooked topic. In this article, we’ll explore some argumentative essay topics related to mental health .

As you continue,  thestudycorp.com  has the top and most qualified writers to help with any of your assignments. All you need to do is  place an order  with us.

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Argumentative Essay Topics about Mental Health

1. Is there a connection between mental health and physical health? 2. How does mental illness affect a person’s ability to function in society? 3. What are the most effective treatments for mental illness? 4. Are there any effective prevention strategies for mental illness? 5. What is the relationship between mental health and substance abuse? 6. How does poverty affect mental health? 7. What are the most common mental disorders? 8. What are the consequences of untreated mental illness? 9. What are the risk factors for developing mental illness? 10. How can mental illness be effectively diagnosed?

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Argumentative essay topics about depression

1. Depression is a real mental health condition.

2. Depression is more than just feeling sad.

3. Depression can lead to serious physical health problems.

4. Depression is treatable with medication and therapy.

5. People with depression can lead happy, fulfilling lives.

6. Untreated depression can be deadly.

7. Depression is often misunderstood and stigmatized.

8. Depression is not a sign of weakness or a character flaw.

9. Anyone can develop depression, even people who seem to have it all together.

10. There is no single cause of depression, but there are risk factors that can make someone more likely to develop the condition.

Argumentative Essay Topics on Mental Health. Mental health is an important and often overlooked topic. In this article, we’ll explore some argumentative essay topics related to mental health.

Argumentative essay about mental health in schools

1. Mental health should be taught in schools. 2. There should be more support for mental health in schools. 3. Mental health should be taken more seriously in schools. 4. Schools should do more to prevent mental health problems. 5. Schools should do more to help students with mental health problems. 6. Mental health problems are increasing in schools. 7. school counselors are not trained to deal with mental health issues 8. most school don’t have a mental health policy 9. lack of awareness about mental health among school staff 10. stigma and discrimination against mental health patients

Argumentative essay on mental health stigma

Argumentative essay topics about mental health can be very controversial and sensitive. However, there are many people who are open to discussing these topics and raising awareness about mental health. Here are twenty argumentative essay topics about mental health that you can use for your next essay.

1. How does society view mental health? 2. Do we need to break the stigma around mental health? 3. How can we better support those with mental health conditions? 4. What is the link between mental health and addiction? 5. How does trauma affect mental health? 6. What are the most effective treatments for mental health conditions? 7. Are there any natural remedies for mental health conditions? 8. How does diet affect mental health? 9. How does exercise affect mental health? 10. What is the link between sleep and mental health? 11. What are the warning signs of a mental health condition? 12. When should someone seek professional help for a mental health condition? 13. How can family and friends support someone with a mental health condition? 14. What are the most common myths about mental health? 15. How does stigma impact those with mental health conditions?

16. How can we destigmatize mental health? 17. What is the link between mental health and violence? 18. How does mental health affect overall health? 19. What are the most common mental health disorders? 20. What are the most effective treatments for mental health disorders?

Mental health debate topics for students

1. The definition of mental health 2. The different types of mental illness 3. The causes of mental illness 4. The treatments for mental illness 5. The side effects of mental illness 6. The impact of mental illness on society 7. The cost of mental health care 8. Mental health in the workplace 9. Mental health in the media 10. Stigma and discrimination against those with mental illness 11. The impact of trauma on mental health 12. Mental health during pregnancy and postpartum 13. Children’s mental health 14. Geriatric mental health 15. Global perspectives on mental health 16. Religion and mental health 17. Cultural competence in mental health care 18. Social media and mental health 19.Nutrition and mental health

20. Exercise and mental health

Expository essay topics about mental illness

1. How does mental illness affect one’s ability to work? 2. What are the most common types of mental illness? 3. How can mental illness be prevented? 4. What are the most effective treatments for mental illness? 5. How does mental illness impact relationships? 6. What are the financial costs of mental illness? 7. How does stigma affect those with mental illness? 8. What are the most common myths about mental illness? 9. How does mental illness differ from addiction? 10. What are the early warning signs of mental illness?

Debates about mental health

1. The definition of mental health is contested and argued by professionals in the field. 2. Some people argue that mental health is a social construction, while others believe that it is a real and valid medical condition. 3. Mental health is often stigmatized in society, and those who suffer from mental illness are often seen as weak or crazy. 4. Mental health is often viewed as something that can be cured, when in reality it is a lifelong battle for many people. 5. Mental illness is often seen as an individual responsibility to deal with, when in reality it affects not just the individual but also their families and loved ones. 6. It is often said that people with mental illness are not able to function in society, when in fact many people with mental illness are high-functioning individuals. 7. Mental health is often viewed as an all-or-nothing proposition, when in reality there is a spectrum of mental health conditions that range from mild to severe. 8. People with mental illness are often treated differently than other people, and they are often discriminated against. 9. There is a lot of misinformation about mental health, and this leads tomisunderstanding and fear. 10. Mental health is a complex issue, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution to addressing it.

Persuasive topics related to mental health

1. The link between mental health and physical health. 2. The benefits of therapy and counseling. 3. The importance of early intervention for mental health issues. 4. The impact of trauma on mental health. 5. The correlation between mental health and substance abuse. 6. The connection between mental health and chronic illness. 7. The relationship between mental health and chronic pain. 8. Mental health in the workplace. 9. Mental health in the military. 10. Mental health in schools. 11. Children’s mental health issues. 12. Teens and mental health issues. 13. Elderly mental health issues. 14. Cultural issues and mental health. 15. Religion and mental health. 16. The stigma of mental illness. 17. Mental health awareness and education. 18. Mental health advocacy. 19. Funding for mental health services. 20. Access to mental health care.

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The interface of physical and mental health

• Invited Reviews
• Published: 22 February 2014
• Volume 49 , pages 673–682, ( 2014 )

Cite this article

• Anne M. Doherty 1 &
• Fiona Gaughran 2  

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The interaction between physical and mental health is complex. In this paper we aim to provide an overview of the main components of this relationship and to identify how care could be improved for people with co-morbidities.

We performed a literature search of MedLine, Ovid and Psycinfo and identified studies that examined the association between mental illness and physical illness. We also examined the key policy documents and guidelines in this area.

People with mental health conditions are at higher risk of developing physical illness, have those conditions diagnosed later and have much higher mortality rates. Conversely, people with a diagnosis of physical illness, especially cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer have a greater chance of developing a mental health problem. When both mental and physical illnesses conditions are present together, there are higher overall rates of morbidity, healthcare utilisation, and poorer quality of life.

Conclusions

Physicians and psychiatrists need to be aware of the co-occurrence of mental and physical health problems and the challenges posed for both general and mental health services. There is a need to screen appropriately in both settings to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment. Liaison psychiatry provides psychological assessment and treatment for people with physical illness, but there is a gap in the provision of physical healthcare for people with severe mental illness. There is a need for public policy to drive this forward to overcome the institutional barriers to equitable access to healthcare and for educators to reverse the tendency to teach mind and body as separate systems.

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Introduction

The mind and the body have long been seen as separate when planning health services. In recent years, this position is softening, largely due to the emergence of the sub-speciality of liaison psychiatry in the past 20 years and the more recent development of integrated models of integrated and collaborative care to address both mental and physical health problems. Having both a physical and a mental health condition, however, still results in more complicated treatments and poorer outcomes than having either problem alone.

Mental health problems are common: as many as one in four individuals experience a mental health problem during their lifetimes. Mental health and neurological problems account for 22 and 17 % of the total burden of disease burden, respectively, in men and women in the WHO European region, second only to cardiovascular disease [ 1 ]. Therefore at least by chance many people with a physical illness also have a mental health problem.

But this is not an effect of chance alone: prevalence rates of common mental disorders such as depression are even higher in people suffering physical ill health [ 2 ], especially for certain long-term conditions including diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiovascular disease [ 3 – 6 ]. It is clear that the presence of a psychiatric co-morbidity in these conditions increases disease burden further with not just a cumulative effect on loss of function, but also increasing utilisation of healthcare resources [ 7 , 8 ]. The presence of depression in addition to a physical condition increases the rates of death from any cause [ 9 – 12 ], particularly in older adults [ 13 ].

Reciprocally, a growing body of evidence indicates that people with enduring mental health problems have a greatly additional risk of developing physical health problems. The figures for premature mortality in people with severe mental illness are quite startling, with a diagnosis of schizophrenia conferring a two decade drop in life expectancy [ 14 ], while rates of metabolic syndrome run at approximately 32 % [ 15 ].

