mental illness personal essay

16 Personal Essays About Mental Health Worth Reading

Here are some of the most moving and illuminating essays published on BuzzFeed about mental illness, wellness, and the way our minds work.

BuzzFeed Staff

1. My Best Friend Saved Me When I Attempted Suicide, But I Didn’t Save Her — Drusilla Moorhouse

"I was serious about killing myself. My best friend wasn’t — but she’s the one who’s dead."

2. Life Is What Happens While You’re Googling Symptoms Of Cancer — Ramona Emerson

"After a lifetime of hypochondria, I was finally diagnosed with my very own medical condition. And maybe, in a weird way, it’s made me less afraid to die."

3. How I Learned To Be OK With Feeling Sad — Mac McClelland

"It wasn’t easy, or cheap."

4. Who Gets To Be The “Good Schizophrenic”? — Esmé Weijun Wang

"When you’re labeled as crazy, the “right” kind of diagnosis could mean the difference between a productive life and a life sentence."

5. Why Do I Miss Being Bipolar? — Sasha Chapin

"The medication I take to treat my bipolar disorder works perfectly. Sometimes I wish it didn’t."

6. What My Best Friend And I Didn’t Learn About Loss — Zan Romanoff

"When my closest friend’s first baby was stillborn, we navigated through depression and grief together."

7. I Can’t Live Without Fear, But I Can Learn To Be OK With It — Arianna Rebolini

"I’ve become obsessively afraid that the people I love will die. Now I have to teach myself how to be OK with that."

8. What It’s Like Having PPD As A Black Woman — Tyrese Coleman

"It took me two years to even acknowledge I’d been depressed after the birth of my twin sons. I wonder how much it had to do with the way I had been taught to be strong."

9. Notes On An Eating Disorder — Larissa Pham

"I still tell my friends I am in recovery so they will hold me accountable."

10. What Comedy Taught Me About My Mental Illness — Kate Lindstedt

"I didn’t expect it, but stand-up comedy has given me the freedom to talk about depression and anxiety on my own terms."

11. The Night I Spoke Up About My #BlackSuicide — Terrell J. Starr

"My entire life was shaped by violence, so I wanted to end it violently. But I didn’t — thanks to overcoming the stigma surrounding African-Americans and depression, and to building a community on Twitter."

12. Knitting Myself Back Together — Alanna Okun

"The best way I’ve found to fight my anxiety is with a pair of knitting needles."

13. I Started Therapy So I Could Take Better Care Of Myself — Matt Ortile

"I’d known for a while that I needed to see a therapist. It wasn’t until I felt like I could do without help that I finally sought it."

14. I’m Mending My Broken Relationship With Food — Anita Badejo

"After a lifetime struggling with disordered eating, I’m still figuring out how to have a healthy relationship with my body and what I feed it."

15. I Found Love In A Hopeless Mess — Kate Conger

"Dehoarding my partner’s childhood home gave me a way to understand his mother, but I’m still not sure how to live with the habit he’s inherited."

16. When Taking Anxiety Medication Is A Revolutionary Act — Tracy Clayton

"I had to learn how to love myself enough to take care of myself. It wasn’t easy."

Topics in this article

• Mental Health

• Essay Editor

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.

Recent articles

Aithor's new brand identity.

Hello Aithors! We're here to share some exciting news with you. We've given ourselves a makeover, and we're thrilled to unveil our new brand identity! Our brand has always been about making AI-writing a seamless and secure experience. But we wanted our brand to really represent what we're all about: ease of use, speed, innovation, reliability, and a bit of rebelliousness. So, we’ve updated our look! Our new logo is a visual metaphor that uniquely combines the concepts of undetectability and sc ...

Interface is now available in Portuguese and Spanish

Hey aithors! We're excited to share with you that our interface is now available in Portuguese and Spanish. With more than 500 million Spanish and more than 250 million Portuguese speakers, we believe that this new update will enhance the experience on our platform. Our team worked closely with native speakers to make sure the translations considered all the nuances and peculiarities of the languages. For us, it’s a great opportunity to make Aithor as accessible as possible for users across th ...

• Arts & Life

My mental health journey: A personal essay

In Canada, January 30th is Bell Let’s Talk Day, which encourages conversations around mental health. For every text, call, tweet or snap that Canadians make using the #BellLetsTalk hashtag or filter, 5 cents are donated to mental health initiatives that are challenging the stigma around mental health. In light of this event, one of our staff writers shares his experience with mental health in this personal essay.

As I close my eyes and begin to reflect on my mental health journey, the images of tenth grade flip through my mind like snapshots from an invisible reel. When my classmates were enthusiastically answering questions in class, I sulked in my seat. When my classmates were sparking conversations with strangers and befriending them, I felt overwhelmed and crushed being around people I didn’t know. In addition, the heavy workload of the International Baccalaureate program I was in was draining my energy. I struggled every day — in classrooms, during lunch breaks, in the midst of homework assignments — in isolation.

I chose to sit in the very left corner of my classroom where I was least visible to the teacher and most of my classmates. I chose to eat lunch beside my locker, while spending the rest of the break hiding in the restrooms. I chose to pretend that I was sick on quiz and test days. I felt helpless and lost. Books didn’t interest me anymore. My grades dropped. I was stuck in my own prison of thoughts. I was afraid to talk to anyone. I was afraid that people would judge me. I was afraid to fail. I wanted to break away from this prison and free myself. But it was not easy and I gave up. I didn’t know what to do.

It was on one of those  dark days that I thought back to something that had once brought me real joy: a sport that I was passionate about in middle school. I could still feel the smile that had spread across my face that day that I had won the junior tournament. But after entering high school, everything that I was passionate about, including this beloved sport, were left to the wayside as I tried to adapt to a new environment. Realizing this, I snapped out of my thoughts, and locked eyes with the badminton racket in the corner of my room. I reached out for the racket, cleaned the dust off of it and I made the decision to join my high school’s badminton club.

When my racket hit the shuttle and a satisfying smashing sound filled the gym, I could feel the euphoric sensation- a rush of endorphins – liberating me from my stress. I felt surprisingly rejuvenated. My muscles were aching but I had a renewed desire to play badminton every day. I did not know how I was going to manage my time but I had to give it a try for a week. I just knew I had to do it.

