Mental health is as important as physical health

The fact that the government has included Health China in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) to improve people's overall health shows that the Chinese people today are more aware of the importance of mental health.

Mental health has a big impact on a person's overall health, work efficiency and social well-being, which means sound mental health is vital to a person's overall development.

According to the 2017-18 National Mental Health Development in China report, the mental health conditions of the Chinese people vary among age groups, areas and socioeconomic conditions.

Adolescents and teenagers may face mental health issues such as low mood, which is an emotional state characterized by sadness, anxiety, low self-esteem, fatigue and frustration that in its most extreme form becomes a problem that impacts a person's daily life (usually referred to as depression).

Usually, the mental health condition of such people gradually improves through much of their adult lives. But it could deteriorate after they reach the threshold of old age when their physical and cognitive abilities start declining.

Mental health disorders, such as depression, are often evident during adolescence and early adulthood.

Since adolescents' mental health condition has a significant impact on their development, it is important that parents seek treatment for their condition as early as possible, preferably during adolescence itself.

Studies show mental illnesses in teens have been rising in recent years. But universities that have established counseling services to address the mental health issues of the students have helped many youths to overcome their condition.

Generally speaking, the mental health conditions of people in urban and rural areas present a different picture.

The mental health condition of urban residents is "better" compared with their counterparts in rural areas, even though many media reports have highlighted the increasing incidence of mental illness in cities.

Not surprisingly, people in China's eastern coastal region are more aware of the importance of mental health than other regions.

Besides, the lack of mental health resources has made it difficult for professionals to diagnose many people with mental illness in backward regions.

People whose income is relatively low and employment unstable are more vulnerable to mental illnesses. In addition, the novel coronavirus epidemic has had a huge impact on people's lives and mental well-being.

Secure employment and equal access to higher education are conducive to improving people's mental health, while abrupt changes to or alternations in education norms have a negative impact on the lives of individuals and could trigger a series of ailments including insomnia and depression among some people.

Factors such as excessive negative information and dwindling outdoor activities could increase the risk of mental illness, even exacerbate family conflicts.

And part of the reason for the increase in mental illnesses among adolescents are the lockdown and other strict measures that were implemented to contain the novel coronavirus, which forced students to stay away from school and outdoor activities.

Moreover, some surveys show that unemployed people face multi-fold risks of mental illnesses because of the economic stress and an uncertain future.

Internal and external factors both play a big role in people's mental health. People who face excessive pressure but lack adequate support from family and friends are more likely to suffer from anxiety, low self-esteem and/or frustration.

So to improve the mental health of the people, the authorities should provide convenient and free mental health services－including mental health counseling and publicizing mental health issues－especially for the underprivileged groups.

Since many people with depression usually become pessimistic about the future and are reluctant to seek professional help, for fear that doing so would have an adverse impact on their interpersonal relationship, family members, friends and/or social organizations should encourage them to do so.

It is also necessary to improve national mental health literacy, so people with mental illness seek timely and proper treatment, and people's overall health improves, which is essential to building a prosperous and harmonious society.

The author is a researcher on Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.