Mental health problems complicate strategies for the prevention and management of medical illnesses [ 16 ]. However, effective treatment of conditions such as depression has a positive effect on physical functioning and reduces morbidity and mortality [ 17 , 18 ]. Likewise, the presence of a medical co-morbidity makes it more complicated to treat a mental illness, limiting both pharmacological and psychosocial options.

In this paper we aim to provide an overview of the complex relationship between mental and physical health and to identify how care could be improved for people with these co-morbidities.

As the interface between mental and physical health is a broad topic, we chose two specific conditions in each area: depression and psychosis for mental health and diabetes and cardiovascular disease for physical health. We selected these conditions based on their prevalence and on the significant clinical effect on health and on mortality. We conducted a search of the literature in MedLine, Ovid and Psycinfo using the search terms: ‘depression’, ‘psychosis’ with ‘physical health’; and ‘cardiovascular disease’ and ‘diabetes’ with ‘mental health’. We excluded those papers not written in English and selected those papers which were either epidemiological studies or systematic reviews or meta-analyses and then proceeded to examine the references of these articles. We also identified the key policy documents in these areas.

Our literature search yielded 323 articles, from which we identified 92 suitable for inclusion; 54 were not in English and the remainder did not meet our criteria for study type. It was not possible to conduct a meta-analysis as the scope of this article was too broad.

Physical illness in severe mental illness (SMI)

People living with mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and even anxiety disorders have worse levels of physical health, in particular cardiovascular disease, and a shorter life expectancy than the general population [ 19 – 22 ]. To develop physical morbidity on top of a mental health problem, especially if it results in additional fatigue, sensory disability or mobility impairment, may make it even more challenging for people to participate in education, training or employment, or in looking after their families, thus adding to social isolation. In a circular fashion, the indirect effects of physical morbidity may adversely affect mental health, further magnifying physical disability.

Many factors may contribute to health inequalities in SMI including social factors (poverty and social exclusion), genetics, lifestyle choices, treatment effects, and, importantly, practical difficulties in access to care and health promotion [ 23 ].

Psychotic illness

The life-time prevalence of psychotic disorders has been estimated as 3 % [ 24 ]. The impact of a diagnosis of psychosis on one’s physical health has recently been the subject of research––people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia may die up to 18 years earlier than the general population [ 19 , 25 ]. Over 60 % of this excess mortality is due to poor physical health, with cardiovascular disease the most common cause of death. In addition to a severely shortened life expectancy, the quality of life of people with severe mental illness is often also impaired by poor physical health. People with psychotic illness are more likely to be overweight, to smoke and to have cardiovascular risk factors including diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia [ 26 ]. Adding to the morbidity burden are poor oral health, increased risks of osteoporosis and sexual dysfunction [ 27 ].

Inequity is evident: people with schizophrenia have not benefited from the increased general longevity across the developed world, and the gap in mortality rates compared to the general population has risen steadily over the last half-decade. For example in Sweden, despite provision of high quality health care systems, the risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease for men with SMI increased almost fivefold and for women almost threefold in 20 years [ 28 ].

The mortality risk is even more pronounced in the younger age groups; a large community-based English study of people with SMI reported elevated mortality risks from cardiovascular disease for those aged 18–49 and 50–75 years of 300 and 200 %, respectively [ 29 ]. These findings have been replicated in other studies, and persist even when confounding factors, for example smoking and socio-economic deprivation, are controlled for [ 30 , 31 ]. People with psychotic illness carry an overall increased risk of cardiac death twice that of the general population [ 21 , 32 ].

This excess risk has some obvious––and reversible––causes; risk factors such as insulin resistance, abdominal obesity, hypertension and lipid dysregulation, previously clustered under the term ‘metabolic syndrome’ [ 33 ], are much more common in SMI [ 34 ]. Critically, about two-thirds of people with SMI smoke [ 34 , 35 ], while general population smoking rates have now dropped below 20 % [ 36 ]. Smoking is the greatest predictor of early death in schizophrenia––a recent 11-year follow-up study of mortality in schizophrenia in the USA found an SMR of 2.80 (95 %CI 0.89, 6.38) overall but that those participants who smoked cigarettes at baseline were almost five times more likely than the non-smokers to die of natural causes during the observation period [ 37 ]. Reducing smoking rates and addressing the causes and preventing its onset of metabolic syndrome could thus reduce the rates of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in SMI. Incorporating lifestyle interventions as part of routine management will also improve health outcomes, with a NNT of 3–4 [ 38 ].

The World Health Organisation (WHO) ranks depression as one of the most significant challenges of the 21st century, because of its effect on disability and loss of function; it is the third leading cause of burden of disease worldwide, as measured by disease adjusted life years (DALY) [ 1 ]. It already carries the heaviest disease burden in the Americas, and is projected to be the top worldwide by 2030. Lifetime prevalence rates from major epidemiological studies are as high as 18–30 % [ 39 – 41 ]. But this common mental disorder also has a marked effect on general health and longevity. People with depression have almost double the risk of dying compared to the general population [ 42 , 43 ]. This excess mortality risk is similar to that seen in smokers compared to the non-smokers [ 44 ].

Affective disorders are a cardiovascular risk factor in their own right with an increased risk of a cardiovascular event of up to 150 % compared to the general population, again comparable to the excess risk conferred by smoking or diabetes [ 45 , 46 ]. People with depression are also 60 % more likely to develop diabetes than their non-depressed counterparts [ 47 ]. A systematic review of all English language articles over a 38-year period reported that the prevalence of diabetes in people with bipolar disorders was up to three times greater than in the general population [ 34 ]. People with major depression have a significantly greater risk of arthritis, hypertension and peptic ulcer disease compared to the general population [ 47 ].

Despite many frontline clinicians being familiar with depression, mood can also impede early diagnosis of medical problems; Desai et al. [ 48 ] suggested an association between depression and increased chance of an advanced rather than early cancer diagnosis, with repercussions for prognosis. Although the incidence of cancer in both depression and psychosis is similar to the general population, the mortality rate is over 30 % higher [ 12 , 49 ].

Pharmacological treatment and medical management

Pharmacological therapies are an important element of treatment received by people with mental health problems. The effectiveness of such therapies and their side effect profiles continue to improve. However, the frequency and severity of side effects needs to be actively managed, jointly with the patient and their families. Many psychotropic medications, including anti-depressants and anti-psychotics, produce adverse effects as sexual dysfunction and weight gain [ 50 ]. In the case of refractory psychoses, the most effective drug, clozapine has a very high rate of metabolic side effects [ 51 – 54 ]––however, a large population wide study of mortality in Finland demonstrated that of the people with schizophrenia, those on clozapine lived longest (with especially strong reductions in suicide rates), consistent with clinical observations that effective treatment of mental illness improves one’s ability to manage both physical and mental health [ 19 ].

In recent years the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions has been confirmed in either delaying the emergence of or reversing cardiovascular risk factors in people treated with anti-psychotics [ 38 , 55 ]. A number of pharmacological strategies have also been trialled, including the use of metformin to effect weight loss on anti-psychotics [ 56 ], and the addition of aripiprazole to clozapine to promote metabolic health, as it reduces weight and improves lipid profiles [ 57 ].

Psychological problems in physical illness

The importance of identifying and managing mental health problems in those with physical health conditions is well established and the cost-effectiveness of liaison psychiatry services confirmed [ 58 ]. Many textbooks have been written on consultation and liaison psychiatry and we will only give some examples of its application here. Depression, in particular, is common in patients who have poor physical health, particularly when they have experienced a recent major diagnosis or life-threatening event [ 59 ].

The diagnosis of major depression in people with chronic ill-health may however be complex, as frequently the somatic symptoms of depression are masked by symptoms attributable to the physical condition [ 60 , 61 ]. For example, in diabetes, somatic symptoms of anergia and insomnia may be attributed to a rumbling hyperglycaemia. And indeed many general and specialist physicians may have a reluctance to broach the topic of mood, particularly where the service does not have adequate liaison psychiatry expertise available [ 62 – 65 ]. Additionally, when a person presents with many complex physical conditions, there simply may not be time, especially in a 10-minute general practice consultation to consider mental health in addition to physical health [ 66 – 68 ].

However, exploring and evaluating  mood is important––the treatment of depression in people with physical health problems can improve life expectancy. One controlled study in New York found a significant decrease of about a third in the risk of death, nearly all of which could be attributed to a reduction of deaths in cancer patients, by implementing an initiative to treat depression in older people in primary care settings [ 17 ]. Similarly, treatment of depression is linked to significantly lower 5-year mortality in older people with diabetes in the US [ 69 ].

The relationship of anxiety with mortality is less conclusive: some studies have shown a protective effect of anxiety [ 70 ], but others found an association between elevated anxiety levels and mortality [ 71 ].