A few weeks later, I found that I was pushing myself to do better after every strong stroke and every small win. I slowly but surely, regained my confidence, especially after having won a highly anticipated badminton tournament. This was truly a eureka moment for me. It made me think back to a speech Michelle Obama had made, where she stated that “for me, exercise is more than just physical, it’s therapeutic.” Exercise became my therapy. I could focus more on my academics and my grades improved.

My own mental health struggle made me wonder if we were over-diagnosing and over-treating mental health disorders or if lifestyle changes alone could boost mental health. This led me to research the benefits of physical activity in managing mild-to-moderate mental health concerns, especially depression and anxiety. The more I learned, the more I wanted to share this information with others. So much so that I metamorphosed into a mental health advocate.

I also decided to take an even more proactive role in the matter by founding a student-led provincial organization the Active Mental Health Initiative (AMHI), with the goal of raising awareness of the benefits of physical activity on mental health. Bringing students from across the province of Ontario, Canada together,  AMHI organizes symposiums and workshops to address the increasing rates of mental health problems that students currently face. With AMHI, we want to change the misconception that mental health is separate from physical health. In reality, both mental and physical health are deeply intertwined. Kate Middleton rightly said, ”A child’s mental health is just as important as their physical health and deserves the same quality of support.”

Seeing that January 30 is #BellLetsTalk day, I find myself thinking back to my own mental health experiences and those of other students quite often. It’s my hope that through the work we do with AMHI, everyone will have the opportunity to feel well, find time for self-care, sense the strong waves, develop and use their coping skills to surf the high tides and seek timely help. Please visit our website and our Facebook page for more information. Anyone interested in this initiative can start AMHI clubs in their high schools and facilitate “Healthy Mind Healthy Body” workshops at middle schools.  Join us in these ongoing projects and advocate for the cause of mental health.

Ishaan Sachdeva

Please note that opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views and values of The Blank Page.

Related Posts

Why I started my politically-charged YouTube series

Special feature: a glimpse into the lovely mind, the positive impact yoga has on mental health, feature: on mental illness in medical school.

Depression: One of the greatest threats of our time

Is ‘spiritual health’ a thing, the many reasons why.

Can music help us sleep?

What we fail to understand about mental illness, stressed out start colouring..

• Social Integrity
• Submit Content
• Social Media Account Request
• x (twitter)

• © 2024 The Regents of the University of Michigan

U-M Social Media

• X (Twitter)

My Mental Health Story: A Student Reflects on Her Recovery Journey

In honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to share my story in the hope that it resonates with some of you. Hearing other peoples’ stories has been one of the strongest motivators in my recovery journey. Seeing other people be vulnerable has given me bravery to do so as well. So, I share what I have learned not from a place of having all the answers. Quite the opposite, in fact; I don’t really believe there are any concrete answers to confronting a mental health struggle. Each is unique and deserves to be treated that way. However, I do hope that in sharing my personal realizations, it resonates with someone and pushes them just one step closer to living their most authentic life — the life we all deserve to live.  

I have struggled with an eating disorder and anxiety for most of my teen and adult life. I was formally diagnosed (otherwise known as the time it became too obvious to hide from my parents and doctor) with anorexia nervosa and generalized anxiety disorder at the beginning of my junior year of high school. Under the careful care of my parents and my treatment team, I was able to keep things ~mostly~ under control. I stayed in school, continued playing sports, and participated in extracurricular activities. 

Then, I went away to college. Coming to Michigan, 10 hours away from my home in New York, I was entirely on my own for the first time in my life. And for the first time in my life, I felt free. Or, at least I thought I did. I was ecstatic to be at Michigan. It was my dream school and I was determined to make the best of it, leaving no opportunity unexplored. I threw myself into commitments left and right. Club rowing team, sorority, and a business club, piled on top of the full course load of classes I was taking. And all of that was in addition to merely existing as a freshman — navigating dorm life at Bursley, making friends, finding my place at a huge school. 

The thing is, I genuinely thought I was thriving. Getting involved, making great friends, and performing well in my classes is pretty much the best-case scenario for first semester freshman year. I couldn’t see that I was being crushed under an avalanche of essays, exams, club meetings, practices, and parties. Sleep was a luxury and self care was foreign. There was a battle being fought inside my head 24/7, a battle that most of the time I was losing. I was slowly disappearing. Barely held together by the anxiety driving me to chase perfection and an eating disorder to feel a sense of control amidst uncertainty run rampant. 

When I returned home for Thanksgiving, the first time since leaving in August, my parents saw through my facade of good grades, involvement, and fun stories. It was obvious I needed help. They wanted me to stay home. But there were only two weeks left of the semester. There was absolutely no way I was going to leave all of my hard work unfinished. I made a deal, if they let me return to Ann Arbor and finish the semester, I would seek treatment when I came home for winter break. They agreed. 

When I returned home I completed the intake process at The Renfrew Center for Eating Disorders. Then, I awaited their recommendation. 

Residential. 

A treatment center 4 hours away from my home, living with about 40 other women also working toward recovery. Days filled with therapy groups, one after another. I would be there for weeks, months even. 

A whirlwind of thoughts ran through my head…

I cannot miss school. I’ll fall behind and never be able to catch up. 

Your mind is exhausted, you barely finished this semester.

I have leadership positions in my club and my sorority, I can’t just abandon them. 

Someone else will have the opportunity to fulfill the position better than you can right now.

I’ll miss precious time with my friends. They will grow closer without me. 

You weren’t fully present with them. Your mind was constantly at war with itself.

I am stronger than this. I can do this on my own. 

Why are you so determined to be alone? Accept help, you need it desperately.

Other people have it so much worse than I do. Getting help would be selfish. 

You getting help does not make anyone else less worthy of getting help.

Perhaps your bravery will encourage someone else to do the same.

Nothing bad has happened to me. I haven’t hit rock bottom. 

Why can’t this be your rock bottom?

Is it not enough that you are fighting a battle inside your brain every second of every day?

Is it not enough that your weight has dropped to less than what it was when you were 10 years old?

Is it not enough that you are relentlessly freezing or that your hair is falling out in large clumps?

Is it not enough that you feel exhausted all the time or that you get dizzy when you stand up?

Is it not enough that you are in danger of going into cardiac arrest?

What more are you searching for?

It was the following statement, from my therapist, that finally got through to me: 

“Rock bottom is death, do you realize that? The only difference between where you are right now and rock bottom is that you still have a second chance.”