Cardiovascular disease

Depression is a silent epidemic in this group [ 72 ]. Patients with heart disease are likely to have a similar rate of undiagnosed mental health problems as the general population. Several studies have provided evidence that depression itself is a risk factor for coronary artery disease, conferring a similar additional risk to that provided by smoking [ 73 ].

Depression has a particularly high prevalence in patients following myocardial infarction (MI) and appears to affect outcome [ 73 ]. In the ENRICHD study, 39 % of patients with MI met the diagnostic criteria for depression, and those patients with MI and depression had less favourable outcomes in terms of morbidity and survival [ 74 ].The large ENRICHD trial also explored treatment effects [ 74 ]; there was no benefit in event-free-survival for the psychotherapy group although symptoms improved. However, survival rates improved in those MI patients on serotonin re-uptake inhibitory drugs (with or without psychotherapy).

Depression is a common problem in diabetes with a prevalence of around 10 % [ 75 ]. It is associated with poor prognostic factors including sub-optimal concordance with medications [ 76 ], physical inactivity [ 77 ], and resultant poor glycaemic control [ 78 ], more diabetes complications and disability, poorer quality of life [ 76 ] and, ultimately, both directly and indirectly increased economic and societal costs [ 79 , 80 ]. These factors also carry an increased mortality risk [ 81 ], most marked in young people with type 1 diabetes, partly attributed to psychological distress during transition into adult diabetes [ 82 ]. When people experience diabetes-related psychological distress this frequently impacts on their confidence to adequately self-care, necessitating greater support.

Diabetes is also associated with a range of other mental health problems including anxiety disorders [ 83 ], eating disorders [ 84 ], psychosis [ 85 ], and cognitive impairment [ 86 ]. When diabetes and eating disorder are co-morbid, the mortality rate increases to seven-times that of the general population and carries a threefold increased mortality rate compared to patients with only one of those conditions [ 87 ]. Across all mental health diagnoses, the presence of a psychiatric co-morbidity increases healthcare utilisation, the risk of long-term complications and overall cost-burden [ 88 ].

When diabetes care is integrated with mental health care, biomedical as well as psychosocial outcomes improve [ 89 ], and this is a practice which is gaining increased recognition in recent years. The guidelines of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK therefore recommend screening for depression in diabetes [ 90 ].

Common origins––shared solutions?

A range of factors may contribute to the higher rates of morbidity and mortality seen in people with co-morbid mental and physical health problems. Poverty, homelessness, substance use, and smoking all confer an increased risk of both physical health problems, such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and infectious diseases, and mental illness. Many of these are avoidable, including modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease [ 91 , 92 ] and high smoking rates.

Reducing risks for poor health requires a multi-faceted approach to promotion of mental and physical well-being, reducing the risk of emergent co-morbid conditions as well as active management of existing risk factors. Service users themselves are aware of this: one 11-country survey of people with SMI highlighted measures to better treat depression and reduce weight gain as the most important ways to improve quality of life [ 93 ]. Service planners are listening: innovative stop smoking programmes are being rolled out across the UK, starting in forensic services, while the Lester Cardio metabolic resource [ 94 ], based on the work of Curtis et al. [ 95 ] in Australia, provides evidence based shared treatment protocols for primary and secondary care.

One service taking a joint approach to the management of people with diabetes and mental health co-morbidities in the community is the 3 dimensions of care for diabetes service (3DFD) at King’s College Hospital, a team which integrates medical, psychological and social treatments for people with poorly controlled diabetes. In doing so, it is possible to address the psychosocial problems which are impacting on adherence and health behaviours, and thus improving glycaemic control.

Screening and treatment

The Preventative Services Task Force in the US [ 96 ], and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK [ 97 ] highlight the importance of screening for mental illness in people with disorders such as Diabetes. Reciprocally NICE, the European Psychiatric Association and the American Diabetes Association have all produced recommendations for monitoring for cardiovascular risk in people receiving anti-psychotics for SMI [ 54 , 98 , 99 ]. However, screening alone is not enough: protocols are needed to treat co-morbidities which emerge on screening. Kendrick et al. [ 100 ] found that even where co-morbid depression is identified, it is infrequently treated and, rates of treatment of dyslipidaemias in schizophrenia are shockingly low [ 101 ]. In the UK, the NHS has endeavoured to address this problem by changing the focus from screening for depression in long-term conditions, to treatment of depression where identified [ 102 ], while the Lester Cardiometabolic resource encourages clinicians to take that next step into management of identified cardiovascular risk factors [ 94 ].

Whose job is it?

The mental health worker has an obligation to provide mental health care for patients under their care. He/she likewise has an obligation to ensure that any physical health conditions of the patient receive adequate and equitable attention. For most patients in the community in the UK, the general practitioner is likely to be in the best position to co-ordinate physical care, but often practical difficulties get in the way, such as when patients lack capacity and will not engage in routine care. The nature of illness such as schizophrenia means that on occasion, problems such as thought disorder may interfere with giving a history in a short consultation while disorganisation may compromise adherence to management plans. Further confusion may arise for patients under shared care in the community, especially when there is inconsistency in general practitioner attendance, all of which requires a flexible approach. Some organisations attempt to avert such conflict by recommending that the role of mental health services is to assess whether each service user is able to equitably access physical health services and to consider what extra support may be needed to allow such equitable access [ 103 ].

In acute inpatient settings the situation is clearer. The psychiatrist has primary responsibility to perform the appropriate investigations indicated, to ensure they are followed up as required and that specialist advice is sought when necessary. The time when a patient is in hospital can be a valuable opportunity to perform investigations and obtain specialist opinions. However, access to acute medical care while a mental health inpatient can also be practically difficult, for example when an acute mental illness renders attendance at accident and emergency problematic. Shockingly, in the year following discharge from inpatient care, people with SMI are twice as likely to die as the general population [ 31 ]. An inpatient stay is thus an important window of opportunity to enhance access to acute medical care and institute measures to prevent premature death. Flexible and imaginative approaches to providing medical assessments in the mental health unit are needed to bridge this gap.

Service structures for the management of mental health problems in physical health settings are much better established. The speciality of liaison psychiatry, or consultation-liaison psychiatry, is traditionally based in the general hospital to provide assessment and treatment for three main groups of patients: general hospital inpatients; patients presenting to the emergency department with psychiatric problems and managing the mental health needs of patients with long-term conditions. It entails psychiatrists working with other specialities to manage co-morbidities of mental and physical health issues, and might be expanded to include greater collaboration with primary care [ 104 , 105 ].

This model of collaborative care has been demonstrated to be effective in diabetes, and reflects an important development of the liaison psychiatry model. Katon et al. [ 89 ] demonstrated that where diabetes care is integrated with mental health care, both biomedical and psychosocial outcomes improve. Developing models of collaborative care, although under-represented in the literature, may include changes in the structuring of healthcare services, with the introduction of a case-management approach. The NICE guidelines for depression in long-term conditions [ 97 ] suggest intensive case-management for people with depression and associated functional impairment which has failed to respond to psychological or pharmacological intervention, a combination of treatment modalities.

Barriers to access

Mental health problems may reduce the willingness or even the ability of individuals to effectively communicate and address their physical health needs. Social isolation may further reduce the likelihood that individuals will seek physical healthcare. Even when people engage with mental health services, mental health professionals may not routinely give sufficient attention to the physical assessment of patients presenting with psychiatric problems. And when people with mental health problems do attend general services, there may be an assumption that some physical symptoms are psychosomatic––so-called ‘diagnostic overshadowing’. In this population, there is some evidence of later diagnosis for physical illness, resulting in less favourable outcomes, which in diagnoses such as cancer, may result in poorer prognosis [ 48 , 49 ]. There is likewise evidence of significantly lower rates of participation in free of charge cancer screening programmes, e.g. in Manitoba for both cervical and breast cancer screening by women with schizophrenia [ 106 , 107 ].

In the UK even where cardiovascular risk factors are identified in medical records of people with chronic psychiatric illness, there is often limited intervention to ameliorate these risks [ 107 ]. Patients with enduring mental illness are 7 % less likely to have a cholesterol test and 15 % less likely to receive a statin prescription [ 108 ], although the quality of diabetes care is the same as that of the general population [ 109 ]. An Australian study examining the experiences of people with schizophrenia with cardiovascular disease over an 18-year period, found that they were significantly less likely to receive revascularisation procedures compared with the general population [ 110 ]. Even where health-promotion programmes exist, these are frequently designed in a way which make access difficult for people with SMI [ 23 ].

Integrating physical and mental health in public health policy

The report of the WHO Commission on Social Determinants in Health suggests a series of measures to tackle health inequalities, most of which are relevant to people with mental and physical health problems [ 111 ]. The report recommends addressing social determinants of health including taking steps to reduce poverty, improving access to education, ensuring better quality housing, encouraging community cohesiveness or improving the natural environment. Some of these are specific to the needs of people with mental and/or physical health problems; others may be included in general health promotion and public health strategies.

The EU Mental and Physical Health Charter has since suggested three key initiatives to improve overall health for people with both physical and mental health conditions [ 112 ]:

Improving health literacy Health literacy is a measure of the individual’s ability to process health information and is a factor of the relationship between a person’s literacy, language and numeracy levels. Low health literacy may hinder an individual in taking action to improve their health, and the presence of a mental illness may affect the person’s literacy levels. Improving health literacy may help addressing health inequalities, and may take a number of forms including self-help guides, easily accessible information, and electronically available information for patients, their carers and the public.

Raising awareness among specific at - risk groups Vulnerable population groups including people with severe mental illness may struggle to effect behaviour change based on routine advice and information on lifestyle, diet and exercise and may require more active approaches, such as monitoring by health professionals or peer advocates to help increase uptake of lifestyle advice. Carers and families can also play a pivotal role in helping individuals to stay physically healthy. Financial incentives such as the prescription of access to gym facilities or subsidies to help purchase healthy foods may also be of benefit. However, institutional obstacles may need to be overcome [ 23 ].

Improved training in primary and specialist care Although there is growing evidence of the issue of co-morbid physical and mental health problems, specialist care tends not to focus on co-morbidity. Psychiatrists have focused mainly on treating psychiatric symptoms at the risk of neglecting common physical health needs [ 27 , 113 , 114 ] and physicians vice versa. There is scope to improve how the psychiatrist can act to help promote physical health, and indeed how certain specialists, particularly oncologists, diabetologists and cardiologists might think about the mental health of the people they treat. This is particularly important for those joining the clinical professions, reducing the impact of Cartesian dualism, and rather educating to consider body and mind together.

Our review of the literature has indicated that mental and physical health are common co-morbidities and, where present, have a significant effect on health outcomes including mortality. Service users, families, clinicians and policy makers all agree that a joined up approach to physical and mental health is needed [ 112 , 115 ]. Creative approaches to improve the physical health and longevity of people with SMI in particular are urgently needed across the board. Parity of esteem between mental and physical health is now recognised as a national priority in the UK and other countries across the globe [ 116 , 117 ].

Given the level of stigma that still surrounds mental health problems; social inclusion would be improved if people with mental health problems had better access to advice and support for physical health, with good communication between the various health professionals involved. Any programmes to help support people with chronic long-term physical health conditions likewise need to consider how to include people with mental illnesses, which otherwise may lead to poorer physical outcomes and exacerbate social exclusion [ 23 ].

Joint services already manage comorbidities and indeed multimorbidities in the context of liaison psychiatry. Complimentary physical health service approaches, tailored to local needs, would help improve health outcomes in people with severe and common mental illnesses.

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Doherty, A.M., Gaughran, F. The interface of physical and mental health. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 49 , 673–682 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-014-0847-7

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Mental and Physical Health

Introduction.

One interesting psychological concept is cognitive dissonance. This theory was pioneered nearly 60 years ago by Leon Festinger, and it has been one of the most influential theories of social psychology. According to Harmon-Jones and Mills (2019), Festinger posited that two cognitions can be considered relevant or irrelevant. The ones that are irrelevant to each other are dissonant, while the ones that follow are consonant. Therefore, cognitive dissonance can be explained as a psychological phenomenon that occurs when an individual has two related but opposite cognitions, ideas, or thoughts. In contrast, when ideas flow logically from each other, the term is cognitive consonance. Unfortunately, cognitive dissonance is accompanied by mental discomfort, which could lead to changes in attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs to restore consonance, consistency, and coherence. Studies show that brain scans of people with cognitive dissonance have visible electrophysiological signals in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. This is the area that controls mistakes and conflicts.

Cognitive dissonance, as from the name, does not have physical manifestations since it is felt internally. That implies it is challenging for one to identify external signals that show a person is experiencing cognitive dissonance. According to Festinger, people have adopted defense mechanisms to deal with the discomfort associated with cognitive dissonance. These defense mechanisms are classified into avoiding, delegitimizing, and restricting impact. People who use avoiding mechanisms often ignore or avoid situations or places that remind them of dissonance. They could also distract themselves with tasks that take the issues off their minds or discourage others from talking about them. Trivialization entails discrediting a person, situation, event, or group that brings the dissonance to attention. It also means downplaying the importance of dissonant experiences, attitudes, or behaviors (Cancino Montecinos, 2020). A person might claim that the group is not credible or the situation is biased, meaning it should not be trusted to highlight dissonance. Limiting impact involves belittling the importance of cognitive dissonance. That means a person could claim the experience is okay. For example, Festinger’s experiment shows the participants given $1 to tell lies about the peg-turning task claimed the experience was fun, which limited the impact, unlike those paid $20. From these mechanisms, it is safe to deduce that cognitive dissonance implicates different real-world settings since people want to avoid feeling the differences between attitudes and behaviors, particularly when decision-making, forced compliance, and selected information are involved.

Implications of Cognitive Dissonance and Real-Life

According to Yahya and Sukmayadi (2020), cognitive dissonance has great implications for decision-making, selective exposure to information, and forced compliance. Decision-making is one area that is significantly impacted by cognitive dissonance since it is felt when deciding. Unfortunately, it is one area that is a part of daily life in which one is expected to make a challenging decision from two similar and appealing options. With each option are consequences that follow, likely to cause dissonance. For example, a person may be stuck in a job they do not enjoy but offers stability and great benefits. Therefore, they are stuck with the options of either quitting and looking for a job they enjoy but one that does not offer similar stability or being stuck in the same job they do not enjoy. These two options offer dissonance since none covers everything one needs. That could explain why Borah et al. (2020) assert that cognitive dissonance leads to impaired decision-making. Therefore, it is important to reduce cognitive dissonance to improve decision-making. The four ways Borah et al. (2020) enlist include revoking the decision, reducing the importance of the decision, decreasing the positivity of the option not chosen, and increasing the positive outlook of the selected alternative. Interestingly, personality altering can help reduce cognitive dissonance. Studies show that extroverted people were likely to feel the adverse effects of cognitive dissonance and were less likely to change their minds. In contrast, introverts had a higher probability of changing their attitude and experiencing cognitive dissonance. According to Festinger, contrary opinions held by other people have a chance of reducing dissonance since they may inspire a person to change their decisions or attitudes. Decision-making is ubiquitous, meaning it is exercised in everything in the real world, even in the smallest issues, such as whether to take black or white coffee, with sugar or without.

Another area that is highly impacted by cognitive dissonance is selective exposure to information. This implication is closely tied to confirmation bias. Confirmation bias involves people looking for, processing, or interpreting information that is in line with the existing beliefs. Festinger posited that people selected information that supported their existing beliefs instead of contrary ones (Yahya & Sukmayadi, 2020). Confirmation bias can be used to reduce cognitive dissonance since it offers information that reinforces the selected alternative. In the example above on being stuck in a job a person does not enjoy when they choose to quit it, the information they would have gathered would have reinforced the decision. An example of the selected information found would be that quitting their job would make them happier and less anxious. Therefore, such information would agree with their decision, narrowing the conflicting feelings and attitudes they would have after quitting. Selected information correlates with dissonance since the information they have been exposed to agrees with their beliefs and does not contrast. In the political arena, people seek selected information that confirms their political beliefs because contrary information makes them uncomfortable and anxious. Such selected information could lead to skewed interpretations that could explain the spread of propaganda and motivated reasoning. Therefore, selected information demonstrates how it affects people’s understanding of information in the real world. It is what advertisers use to market products and services.

Forced compliance is a demand from a higher authoritative power that makes other people perform acts that go against their better judgment. That means that an individual has been forced to act against their cognition, promoting cognitive dissonance. For example, when the management forces its staff to lie to regulatory officers in a routine check-up. The management could force the employees by offering rewards or threatening them with the loss of their jobs. The behavioral and cognitive motives of these employees would be contradictory, increasing cognitive dissonance. Yahya and Sukmayadi (2020) report that forced compliance’s main objective involves changing a person’s attitude through authority and persuasion, which shows how it implicates people with authority. Studies show that applying excessive force might have temporary changes, meaning it is vital for people in authority to consider the amount of pressure they apply. Smaller rewards and pressure might produce more results and changes in attitudes and behaviors. Notably, emotional expression and distancing are ways to reduce cognitive dissonance brought about by forced compliance. Emotional expression involves getting in touch with one’s feelings, which could include accepting the presence of dissonance. Once acceptance has been made, it is easy to look for ways to address it. Distancing is crucial because it weakens the attachment felt to cognitive dissonance. Examples of distancing behaviors include crossing fingers when telling lies and reflecting on behaviors. When an authoritative figure forces compliance, one can distance oneself by realizing that the answers they give are not their own, and in case of any consequences, the figure in authority will deal with it. Therefore, emotional expression involves introspection and reflection, which is crucial in identifying the causes of cognitive dissonance and addressing them.