I agreed to go to residential treatment and accept the level of care that I needed, taking off the second semester of my freshman year. I arrived at the Renfrew Center in Philadelphia, bags packed without knowing how long I was staying, feeling terrified and alone. The road ahead of me was dauntingly long but I finally made the decision to put my needs first. Leaving school, no matter how painful right now, would allow me to return as more myself. Without an ongoing battle inside my head, I could be present with my friends, get the most out of my classes, and truly enjoy campus life. 

My recovery journey has been anything but smooth. In residential treatment I found support in the community of women fighting for the lives they deserved to live, just as I was. They welcomed me, inspired me, and gave me hope. In therapy I have confronted the most painful beliefs I had about myself, ones that had kept me paralyzed for years. Untangling my authentic self from my eating disorder, rewriting my narrative, learning to feel again. Creating a motivation that was internal. I gained the necessary skills to take recovery into the real world, into a life of true independence and freedom. 

Today, almost three years later, I am living my second chance. It is a fight I have vowed to never give up. 

The following is a collection of the most important things I have learned throughout my journey… 

• I am worthy of being helped. It is okay to ask for help. 

Aching for independence, this was not an easy realization. However, the more and more I let my eating disorder take over my thoughts, the less independent I became. Accepting help was the first step in regaining my independence and fighting for myself. At the time I saw it as a moment of weakness. Now, I see it only as a sign of strength. We are all worthy and deserving of help. Ask for it, accept it, let it move you forward. 

• I always have time for the things that are important to me. 

As high-achieving and driven students, I’m sure many of you can relate to the “not enough time” backtrack constantly playing in your thoughts. It’s not true. Yes, I acknowledge that time is a limited resource. And that we all have commitments. But you are in control of how you decide to spend your time. I’m not saying you can do everything; that is impossible. Rather, I am advocating for intentional decisions about your time. What nourishes you? What makes you feel alive and energized? If something truly matters, make time for it.

• Life isn’t black and white. The depth and richness of life exist in the gray. 

I was a perfectionist paralyzed by indecision. No matter how much research and consulting others I did, it was never enough. Yet the one person whose opinion I always seemed to neglect was my own. Why did I so readily trust the opinions of others (or the Internet) and not myself? One thing that helped me begin to rebuild trust with myself was to stop thinking about things as solely black and white, a right choice and a wrong choice. Instead, I had options and information. Information about myself and information about each option. All I could do was make the best choice given the information and options I had at the current moment. There is no way to make a “wrong” choice if you can think about each decision as an opportunity to learn more about yourself. 

• I write my own story. And how I narrate it matters. 

In untangling and rewriting my internal narrative, I have found that even the smallest shifts can make an incredible difference. I stopped saying things “happened to me.” I am the object of this sentence. A passive being in my own life. Instead, I say, “I lived through this.” I am the subject. I am active and empowered. I have agency. 

The way we think shapes our perception. And the way we think is dictated by the words we choose to narrate our lives. We have the power to change our thoughts by changing our narration. Narrate wisely.

Written by #UMSocial intern and Michigan Ross senior Keara Kotten

• Contact | Submit Content

Office of the Vice President for Communications

Writing College Essays about Mental Health in the Context of the Pandemic

Written by Vanessa Garrido on July 7th, 2022

• writing college essays ,
• mental health ,
• Weigh your pros and cons, which may look something like:
• Pro: You are providing the admission office and student services with a fuller picture of your needs and circumstances as they relate to your mental health. If a college doesn’t feel it can support you, the school is not going to be a great fit for you.
• Con: Reducing your mental health challenges down to a 650-word essay is not likely to capture the full complexity of your experience. Your essay will only reveal a sliver of this facet of your life and may be misread or misinterpreted.
• Ask yourself these questions if you’re considering writing about your mental health:
• Are you currently in the midst of your mental health challenges? The personal statement is intended to give you an opportunity to shine light on your growth. If you’re managing something as complex as depression or an eating disorder, it can be challenging to focus on the growth. Your college essay might not be the ideal place to process the relevant feelings and issues. You may want to explore a different topic and address your mental health through journaling, talk therapy, etc.
• What positive personal qualities do you want to highlight, and is this topic the best way to let these traits shine? Remember, this is the one story about you most admission officers will have access to. Is this the one story you want to share?
• What is your perspective? How might you share a story that will be a vibrant, authentic take on something that is affecting a large swath of the population?
• How have you changed? How has this experienced helped you become the person you are today? What do you want your readers to take away?
• Identify ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences)
• Mental Health Resources for Adolescents and Young Adults from SAHM
• SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) Helpline and Resources
• National Institute of Mental Health
• Mental Health First Aid training for teens

When is the right time to get started? How can you keep my child on track? Get all the answers to your most pressing questions.

amet, adipisicing elit sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt?

Follow these pre-application steps to help your student stay on track for admissions success., related resources.

Read | Posted on November 17th, 2023

Are Optional College Essays Really Optional?

Read | Posted on November 6th, 2023

4 Tips for Writing the University of California Essays

Read | Posted on September 21st, 2023

Speak Your Truth: Sharing Your Identity in College Essays

Browse categories.

• Applying For Financial Aid
• Choosing The Right College
• College Admissions Consulting
• College Applications
• College Coach Mentionables: News & Events
• College Entrance Exams
• College Essays
• College Loan Advice
• College Visits
• Finding Scholarships
• How To Pay For College
• Meet a College Finance Expert
• Meet An Admissions Counselor
• Uncategorized

Interested?

Call 877-402-6224   or complete the form for information on getting your student started with one of our experts.

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

Should You Talk About Mental Health in College Essays?

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by Shravya Kakulamarri in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info.

What’s Covered:

What are you required to disclose in your application.

• Should You Include Mental Health History in Your Application?

How to Talk about Mental Health in College Applications

Taking care of your health in college.

Many students wonder if they should discuss mental health or disability in their college applications. Mental health history or a disability might be an integral part of who a student is, but that doesn’t necessarily make it relevant to a college application. Keep in mind that it is actually illegal for colleges to ask for these types of details about your life because it can be considered discrimination. So, colleges will never directly ask if you’ve had any sort of mental health issue or if you’ve ever had a disability. Based on this reason alone, you are not required to disclose mental or physical health concerns on your application. 

Disclosing your mental or physical health is strictly a matter of personal choice. If you leave out this information, it is not lying and 100% within your legal right to do so. 