Importance of Understanding Cognitive Dissonance

It is obvious that people want to have confidence in their decisions, which explains why the avoidance mechanisms mentioned above have been fundamental, particularly with cognitive dissonance. That is why it is important to understand cognitive dissonance, especially with the explained implications associated with it. Comprehension of this concept can help reduce anxiety and stress that are associated with the effects of cognitive dissonance. Besides, it ensures that as decisions are being made, they are informed and more meaningful. Without comprehension, people can use cognitive dissonance to support destructive behaviors or attitudes. Such people will continue to look for information that supports their destruction and not want to make the required changes. For example, they will rationalize stealing as a means of provision. They could also claim that the people from whom they steal deserve it or have more than enough. A lack of self-awareness will also lead to cognitive dissonance and impaired decision-making. That means that cognitive dissonance is a part of human decision-making, but with its knowledge, it does not have to have adverse effects. One can turn it to make positive changes towards better and healthier thought patterns. It also offers a learning opportunity, especially when people actively seek information that makes them confront their cognitive dissonance. Knowledge expands the understanding of the world, which can help the thinking process to be more adaptable and flexible. According to Cooper (2019), cognitive dissonance can impact mental well-being positively, particularly in CBT. It causes the client to have uncomfortable conversations about different issues caused by the differences in their beliefs and behaviors.

In conclusion, cognitive dissonance is an interesting psychological concept that social psychologists have explored over time. It explains the discord that happens when a person has different and contradictory values/beliefs and actions. Leon Festinger developed it in 1957, asserting that people will always seek ways to bridge contradicting values and actions as they seek consistency. That is why they apply defense mechanisms such as avoidance, trivialization, and delegitimization. Notably, cognitive dissonance implicates different aspects of the real world, such as decision-making, selected information, and forced compliance. Decision-making is an everyday activity that leads to cognitive dissonance. Changes in attitudes and behaviors affect decision-making and can reduce or increase it. Selected information ties closely to confirmation bias, which reduces cognitive dissonance since it offers information that supports existing beliefs. On the other hand, forced compliance involves a higher authoritative figure coercing a subordinate into behaviors that are contrary to their beliefs and values. These implications affect different areas, such as politics and education. Understanding cognitive dissonance is crucial because it offers learning growth and can be used to make impactful decisions. Most importantly, it leads to adaptive and flexible thinking patterns, especially with expanded knowledge that is not based on confirmation biases.

Borah, Tulika & Gogoi, Sampreety & Dutta, Ankita. (2020). Cognitive dissonance: its role in decision making. ADVANCE RESEARCH JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE. 11. 69-72. http://dx.doi.org/10.15740/HAS/ARJSS/11.2/69-72

Cancino Montecinos, S. (2020).  New perspectives on cognitive dissonance theory  (Doctoral dissertation, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University). http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-179559

Cooper, J. (2019). Cognitive dissonance: Where we’ve been and where we’re going.  International Review of Social Psychology ,  32 (1), 7. https://doi.org/10.5334/irsp.277

Harmon-Jones, E., & Mills, J. (2019). An introduction to cognitive dissonance theory and an overview of current perspectives on the theory.

Yahya, A. H., & Sukmayadi, V. (2020). A review of cognitive dissonance theory and its relevance to current social issues.  MIMBAR: Jurnal Sosial Dan Pembangunan ,  36 (2), 480-488. http://dx.doi.org/10.29313/mimbar.v36i2.6652

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Mental Health Matters: Understanding the Vital Importance of Emotional Well-being

B eing mentally and emotionally healthy is essential to living a balanced life. Mental health influences how we think, feel, and act in our day-to-day lives, and it can also help determine how well we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. 

While many factors contribute to overall mental health well-being—such as managing stress levels through exercise or using positive coping strategies—all of us need to gain a better understanding of what psychological wellness looks like so that we can take steps towards maintaining an optimal state of mental health both now and in the future. In this article, let’s explore the concept and importance of mental health in greater detail – from recognizing its critical components to discovering how establishing emotional resilience plays a vital role in leading a happy and successful life.

Defining Mental Health and Well-being

Mental health and well-being are essential components of a healthy and fulfilling life, and understanding them is crucial. Mental health encompasses a range of emotions, thoughts, and behaviors and refers to a person’s overall psychological well-being. Similarly, well-being refers to a person’s general state of being happy, healthy, and content with life. Attending a mental health retreat is one way to achieve and maintain mental health and well-being. 

Such a retreat creates a conducive environment where individuals can disconnect from the stressors of daily life and focus on their mental and emotional health. At a mental health retreat , individuals can participate in activities such as meditation, counseling, and relaxation techniques that promote mental wellness and a positive outlook on life. Individuals can lead a fulfilling life, free from stress and anxiety, by prioritizing mental health and well-being.

Investigating the Causes and Risk Factors of Poor Mental Health

There is no single cause of poor mental health, which various factors can influence. Some of these factors include biological, environmental, and psychological influences. For example, genetics and brain chemistry can play a role in developing particular mental illnesses, such as depression or anxiety disorders. Environmental factors like childhood trauma or chronic stress can also contribute to poor mental health. 

Furthermore, certain psychological risk factors—like low self-esteem or negative thinking patterns—can also make individuals more susceptible to developing mental health issues. By understanding these causes and risk factors, we can be better equipped to recognize and address potential challenges to our mental well-being.

Exploring Ways to Improve Your Mental Health  

Just like physical health, mental health requires regular maintenance. There are various ways to improve your mental well-being and promote a positive mindset. These include engaging in activities that bring joy and fulfillment, practicing self-care, maintaining healthy relationships, seeking professional help, and developing coping strategies for managing stress and negative emotions.

Additionally, taking care of our physical health through exercise and a balanced diet can significantly impact our mental well-being. We can improve our mental health and cultivate emotional resilience by prioritizing self-care and adopting healthy habits.

Acknowledging the Stigma Surrounding Mental Illness

Despite the importance of mental health, there is still a significant stigma surrounding mental illness in many societies. It can make it difficult for individuals to seek help and support when needed, leading to further challenges with mental health. It’s essential to recognize that mental illness is just like any other physical illness and requires proper treatment and support from healthcare professionals.

Moreover, educating ourselves and those around us about mental health is crucial to reducing the stigma and promoting a more open and supportive environment for individuals struggling with mental illness. We can encourage people to seek help without fear of judgment or discrimination by breaking down these barriers.

Identifying Resources Available for Those Struggling with Mental Health Issues

Fortunately, many resources are available for individuals struggling with mental health issues. These include therapy and counseling services, support groups, hotlines, self-care apps, and online communities. It’s essential to seek help if you’re experiencing challenges with your mental health and to know that it is okay to ask for support.

Furthermore, employers and educational institutions are also increasingly recognizing the importance of mental health and providing resources for their employees and students. Seeking support from these sources can help individuals manage their mental health more effectively and lead a healthier and happier lives.

Celebrating Those Who Are Working to Eradicate the Taboo of Mental Illnesses

As more awareness is raised about mental health, there are many individuals and organizations working to eradicate the taboo surrounding mental illness and promote open discussions about it. These include mental health advocates, healthcare professionals, support groups, and community organizations.

By celebrating and supporting those making a positive impact in the mental health field, we can continue to break down barriers and create a more understanding and inclusive society. Through collective efforts, we can create a world where mental health is equally important to physical health, and individuals are not afraid to seek help when needed.

In Conclusion

Mental health is an essential aspect of our overall well-being, and it’s crucial to prioritize it in our lives. By being aware of its key components, understanding the causes and risk factors of poor mental health, and exploring ways to improve it, we can lead a healthier and more fulfilling life. It’s also essential to acknowledge the stigma surrounding mental illness and utilize available resources for support. Let us work together to create a world where mental health is given the attention and care it deserves.

The post Mental Health Matters: Understanding the Vital Importance of Emotional Well-being appeared first on Sunny Sweet Days .

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April 8, 2024

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New study highlights the benefit of touch on mental and physical health

by Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience - KNAW

Through a large-scale analysis, researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience have uncovered the ways in which consensual touch can benefit a person's physical and mental well-being.

You might recognize the comforting feeling when someone offers you a hug at the end of a stressful day or strokes your shoulder when you're feeling down. But the question remains: can touch really help you feel better, and does it matter who it's from or how they touch you?

To explore these questions, researchers from the Social Brain Lab at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience and the University Hospital Essen conducted a large-scale analysis of studies exploring touch interventions.

The benefits of touch on mental and physical health

Does touch truly improve someone's well-being? It is an easy question to ask but more complicated to answer. Individual studies often only focus on specific instances and may contradict each other. Combining all these studies together for a large-scale analysis offers a clearer answer: yes, touch substantially improves both physical and mental well-being, for example, via reduction of pain, anxiety, depression, and stress in adults.

But in fact, those with physical or mental health problems (and therefore most in need of support) benefit even more from touch than healthy adults. "This is especially relevant considering how often touch interventions are overlooked," Packheiser, the first author, adds.

"A key question of our study is to leverage the hundreds of individual studies out there to identify what type of touch works best," adds Professor Keysers, director of the Social Brain Lab. "What if you don't have a friend or partner close by to hug you? Would touch from a stranger or even a machine also help? And how often? The study clearly shows that touch can indeed be optimized, but the most important factors are not necessarily those we suspect."

Interestingly, the person touching you, how they touch you, and the duration of their touch doesn't make a difference in terms of impact. A long-lasting massage by a therapist could, therefore, be just as effective as a quick hug offered by a friend. That is until the frequency of the intervention is considered. The more often a touch intervention is offered the greater the impact. A quick hug could, therefore, be even more impactful than a massage if it is offered more frequently.

Human or non-human touch?

The next question was whether touch intervention needs to be human at all. As it turns out, object or robot interventions can be equally effective at improving physical well-being. "There are lots of people in need of well-being improvements, perhaps because they're lonely but also because clinical conditions may inflict them. These results indicate that a touch-robot or even a simple weighted blanket has the potential to help those people," last author Frédéric Michon explains.

However, the benefits of robot and object interventions are less effective for mental well-being. Mental health disorders like anxiety or depression might, therefore, require human touch after all, "perhaps suggestive of the importance for an emotional component associated with the touch," Michon points out.

While the researchers were equally curious about human-to-animal contact, studies exploring this question are still lacking. "It would be useful to see whether an animal's or pet's touch could improve well-being, and inversely if they also benefit from it, but unfortunately, there simply aren't enough studies, or properly controlled ones, for us to draw any general conclusions on these topics," Michon clarifies.

Touch interventions across ages

When the team looked into the impact of touch on newborns, they found out that newborns also benefited significantly from touch. However, the person conducting the touch intervention was more important: the benefits of touch are higher when done by a parent instead of a health care worker.

"This finding could be impactful," Packheiser adds. "Death rates due to premature births are high in some countries, and the knowledge that a baby benefits more from the touch of their own parent offers another easily implementable form of support for the baby's health".

Due to a lack of studies, it proved difficult to draw conclusions about children and teenagers. "Large-scale studies like this help us draw more general conclusions, but they also help us identify where research is lacking," Michon explains.

"We hope that our findings can steer future research to explore lesser-known questions. This includes animal touch, but also touch across ages, and in specific clinical settings like autistic patients, another category that has not been explored extensively."

The study is published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour .

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A Whole-Person Approach to Mental Health

More than half of adults with mental illness go untreated. Christina Mainelli ’11, CEO of Quartet Health, says a value-based approach can help to expand access, standardize treatment, and create incentives for better coordination between physical and mental healthcare.

• Christina Mainelli Chief Executive Officer, Quartet Health

Q: What is the scale of the mental health need in the U.S.?

It’s estimated that more than one in five adults live with a mental illness. And if you add addiction—substance use disorder—that number gets much larger. It’s also pretty alarming that 55% of adults with mental illness go untreated. That’s devastating for those individuals and their families and friends. There are impacts on productivity, employment, even lifespan, and for society there’s lost economic vitality.

For adults with serious mental illness—think bipolar, schizophrenia, PTSD, major depressive disorder—there are even greater impacts. These individuals often have multiple comorbid conditions and worse health outcomes. Forty to fifty percent of this population also has a substance use disorder.

Additionally, the impact of mental illness on kids is staggering. Over half of adolescents have had a mental health issue or mental illness. Kids with a mental illness are two times more likely to drop out of school. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for adolescents as a whole and the leading cause of death for 14- and 15-year-olds.

Q: What’s keeping people from getting the care they need?

I think of three major issues that need to be addressed: access, quality, and the fragmentation of the delivery system.

This is a business opportunity because, in a value-based context, we can deliver higher quality care that lowers overall costs and provides better patient outcomes.

One way to think of access is simply getting an appointment. You hear about wait times of weeks or months for people struggling with high acuity concerns—meaning their condition may be serious and could benefit from immediate care. The average wait time to see a psychiatrist is 25 days, and it can be up to 90 days. That’s a huge issue. Generally accepted standards include speed to care within 10 days for routine needs, within 48 hours for urgent needs, and within 6 hours for those in non-life-threatening crisis.

From a business perspective, access is largely a supply and a matching issue. Almost half of the U.S. population, 164 million people, live in designated mental health professional shortage areas. To bring this to life, in Massachusetts, there’s one behavioral health clinician for every 150 people. In Alabama, there’s one behavioral health clinician for every 920 people. Essentially, in Alabama, there’s simply not enough supply, while in Massachusetts access challenges have more to do with matching the right provider to the patient.

It’s a very personal experience to obtain mental health care; we want a clinician who understands our circumstances. We may feel more comfortable with someone who “looks like us” in terms of age, race, religion, language, or gender. To fully address access, we need to support patients in getting connected or “matched” to the right behavioral healthcare clinician, and we need clinicians that reflect the complexion of our population as part of addressing health equity issues.

Q: What about quality?

Delivering high quality care that achieves the best outcomes for patients is critical, but significant variation remains in adherence to evidenced based care and in treatment outcomes across care settings, providers, and geographies. There are multiple contributing factors, including training, reimbursement models, and impact of health disparities which need to be addressed both on the healthcare delivery side as well as from a policy perspective.

Q: The third issue you noted was fragmentation.

Fragmentation between physical and behavioral healthcare is a huge problem—the more we learn about mental health care, the clearer it is that physical health can be a large determinant of mental health and vice versa.

There has been progress addressing fragmentation as demonstrated by collaborative care models and related codes, and most recently a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announcement around Integrated Health Models aimed at advancing holistic care. However, there is still a huge need for a formalized structure that not just enables but also incentivizes primary care doctors to connect with behavioral health specialists.

Imagine you’re a primary care physician in a practice seeing patients every 12 to 15 minutes, and someone presents with a mental health issue. It may not be clear how acute the patient is or how serious the issue is. What’s the appropriate treatment pathway? Who should you refer the patient to? It’s not obvious—or efficient to act on—in today’s clinical world.

I often hear that physical health providers are reticent to treat individuals with serious mental illness. Why? Because patients with these conditions often have a complex combination of physical, behavioral, and social health needs.

There’s a lack of aligned incentives that would enable physical health providers to take on these patients, work with the mental health provider on a treatment plan that addresses all health needs, and engage in an ongoing exchange of information with the patient and the mental health provider about how the patient is progressing.

All of these things combined contribute to a lack of connectivity between the physical and behavioral health provider. It also creates a confusing and fragmented experience for the patient.

Q: How does Quartet Health work?

Quartet is both a technology platform and a direct provider of patient care. On our digital platform, we are connected to over 10,000 behavioral health providers that service up to 21 million patients. We also have a medical group that directly employs over 250 behavioral health clinicians who see over 500,000 patients a year.

Here’s a real-life example: a 71-year-old female patient in Michigan used her phone to access our digital platform where she answered a few questions and selected what was most important to her in her care. She requested a female provider for virtual and in-person services to help address her anxiety. Within two hours, we reached out to the patient in Michigan and matched her to a provider. The provider contacted her within the hour, and she had her first appointment three days later.

The patient in Michigan is what we’d consider a good patient experience—within three hours the patient had an appointment set for within three days. This is using technology to help solve the access problem. We triage, match, and then provide care. At every step, we’re measuring outcomes to ensure quality.

While this patient used the self-service option, primary care providers on our platform can also make a referral or have someone in the front office go through the initial matching process with a patient. Whether it’s the patient or the provider making the query, it passes right through our algorithms which help match the best behavioral health provider. That’s the connectivity between physical and behavioral health reducing fragmentation.