Should You Include Mental Health History in Your Application? 

Before you choose whether to disclose your history of mental health or disability, you should think about the purpose of a college application. Everything that you put in your college application should contribute to an overall positive image of who you are as a student and member of the community. 

You usually don’t want to hide integral parts of who you are, but you also don’t want to be sharing challenges that are not going to strengthen your application. This is true not only for mental health or disabilities but also for academics, extracurriculars, and other experiences. Normally, students don’t bring up the time that they got a C or D in a class on their application. Everything that you include on your application should paint the most positive image of you possible. You always want to put your best foot forward and keep the focus on your strengths. 

You don’t want colleges to doubt your ability to succeed and perform well under pressure. If you mention any mental health concerns, they might use that as a way to question if you will do well at their school and be able to handle their rigorous course load. While colleges are supportive of their students’ mental health challenges and provide resources and services, you don’t want their first impression of you on your application to be something that makes them uncertain of your abilities. So, keep this in mind when deciding whether to disclose your mental health history. 

If you decide to include your mental health or disability history in your application , there are specific aspects of your experience that you should focus on. Rather than talking about the mental illness itself, focus more on the recovery and management aspects and what you have learned from the experience. 

Discuss things like how you have grown and the coping methods that you have cultivated due to the experience. These will give the admissions officer an idea of the types of strategies that you’ll likely use in college anytime that you encounter a stressful situation. 

Overall, if you choose to talk about mental health in your applications, focus on the learning and growth that you’ve gained because of it. 

Mental health is an important part of your well-being, and it’s essential to start good habits in high school . This way, you’ll be better prepared to cope when you face new challenges in college. You’ll likely be experiencing living on your own for the first time and have new responsibilities without the same support system that you had at home. It’s crucial to learn how to take care of your mental health early.

Fortunately, most students will have many resources at college to help them through mental health challenges. If you’re dealing with any mental health struggles, there is usually an office of wellness where you can schedule a time to see a therapist. This is usually provided with your school’s health insurance. If this is something that you are concerned about for your college experience, make sure to look into what mental health resources each college provides before applying. 

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

• College Prep
• Study Skills
• Career & Continuing Ed
• Online Learning
• Student Life
• Study Abroad
• Sponsorships
• Scholarships
• Student Group Shoutout
• Latest in Learning
• Success This Semester
• Educators Making an Impact
• Education News

How to Write a Mental Health in College Students Essay

We are a reader-supported education publication. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission to help us keep providing content.

Writing is a skill that takes time to build. Essays force you to practice research, critical thinking and communication skills – college is the perfect time for you to practice these. However, there’s only so much you can learn about writing through preparation. If you’ve been assigned an essay on mental health, you may not be sure where to begin. You might also wonder if you should choose mental health as a topic for a college paper. Here’s how to write a “mental health in college students” essay. 

• What Not to Do

If you’re trying to choose a topic for a college application essay, mental health is usually not the way to go. Your personal statement should show colleges why you’re the best candidate to attend their school. Because many students write about mental health , your essay may get lost in the crowd. In addition, your mental health journey is only a part of who you are. 

It can be difficult for many students to write about personal mental struggles without seeming overdramatic. Unless mental health struggles have shaped your whole life, it’s best to discuss other topics. If you mention mental health, stay brief and matter-of-fact. Don’t let it become the whole point of your essay. 

• Review the Instructions

If you’re writing this essay for a college course, start by looking over the assignment instructions. Don’t just listen to what your teacher says – look up the assignment on the syllabus to see if you can find a rubric or other relevant information. 

Highlight the important points to make sure you know what matters to your professor. The instructions are parameters you can operate in to create an essay you enjoy. Make sure you check word count, essay structure and review corrections on past essays. If you’re confused about something, don’t hesitate to ask your professor for clarification. 

• Do the Research 

Regardless of what class you’re writing for, this is the kind of topic that requires hard numbers. You don’t want to make general claims about rates of student anxiety or mental illness – to be credible, you need specifics. Be careful with your wording to avoid all-or-nothing statements. Everyone experiences mental health differently. 

Your professor may or may not allow you to pick the specific mental health topic you write about. However, you can ensure that your paper is well-researched and organized clearly. Before you start writing, create at least a basic outline showing the flow of ideas. This will make the writing phase much faster because you’ll always know what to say next. 

• Write It Out 

Writer’s block often stems from perfectionism. This paper won’t be perfect the first time, so don’t worry about writing it perfectly! Start with an interesting line that gets your reader’s attention and make sure you have a clear thesis statement. Taken by itself, this sentence should describe the contents of your entire paper. 

Build your paragraphs to the right word length by using specific examples. You should start each paragraph with a topic sentence that takes your reader one step in your paper’s argument. Then, describe a specific example that further explains this idea. You can find specific examples in your research or simply explain more about what you mean. 

• Edit Your Work

Editing is an important final step before you turn an essay in. It gives you an opportunity to look at your writing as a whole and ensure everything makes sense. If possible, you should set your first draft aside for a while before you reread it. This will help you see your work with fresh eyes so you can edit it. 

Editing involves strengthening your paper’s organization, rewriting specific sentences and checking for errors. You should make major edits first and then do a final read-through to catch punctuation and spelling mistakes. It can be helpful to read your paper out loud or have a friend look it over as well. 

One Key Takeaway for Writing a Mental Health in College Students Essay

Many students struggle with mental health while in school. Whatever topic you choose and however you organize your essay, make sure to write it with a sensitive tone. This topic is nuanced and shouldn’t be treated as a black-and-white issue. Write from an informed and compassionate point of view and offer your readers hope. 

Use this guide to write an essay on mental health in college students that astounds and delights your professor. Putting in the work will build research and communication skills you’ll use for years – whether you’re a psychology major, a premed student or studying the arts at school. 

Get the latest updates in learning, teaching and everything in between! Whether you're a student or an educator, we offer the inspiration you need to fuel your classroom experience.

Join Our Newsletter

Ginger Abbot is the writer, founder and Editor-in-Chief behind Classrooms. Through her work, she hopes to inspire students, grads, and educators on their own journey through learning. Find her professional portfolio here: https://classrooms.com/professional-portfolio-of-ginger-abbot/

Search Classrooms.com

Browse by category.

• Educating 98
• Experience 106
• Higher Learning Highlights 11
• Learning 237
• Student Funding 32

Latest News

How to Get Local Business Sponsorship for School Events

What Is the Future of IoT in Education?

The Complete Guide to FAFSA for Law School

5 Major Issues in Education Today

Does Withdrawing From a Class Look Bad?

What Companies Do Sponsorships for Student Groups?

Keep up with the latest in learning, more to learn.

Why Is English Such a Good Major?

How to Change Your Major: 5 Easy Steps

What Master’s Programs Can I Pursue With an English Degree?

A Guide to Understanding Total Credit Hours On a Transcript

Mental Health in Context: A Personal Reflection

Introduction.

Mental health has received a great deal of attention in recent years, highlighting the need for a more thorough knowledge of mental health in many social situations (Howard & Khalifeh, 2020). As I consider the materials and assignments offered in Modules One and Two, I am driven to investigate the topic of mental health from a personal view in various social situations. In addition, I spoke with a family member from a different generation to gain their perspective on the issue since their perspective may give essential insights into how society’s approach to mental health has changed in this essay. I will discuss my personal views as well as those of a family member, as well as an example of the CEO’s response to an employee’s complaint.

Understanding Mental Health in Social Contexts

Before we delve into the conversation with my family member and the case study of the CEO’s response to an employee’s mental health request, it is essential to understand the broader context of mental health in society. Mental health exists on a range, and it is crucial to recognize that every individual falls somewhere on this spectrum (Keeley, 2021). This understanding is fundamental when discussing mental health, as it emphasizes the uniqueness of each person’s experience and challenges the stigmatization of mental health conditions.

Personal Reflections

Based on my knowledge and understanding of mental health, I believe it is not a plastic term. I have come across friends and coworkers who have struggled with mental illness throughout the years, and each one has a unique tale to relate to. Some fought in private, while others sought assistance in public. Despite the fact that society’s opinion of and support for mental health is changing, we are still a long way from removing the stigma. Given my reactions to persons suffering from mental illnesses, I must admit that my understanding has grown. In my younger years, I could have been less empathic and more prone to misinterpreting or even criticizing people in need; however, as I become more familiar with the complexity of mental health. I learnt to approach people with empathy, putting their humanity ahead of their circumstances.

My Family Member’s Perspective

I met with my late fifties uncle to obtain a multigenerational perspective on mental health. He shared his thoughts on how mental health was seen when he was younger and how it has grown through time. My uncle said that when he was younger, mental health was a taboo issue (Ali et al., n.d.). He recalled the prevalent idea that individuals should “tough it out” and that seeking treatment for mental health difficulties was generally viewed as a sign of weakness.

As the talk progressed, my uncle told a personal anecdote of a close friend who experienced severe mental health difficulties in the 1980s. His friend’s hardship mainly remained hidden, and when he did seek aid, he was faced with suspicion and a scarcity of resources. As a result, his friend’s agony was prolonged, and help was fatally delayed.

My uncle went on to express his delight that attitudes about mental health had shifted dramatically in recent years. He stated that society today recognizes the significance of discussing mental health freely and without shame. He also emphasized how the availability of services and support networks has grown, making it easier for people to get the help they require. He highlighted the need to treat people with self-respect and kindness regardless of their mental condition.

CEO’s Response to an Employee’s Mental Health Request

The example of a CEO’s response to an employee’s mental health request, as reported by News.com.au in 2017, exemplifies the obstacles and advancements in understanding mental health in social situations. The CEO’s email answer to an employee’s request for a “mental health day” in the article went viral, eliciting both acclaim and condemnation (AU, 2017).

The CEO began by acknowledging the employee’s request and expressing support for the significance of mental wellness. However, it also conveyed suspicion, implying that the employee’s generation was too sensitive. The CEO mentioned that taking time off for mental health would not have been considered during his early career. He ended the email with a message of encouragement but cautioned the employee to anticipate a different level of empathy from all future employers.

This instance demonstrates numerous critical issues of mental health in social environments (Low et al., 2020). For starters, it reflects shifting views regarding mental health, in which people are more upfront about their issues and the necessity of resolving them. The employee’s request demonstrates the rising importance of mental health in the workplace.

However, the CEO’s reaction highlights the age divide in mental health awareness. While the CEO offered his support, he also expressed concern about the younger generation’s attitude towards mental health (Grob, 2019). This highlights the difficulties of linking the generational divide in understanding mental health as well as the necessity for ongoing education and awareness.

Furthermore, the CEO’s speech raises worries about the level of help that individuals may expect in various social circumstances. While the CEO acknowledged the importance of mental health, his statement about future firms not being as understanding shows that support may not be consistent across different organizations. This difference emphasizes the need for more comprehensive and consistent professional mental health help techniques.

Support and Complications in Mental Health.

As I reflect on the personal and generational perspectives on mental health, it is evident that progress has been made in recognizing its importance. However, there are still various levels of support and complications that individuals face when living with a mental health condition (Organization, 2022).

Support Systems:  Mental illness support services include therapy, counselling, drugs, and community services. Companies are introducing mental health initiatives to support employees, but the quality and availability of these services may vary depending on geographical location, financial resources, and employment climate.

Stigma:  Despite progress, mental health stigma persists, with many fearing judgment or discrimination. The CEO’s response to an employee’s request highlights the need for ongoing education and awareness to eradicate this stigma despite a more welcoming culture. Addressing antiquated attitudes towards mental health is crucial for a more inclusive and practical approach.

Intersectionality:  A personal perspective emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the overlapping variables that influence mental health experiences, such as gender, race, financial level and cultural background, to ensure individuals receive appropriate help and overcome challenges.

Preventive Measures:  While there is a greater emphasis on assisting those who already have mental health issues, there is still work to be done in terms of prevention. Stress management and resilience building should be emphasized as part of our society’s approach to mental health. In this sense, education and awareness initiatives might be beneficial.

Mental health, a complex and evolving concept, necessitates a ‘person first perspective’ for comprehensive understanding across diverse social contexts (Blakemore, 2019). Reflecting on my journey, insights from my family members, and the CEO’s response to an employee’s mental health request, it’s evident that strides have been made in recognizing mental health’s significance. However, we must persist in DE stigmatization, bridge generational understanding gaps, and ensure consistent support for those with mental health conditions. Our commitment to education, preventive measures, and fostering a society where individuals are treated with empathy and respect, irrespective of their mental health, can pave the way for a future where mental well-being is valued (Patnaik, 2021).