The name Quartet refers to what we see as the foundation of the physical health provider, the behavioral health provider, the payer, and the patient all working together.

Q: Why not just operate a digital platform to connect patients to existing providers?

Many behavioral healthcare companies were born out of the pandemic. A lot of them offer point solutions—they’re addressing one specific need. We’re starting to see consolidation in that part of the industry. We’re also seeing some of those companies fail due to lack of a robust business model. The ones that are surviving aren’t just offering point solutions, they’re taking on bigger industry-wide problems.

At Quartet, we felt that the digital platform alone wasn’t solving a big enough problem, so we made a strategic decision to deliver care ourselves. Quartet Medical Group delivers care in 30+ markets. We practice measurement-based care (MBC) to ensure our clinicians are using evidence-based medicine; we have close to 80% adherence to MBC, which is well above industry best practice. We also offer appointments within 48 hours for high acuity patients, and our outcomes are strong. Our data shows over 40% improvement in total cost of care for patients in our clinic. I don’t know of another company that connects physical health to behavioral health the way we do.

I have absolute conviction that we must address the whole person in healthcare.

Using that integrated approach, we’ve just launched a new product. For patients with serious mental illness, we’re building a behavioral health home that delivers whole-person treatment—physical health, behavioral health, and social care, which is reimbursed in a value-based model. I worked closely with two of my classmates from Yale SOM to develop this solution: Tom Dow, who leads our medical economics team, and Michael Lipp, our chief medical officer. Getting to collaborate and innovate with Michael and Tom at Quartet has been one of the greatest gifts from the program.

Q: Why did Quartet choose to focus its new offering on the seriously mentally ill population?

In the last few years, we’ve seen lots of new entrants in behavioral health—think Talkspace, Headspace, Calm. Most new entrants focus on those with mild mental illness. There are very few programs directed at the moderate to seriously mentally ill.

This is a patient population that really struggles. Their average lifespan is 15 to 17 years shorter. Often, they do not have access to physical or behavioral healthcare. And from an economic perspective, these are incredibly expensive patients because they require a lot of services and, if they don’t get those services, they end up in situations that require an emergency room or inpatient facility.

I have absolute conviction that we must address the “whole person” in healthcare. I’ve spent over two decades in the field. I’ve worked on the physical health side. I’ve seen the difficulties and complexities of delivering care to patients. I’ve also done work focused on the social determinants of health. That’s why I know Quartet’s approach is an opportunity to improve experience and outcomes for these patients. This is a business opportunity because, in a value-based context, we can deliver higher quality care that lowers overall costs and provides better patient outcomes.

Q: How does the program work?

We take total cost-of-care accountability. Our primary care and behavioral health clinicians provide care virtually and in person. We meet the patient where they are: in the hospital, in the home, in the community. We provide whatever service the patient needs, whether it’s physical health, behavioral health, or social services. We’re not saying, “Oh, this or that’s not covered.” We’re doing what we think is clinically appropriate for each patient because, at the end of the day, we are rewarded based on our clinical outcomes: Did we reduce cost of care? Did the patient’s health improve?

Value-based care is a very impactful reimbursement model for this population because it aligns incentives. This population has complex needs, with nearly three comorbid conditions on average, and thus requires a payment model that reimburses for not just mental health services but treatment for the whole person. By treating all aspects of health, we can prevent acute events such as hospital admissions by ensuring access, quality, and continuity of care, which in turn lowers overall costs. And we can do this successfully because it’s one care delivery team working together.

This isn’t a short-term program; we stay with patients for as long as they need us. That could be 12 months or 18 months or it could be three years. We see up to a 30% to 40% total cost-of-care reduction while improving quality and patient experience. It’s early, but we’re seeing very good results to start. For example, we are seeing over 25% patient engagement in a tough to reach population, and over 95% are coming back for follow on appointments and visits. That is an early indicator of success.

Q: How is mental health care usually paid for?

Today, mental health is still primarily a fee-for-service game. If you’re fortunate enough to find a provider that’s in your network, you have a co-pay, but the lion’s share of individuals are using cash pay in order to get access to the mental health provider that they want on the timeline that they want.

A lot of work has been done on mental health parity, which would ensure mental health issues are covered by insurance and that providers are available, but more work needs to be done to fully implement these programs with payers across the country.

I know people who are paying up to $450 an hour to see a therapist in New York City. I don’t think that’s sustainable. It doesn’t solve the core issues at hand with respect to equitable access, quality, or fragmentation. For example, the fee-for-service world does not reimburse for treating the whole person. Services like transportation, wellness visits, or peer support are often not reimbursed, but they are critical to improving health outcomes and lowering overall costs. That’s why we’ve made the choice to work with both commercial and government payers, so the providers we make available to individuals are largely in-network choices, and why we’ve launched our value-based products to provide alternative payment models.

Q: Who is your customer?

We have a patient-first culture and mentality. We are accountable to our patients, but often we get access to them through a payer, so at the end of the day, our customers are health plans, health systems, community mental health centers, and government payers.

Q: Where do you see the field moving in the next five years?

I think that we are going to see a lot more movement toward value-based care for behavioral health. Traditional fee-for-service does not work for whole-person care or for higher acuity populations—whether its mental health or substance use.

I also absolutely think there’s a place for AI in behavioral healthcare. There’s work being done on patient intake, routine administrative tasks, and transcribing notes from sessions, all of which can help to tackle issues of supply by freeing up staff to focus on patient care.

AI can also analyze vast datasets far more efficiently than humans. This capability can lead to earlier detection of diseases, help develop personalized treatment plans, and lead to better patient outcomes. It’s worth noting that for these efforts to be successful, they rely on high quality data, a multi-disciplinary team to develop and validate recommendations, and the protection of patient data and privacy.

Q: Has your experience at Yale SOM shaped how you approach your work?

I got a tremendous amount out of my Yale SOM experience. Because I chose the healthcare focus, my classmates all worked in healthcare, too, but they had expertise in other disciplines such as law, technology, or medicine. Their different points of view gave me a broader understanding of the many constituents in healthcare and the challenges and opportunities each faces, as well as the importance of the entire healthcare delivery system working together. This broader view and experience have made me a better problem solver, strategist, partner, and leader of people and organizations.

April 16, 2024

Walks in Green Parks Mean Stronger Immune Systems and Better Mental Health

Contact with nature improves physical and mental health, but greenery is not easily reached by all

By Lydia Denworth

Like so many people, I took refuge in the outdoors during the worst of the COVID pandemic, going on socially distanced walks and sitting on the deck in all kinds of weather. Being outside reduced the chance of infection, but it also helped in other ways. “I think everybody got that nature seemed to be the solution for a lot of the stress issues that people were dealing with,” says Jay Maddock, an experimental psychologist and director of the Center for Health & Nature at Texas A&M University. Scientists got it, too. Research into the health benefits of nature has “exploded” since then, Maddock says.

More time in the green is associated with lower blood pressure, strengthened immune systems, lower risk of cardiovascular disease and improved sleep. A recent study found it might slow the shortening of the telomeres that cap our chromosomes, a sign of biological aging. And there is convincing evidence that time in nature reduces depressive symptoms, alleviates stress and improves cognitive function.

A 2019 study of more than 19,000 people in the U.K. found that those who reported spending at least 120 minutes in nature (such as parks, woodlands or beaches) every week had better health or higher well-being than those who spent less time. It didn’t matter whether people reached the total time in many small increments or one long block. Researchers are also investigating beneficial health effects of “blue space” (water) and “brown space” (deserts).

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The research is also highlighting health inequality created by disparities in access to green space—something else the pandemic shone a spotlight on. Jennifer D. Roberts, a health equity scholar at the University of Maryland, says the lowest-income communities are “less likely to have trees; they’re less likely to have parks of ample acreage and high quality.” According to one recent study, neighborhoods that were once redlined (a now outlawed practice that deemed certain areas “hazardous” for investment) have less green space today than areas with similar demographics that were not redlined.

Access to parks and other greenery is linked to health disparities that can’t be explained by factors such as race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status alone, says epidemiologist Marcia P. Jimenez of the Boston University School of Public Health. “There are higher-level determinants of health, which are our access to food, our exposure to air pollution, noise, green space and the socioeconomic status of our neighborhood.” More access to green space tends to give a bigger relative health boost to disadvantaged groups than to more privileged ones, research is starting to show. “If we were to increase greenness among these vulnerable populations, we could essentially tackle health inequalities. This is where to begin,” Jimenez says.