REFERENCES.

Ali, S., Harrichand, J., Shillingford, M., & Herbert, L. (n.d.). A Qualitative Investigation of Guyanese American Perceptions of Mental Health.  The Professional Counselor TM ,  13 (1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.15241/sa.13.1.1

AU, N. (2017, July 11).  Sick days for mental health get unexpected response from CEO . NewsComAu. https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/ceos-reply-to-employee-mental-health-sick-day-email-goes-viral/news-story/8a0b4fd691dd5360cdd201e6e49a5e91

Blakemore, S.-J. (2019). Adolescence and mental health.  The Lancet ,  393 (10185), 2030–2031. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(19)31013-x

Grob, G. N. (2019). Mental Illness and American Society, 1875-1940. In  Google Books . Princeton University Press. https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=X1mYDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR9&dq=he+also+expressed+concern+about+the+younger+generation%27s+attitude+towards+mental+health&ots=DtEhFS185b&sig=gpNC3x_JyXVy7_Se3f50dlHJXOc&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false

Howard, L. M., & Khalifeh, H. (2020). Perinatal Mental health: a Review of Progress and Challenges.  World Psychiatry ,  19 (3), 313–327. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20769

Keeley, B. (2021). The State of the World’s Children 2021: On My Mind–Promoting, Protecting and Caring for Children’s Mental Health. In  ERIC . UNICEF. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED615261

Low, D. M., Rumker, L., Talkar, T., Torous, J., Cecchi, G., & Ghosh, S. S. (2020). Natural Language Processing Reveals Vulnerable Mental Health Support Groups and Heightened Health Anxiety on Reddit During COVID-19: Observational Study.  Journal of Medical Internet Research ,  22 (10), e22635. https://doi.org/10.2196/22635

Organization, W. H. (2022, June 16).  World mental health report: transforming mental health for all . Archive.hshsl.umaryland.edu. https://archive.hshsl.umaryland.edu/handle/10713/20295

Patnaik, D. G. (2021). Positive Psychology for Improving Mental Health & Well-Being. In  Google Books . Notion Press. https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=XLEcEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT5&dq=Our+commitment+to+education

Cite This Work

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:

Related Essays

Communication and collaborative strategies in the surgical department setting, criminological theory critique, case analysis – emergency department complications at chester hill regional hospital, assessing the trends and implications of police-involved shootings, pros and cons of a sports management degree, understanding the methods of deception in human trafficking, popular essay topics.

• American Dream
• Artificial Intelligence
• Black Lives Matter
• Bullying Essay
• Career Goals Essay
• Causes of the Civil War
• Child Abusing
• Civil Rights Movement
• Community Service
• Cultural Identity
• Cyber Bullying
• Death Penalty
• Depression Essay
• Domestic Violence
• Freedom of Speech
• Global Warming
• Gun Control
• Human Trafficking
• I Believe Essay
• Immigration
• Importance of Education
• Israel and Palestine Conflict
• Leadership Essay
• Legalizing Marijuanas
• Mental Health
• National Honor Society
• Police Brutality
• Pollution Essay
• Racism Essay
• Romeo and Juliet
• Same Sex Marriages
• Social Media
• The Great Gatsby
• The Yellow Wallpaper
• Time Management
• To Kill a Mockingbird
• Violent Video Games
• What Makes You Unique
• Why I Want to Be a Nurse
• Send us an e-mail

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

• Mental Health Essay

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.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

How Exercise Strengthens Your Brain

Physical activity improves cognitive and mental health in all sorts of ways. Here’s why, and how to reap the benefits.

By Dana G. Smith

Growing up in the Netherlands, Henriette van Praag had always been active, playing sports and riding her bike to school every day. Then, in the late-1990s, while working as a staff scientist at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in San Diego, she discovered that exercise can spur the growth of new brain cells in mature mice. After that, her approach to exercise changed.

“I started to take it more seriously,” said Dr. van Praag, now an associate professor of biomedical science at Florida Atlantic University. Today, that involves doing CrossFit and running five or six miles several days a week.

Whether exercise can cause new neurons to grow in adult humans — a feat previously thought impossible, and a tantalizing prospect to treat neurodegenerative diseases — is still up for debate . But even if it’s not possible, physical activity is excellent for your brain, improving mood and cognition through “a plethora” of cellular changes, Dr. van Praag said.

What are some of the benefits, specifically?

Exercise offers short-term boosts in cognition. Studies show that immediately after a bout of physical activity, people perform better on tests of working memory and other executive functions . This may be in part because movement increases the release of neurotransmitters in the brain, most notably epinephrine and norepinephrine.

“These kinds of molecules are needed for paying attention to information,” said Marc Roig, an associate professor in the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy at McGill University. Attention is essential for working memory and executive functioning, he added.

The neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin are also released with exercise, which is thought to be a main reason people often feel so good after going for a run or a long bike ride.

The brain benefits really start to emerge, though, when we work out consistently over time. Studies show that people who work out several times a week have higher cognitive test scores, on average, than people who are more sedentary. Other research has found that a person’s cognition tends to improve after participating in a new aerobic exercise program for several months.

Dr. Roig added the caveat that the effects on cognition aren’t huge, and not everyone improves to the same degree. “You cannot acquire a super memory just because you exercised,” he said.

Physical activity also benefits mood . People who work out regularly report having better mental health than people who are sedentary. And exercise programs can be effective at treating people’s depression, leading some psychiatrists and therapists to prescribe physical activity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week is a good benchmark.

Perhaps most remarkable, exercise offers protection against neurodegenerative diseases. “Physical activity is one of the health behaviors that’s shown to be the most beneficial for cognitive function and reducing risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia,” said Michelle Voss, an associate professor of psychological and brain sciences at the University of Iowa.

How does exercise do all that?

It starts with the muscles. When we work out, they release molecules that travel through the blood up to the brain. Some, like a hormone called irisin, have “neuroprotective” qualities and have been shown to be linked to the cognitive health benefits of exercise, said Christiane Wrann, an associate professor of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School who studies irisin . (Dr. Wrann is also a consultant for a pharmaceutical company, Aevum Therapeutics, hoping to harness irisin’s effects into a drug.)