To get a more precise measure of local greenery for some studies, scientists use Google Street View data and something called the normalized difference vegetation index, which uses satellite imagery to quantify plant density and health in an area of land. A company called Nature-Quant based in Bend, Ore., recently used machine learning to develop NatureScore, which combines multiple datasets on parks, tree canopies, and air, noise and light pollution to develop a score between 0 and 100 as a proxy for greenness for every address in the U.S. (a heavily urban environment would generally score below 30 and a forest above 70).

In a 2024 study, Maddock and his colleagues were the first to use NatureScore to analyze health outcomes, specifically for mental health. They looked at outpatient mental health service utilization, mostly for depression, anxiety or stress, across 1,169 zip codes in Texas. After adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic factors, they found that rates of mental health service use were about 50 percent lower in neighborhoods with NatureScores higher than 60. In 2022 Jimenez and her colleagues published a paper in JAMA Open Network using data from the long-running Nurses’ Health Study II to show that living in areas with more green space was associated with higher scores for overall cognition and for psychomotor speed and attention. This difference could be partly explained by fewer depressive symptoms.

There are several possible explanations for these findings. One theory holds that nature provides a respite from the mental fatigue of modern life and the built environment, thereby restoring attentional resources. A 2024 experiment that had nearly 100 participants offers support for the idea: the researchers found that a 40-minute walk in nature enhanced people’s ability to coordinate higher-level cognitive functions—such as problem-solving and multitasking—more than a 40-minute walk in an urban environment did.

A second theory suggests that time spent in nature activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which reduces the body’s stress responses. Studies show reductions in cortisol levels—part of those responses—after exposure to greenery. In addition, green space affects health indirectly because time outdoors encourages physical activity and offers chances for social connection, both of which improve mental and physical well-being.

Studies such as Jimenez’s and Maddock’s are aimed at policymakers more than individuals, but they remind us all of the importance of seeking out greenery wherever we live. I recently downloaded the NatureDose app, another Nature-Quant product, which allows me to track time outside the way I count steps. And we should all try to heed the advice that Jimenez gives to her students: “I see how stressed they are, especially during exams,” she says. “I tell them, ‘Go out for a walk.’”

This is an opinion and analysis article, and the views expressed by the author or authors are not necessarily those of Scientific American .

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Touch can reduce pain, depression and anxiety, say researchers

More consensual touch helps ease or buffer against mental and physical complaints, meta-analysis shows

Whether it is a hug from a friend or the caress of a weighted blanket, the sensation of touch appears to bring benefits for the body and mind, researchers say.

The sense of touch is the first to develop in babies and is crucial in allowing us to experience the environment around us as well as communicate. Indeed, the loss of touch from others during the Covid pandemic hit many hard.

However, while myriad studies have suggested touch is beneficial for our health, few have attempted to draw the vast field of research together.

Now experts have done just that, revealing a simple message: touch helps.

Dr Helena Hartmann, a co-author of the research from University Hospital Essen , said: “More consensual touch events throughout our day can help alleviate or potentially buffer against mental and physical complaints.”

Published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour , the research encompassed 212 previously published studies and included a statistical analysis of 85 studies involving adults and 52 involving newborns.

Among the results, the team found touch was just as beneficial for mental health as physical health – a finding that held for adults and newborns – although touch had a bigger impact on some areas than others.

“Our work illustrates that touch interventions are best suited for reducing pain, depression and anxiety in adults and children as well as for increasing weight gain in newborns,” the researchers write.

The analysis revealed humans gained similar benefits in terms of their physical health when touched by other humans as by objects – such as social robots or weighted blankets.

Hartmann said that was a surprise. “This means we need to undertake more research on the potential of weighted blankets or social robots to improve people’s wellbeing, especially during contact-limiting situations like the recent Covid-19 pandemic,” she said.

The positive impact on mental health was larger for human touch than touch from objects – possibly, the team said, because it involved skin-to-skin contact.

Among other results, the team found touch was beneficial for both healthy and unwell people, although the impact was larger among the latter for mental health benefits.

The type of touch and its duration was not important, although greater frequency was associated with greater benefits in adults.

Further, touching the head was associated with greater health benefits than touching other parts of the body.

The team cautioned that some of the findings could be false positives, while it was not clear if they would hold across different cultures.

Dr Mariana von Mohr, from Royal Holloway, University of London, who was not involved in the work, said if future robots could more accurately replicate the texture and warmth of human skin, they may be able to provide comparable mental health benefits to human touch.

“[These properties are] important because our skin contains specialised sensors, known as C-tactile afferents, which are particularly receptive to gentle, caressing touch and temperature similar to that of human skin, factors that are also thought to facilitate emotional regulation,” she said.

Prof Katerina Fotopoulou, at University College London, said the research gave a bird’s-eye view of the benefits of touch interventions on health.

She cautioned that the work could not offer more specific conclusions, such as the particular types of touch that may be associated with specific health benefits.

Dr Susannah Walker, at Liverpool John Moores University, agreed, noting that many of the studies considered were small and included varied types of touch and different measures of their outcomes. “This means it is hard to draw firm conclusions about why they work,” she said.

Fotopoulou added that the research could fuel new work in the field, including how touch could be used alongside other treatments.

“It is a historical misfortune that we have prioritised talking over touch or other somatic therapies in the past couple of centuries. This review gives us the necessary emphasis and confidence to redress this balance with further, careful study on touch interventions,” she said.

• Medical research
• Mental health
• Neuroscience

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Study helps explain why childhood maltreatment continues to impact on mental and physical health into adulthood

Childhood maltreatment can continue to have an impact long into adulthood because of how it effects an individual's risk of poor physical health and traumatic experiences many years later, a new study has found.

Individuals who experienced maltreatment in childhood -- such as emotional, physical and sexual abuse, or emotional and physical neglect -- are more likely to develop mental illness throughout their entire life, but it is not yet well understood why this risk persists many decades after maltreatment first took place.

In a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , scientists from the University of Cambridge and Leiden University found that adult brains continue to be affected by childhood maltreatment in adulthood because these experiences make individuals more likely to experience obesity, inflammation and traumatic events, all of which are risk factors for poor health and wellbeing, which in turn also affect brain structure and therefore brain health.

The researchers examined MRI brain scans from approximately 21,000 adult participants aged 40 to 70 years in UK Biobank, as well as information on body mass index (an indicator of metabolic health), CRP (a blood marker of inflammation) and experiences of childhood maltreatment and adult trauma.

Sofia Orellana, a PhD student at the Department of Psychiatry and Darwin College, University of Cambridge, said: "We've known for some time that people who experience abuse or neglect as a child can continue to experience mental health problems long into adulthood and that their experiences can also cause long term problems for the brain, the immune system and the metabolic system, which ultimately controls the health of your heart or your propensity to diabetes for instance. What hasn't been clear is how all these effects interact or reinforce each other."

Using a type of statistical modelling that allowed them to determine how these interactions work, the researchers confirmed that experiencing childhood maltreatment made individuals more likely to have an increased body mass index (or obesity) and experience greater rates of trauma in adulthood. Individuals with a history of maltreatment tended to show signs of dysfunction in their immune systems, and the researchers showed that this dysfunction is the product of obesity and repeated exposure to traumatic events.

Next, the researchers expanded their models to include MRI measures of the adult's brains and were able to show that widespread increases and decreases in brain thickness and volume associated with greater body mass index, inflammation and trauma were attributable to childhood maltreatment having made these factors more likely in the first place. These changes in brain structure likely mean that some form of physical damage is occurring to brain cells, affecting how they work and function.

Although there is more to do to understand how these effects operate at a cellular level in the brain, the researchers believe that their findings advance our understanding of how adverse events in childhood can contribute to life-long increased risk of brain and mind health disorders.

Professor Ed Bullmore from the Department of Psychiatry and an Honorary Fellow at Downing College, Cambridge, said: "Now that we have a better understanding of why childhood maltreatment has long term effects, we can potentially look for biomarkers -- biological red flags -- that indicate whether an individual is at increased risk of continuing problems. This could help us target early on those who most need help, and hopefully aid them in breaking this chain of ill health."

The research was supported by MQ: Transforming Mental Health, the Royal Society, Medical Research Council, National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East of England, Girton College and Darwin College.

• Mental Health Research
• Chronic Illness
• Diseases and Conditions
• Medical Topics
• Mental Health
• Disorders and Syndromes
• Child Development
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Environmental impact assessment
• Adolescence
• Child abuse
• Substance abuse
• Personalized medicine

Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Cambridge . The original text of this story is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License . Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

• Orellana, SC et al. Childhood maltreatment influences adult brain structure through its effects on immune, metabolic and psychosocial factors. . PNAS , 2024 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.230470412

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