Good blood flow is essential to obtain the benefits of physical activity. And conveniently, exercise improves circulation and stimulates the growth of new blood vessels in the brain. “It’s not just that there’s increased blood flow,” Dr. Voss said. “It’s that there’s a greater chance, then, for signaling molecules that are coming from the muscle to get delivered to the brain.”

Once these signals are in the brain, other chemicals are released locally. The star of the show is a hormone called brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or B.D.N.F., that is essential for neuron health and creating new connections — called synapses — between neurons. “It’s like a fertilizer for brain cells to recover from damage,” Dr. Voss said. “And also for synapses on nerve cells to connect with each other and sustain those connections.”

A greater number of blood vessels and connections between neurons can actually increase the size of different brain areas. This effect is especially noticeable in older adults because it can offset the loss of brain volume that happens with age. The hippocampus, an area important for memory and mood, is particularly affected. “We know that it shrinks with age,” Dr. Roig said. “And we know that if we exercise regularly, we can prevent this decline.”

Exercise’s effect on the hippocampus may be one way it helps protect against Alzheimer’s disease, which is associated with significant changes to that part of the brain. The same goes for depression; the hippocampus is smaller in people who are depressed, and effective treatments for depression , including medications and exercise, increase the size of the region.

What kind of exercise is best for your brain?

The experts emphasized that any exercise is good, and the type of activity doesn’t seem to matter, though most of the research has involved aerobic exercise. But, they added, higher-intensity workouts do appear to confer a bigger benefit for the brain.

Improving your overall cardiovascular fitness level also appears to be key. “It’s dose-dependent,” Dr. Wrann said. “The more you can improve your cardiorespiratory fitness, the better the benefits are.”

Like Dr. van Praag, Dr. Voss has incorporated her research into her life, making a concerted effort to engage in higher intensity exercise. For example, on busy days when she can’t fit in a full workout, she’ll seek out hills to bike up on her commute to work. “Even if it’s a little,” she said, “it’s still better than nothing.”

Dana G. Smith is a Times reporter covering personal health, particularly aging and brain health. More about Dana G. Smith

Let Us Help You Pick Your Next Workout

Looking for a new way to get moving we have plenty of options..

To develop a sustainable exercise habit, experts say it helps to tie your workout to something or someone .

Viral online exercise challenges might get you in shape in the short run, but they may not help you build sustainable healthy habits. Here’s what fitness fads get wrong .

Does it really matter how many steps you take each day? The quality of the steps you take might be just as important as the amount .

Is your workout really working for you? Take our quiz to find out .

To help you start moving, we tapped fitness pros for advice on setting realistic goals for exercising  and actually enjoying yourself.

You need more than strength to age well — you also need power. Here’s how to measure how much you have  and here’s how to increase yours .

Pick the Right Equipment With Wirecutter’s Recommendations

Want to build a home gym? These five things can help you transform your space  into a fitness center.

Transform your upper-body workouts with a simple pull-up bar  and an adjustable dumbbell set .

Choosing the best  running shoes  and running gear can be tricky. These tips  make the process easier.

A comfortable sports bra can improve your overall workout experience. These are the best on the market .

Few things are more annoying than ill-fitting, hard-to-use headphones. Here are the best ones for the gym  and for runners .

25,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Meet top uk universities from the comfort of your home, here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

• School Education /

Importance of Mental Health Essay

• Updated on  
• Apr 9, 2024

Essay on the Importance of Mental Health : A person in good mental health may learn and work efficiently, overcome obstacles in life, realise their full potential, and contribute back to their community. It is an essential component of health and welfare that upholds our ability to make decisions, build relationships, and have an impact on the world around us both as people and as a society. A fundamental human right is mental health. Furthermore, it is for socio-economic, communal, and personal growth.

Quick Read: 200+ Essay Topics for Students

Table of Contents

• 1.1 Understanding Mental Health and Its Importance
• 1.2 Benefits of Good Mental Health
• 1.3 Conclusion
• 2 100-word Paragraph on the Importance of Mental Health

Essay on the Importance of Mental Health in 500 Words

Mental wellness goes beyond simply being free from mental illness. Everybody experiences it differently, and it falls on a complex range with varying degrees of difficulty and distress, in addition to perhaps having quite distinct social and therapeutic impacts.

Mental health issues encompass a range of mental states and disorders, including psychosocial disabilities and mental disorders, that are linked to considerable suffering, impaired functioning, or self-harm risk. Although it’s not always the case, people with mental health disorders are more likely to have lower levels of mental well-being.

Quick Read: Healthy Food Essay in English in School Students

Understanding Mental Health and Its Importance

An emotionally calm and fit individual can handle emotionally challenging circumstances with ease and always feels lively and fully alive. One needs to be physically fit to be emotionally powerful. Even though mental health is a personal matter and what affects one person may not affect another, mental health problems are often caused by several important factors.

Our emotional state, such as anger, depression, fear, irritation, and negative thinking, impacts how fit we are. Regular exercise contributes to a high level of physical fitness because physically fit people are happier and more capable of handling stressful and depressing conditions.

It is suggested that mental fitness entails psychological well-being. It indicates feeling good about our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, all of which enhance our capacity to enjoy life. It strengthens the inner capacity for self-determination. It is a proactive, optimistic term that eschews any potential negative ideas. Cognitive fitness is widely used to characterise the capacity for reason, comprehension, and rational thought by psychologists, mental health professionals, corporations, educational institutions, and the general public.

Quick Read: Essay on Drug Abuse in English

Benefits of Good Mental Health

Numerous advantages of good mental health support general well-being and quality of life. The first benefit is that it increases resilience, which makes it simpler for people to handle the highs and lows of life. Resilience fosters self-development and fortitude in the face of adversity, making it feasible to effectively manage stressors and adapt to differences and barriers. Additionally, a person’s ability to effectively manage negative emotions like sadness or anxiety as well as several positive emotions like contentment, happiness, and peace are all made possible by having good mental health. 

Furthermore, the establishment and upkeep of wholesome relationships are critically dependent on mental health. People who are in good mental health have good communication skills, empathy, and support for one another, which promote relationships and interactions that are constructive. Additionally, there is a strong correlation between better mental and physical health outcomes. People who place a high priority on their mental health are also more likely to practice healthy habits that improve physical health overall and lower their risk of disease, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and enough sleep. Finally, mental health improves performance and productivity across a range of life domains, including work, school, and personal objectives. Better concentration, judgement, and creativity are fostered by a focused and clear mind, which eventually results in greater success and fulfilment.

The general well-being and quality of life are contingent upon mental health. One of the body’s most potent organs, the mind, controls how every other organ functions. Our body as a whole works differently when our minds are unsettled. Being in excellent mental and physical condition is the key to success in anything in life. People should emphasise preserving the state of their minds in the same manner that they manage their physical well-being, given the adverse effects of mental illness. The physical and mental states of an individual are inextricably linked.

Quick Read: Essay on Labour Day

100-word Paragraph on the Importance of Mental Health

Quick Read: Essay on Mental Health in English

Ans: Elements of mental well-being include psychological, social, and emotional health. It affects our feelings, thoughts, and actions. It affects our capacity for stress management, social interaction, and intelligent decision-making. Every stage of life—from childhood and adolescence to adulthood—values mental health.

Ans: Some advice for enhancing your mental health Make an effort to de-stress. Look for methods to be creative and learn. Take some time to enjoy the outdoors. Make connections with other people. Take care of your physical well-being. Make an effort to get better sleep.

Ans: Organisations around the world will have the opportunity to come together in observance of World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2024, with the theme “Mental health is a universal human right.” 

Check out our Popular Essay Topics for Students

For more information on such interesting topics, visit our essay writing page and follow Leverage Edu.

Aaysuhi Vardhan

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Contact no. *

Connect With Us

25,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today.

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

January 2024

September 2024

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

Have something on your mind?

Make your study abroad dream a reality in January 2022 with

India's Biggest Virtual University Fair

Essex Direct Admission Day

Why attend .

Don't Miss Out

• Health Care

The Menstrual Mood Disorder You’ve Never Heard About

E ver since she was a teenager, Tanya knew her mood swings were a problem. She had periodic bouts of anger and depression that left her wanting to die. Her life was a roller coaster of highs and lows but doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong. Five years ago, she decided she’d had enough. She wanted to end her life.

Tanya managed to talk herself out of it and instead did some googling. She stumbled across a website about premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a menstrual mood disorder, that impacts roughly 3 to 8% of menstruators. PMDD means having severe and debilitating mood swings right around one’s period. Around a third of people with PMDD have attempted suicide, and over  70% have regular suicidal ideation .

“It just hit me,” Tanya told me. “I went through my life and so many moments made sense.” She called her doctor the next day. He sent her to get tested for diabetes.

Tanya finally managed to get a PMDD diagnosis in 2019 at the age of 26, but she was haunted by the question: Why had she never heard of PMDD before and why was it so hard to get a diagnosis?

Although research shows suicidal ideation is linked to specific times during the menstrual cycle, today most people still haven’t heard of PMDD, including doctors. According to a 2022 survey of PMDD patients, over a third said their general practitioners had no knowledge of premenstrual disorders, and about 40% said their mental-health-care providers had no knowledge of premenstrual disorders. But PMDD has been around since periods have been around and we’ve known about it for nearly a century.

So why aren’t we getting people the help they need? The answer, as history shows, is more complicated than we think.

While the menstrual cycle has been notoriously understudied, the first papers on PMDD appeared in 1930s. In the 1950s British physician Dr. Katrina Dalton began studying PMDD —or “premenstrual syndrome” as she called it, and opened a clinic in London . Still, PMDD mostly flew under the radar until 1980, when Dalton served as a medical expert for three women accused of crime. During the trials Dalton showed that the women committed the crimes right before their period, and that their symptoms disappeared with treatment. She was able to get them a reduced sentence.

Overnight there was a media boom around PMS. The magazine Glamour even polled readers about the validity of using PMS as a legal defense: (24% were for, 71% against, and 5% unsure). As a result, the growing awareness around PMS bled over to the medical community. In 1984 psychiatrist Robert Spitzer proposed PMS should be added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the handbook used by doctors to diagnosis mental health problems. Spitzer was the chair of the committee revising the third version of the DSM, and he’d been getting several invites to conferences about PMS. Adding PMS to the DSM meant that the medical community was recognizing it as a formal disorder that could be diagnosed and treated.

Read More: 5 Foods That Ease PMS Symptoms

However, experts were divided on where to draw the line between PMDD (the severe, debilitating mood swings) and PMS (garden variety grumpiness and irritability). When the Washington Post asked experts about the prevalence of PMS in 1984, estimates ranged from 3% to 90% of women . In a sense, both of these estimates were true: only a few people have severe symptoms, but up to 90% of people do have mild symptoms before their period. It became clear that experts were conflating PMDD and PMS and this was reflected in popular culture. Suddenly, anyone who had a period was seen as unstable. Products with sexist jokes abounded, such as greeting cards that read “What’s the difference between a woman with PMS and a terrorist? Answer: You can negotiate with a terrorist.”

Controversy erupted. A group of feminists spearheaded a campaign to stop PMDD’s inclusion in the DSM. They argued that including PMDD would be tantamount to calling menstruation a mental illness. Much of their reaction was rooted in the atmosphere of the ‘70s and ‘80s as women were fighting for gender equality on several fronts from work to reproductive rights. In the 1970s, for the first time, over half of women were working outside the home. The Supreme Court ruled to protect the right to abortion in Roe v. Wade. However, this equality was also precarious and under threat—conservatives defeated the Equal Rights Amendment which would have prohibited gender discrimination. For feminists, PMDD and the sexist jokes it generated seemed to be another attempt to discredit women and chip away at the progress feminists had made for women’s rights.

One of PMDD’s major critics, Dr. Joan Chrisler, attended a lecture in the 1970s, early on in her career on why there were no great women artists or novelists. The conclusion: women’s creativity declines when they are menstruating. This inspired Chrisler to devote her career to fighting menstrual stigma. In an era rife with sexism, adding PMDD to the DSM set off alarm bells.

Read More: A History of How Employers Have Addressed Women’s Periods

To further complicate matters, in the early 2000s, drug manufacturer Eli Lilly stuck its finger in the pie. Eli Lilly’s patent on its blockbuster drug Prozac, which treated depression, was set to expire and it’s share prices had tanked. The company desperately needed a new market that would buy Prozac.

Eli Lilly landed on PMDD as their next likely market. Early studies already suggested that Prozac could treat PMDD, but the problem was that experts were still debating whether PMDD belonged in the DSM as an official diagnosis at all. Undaunted, Eli Lilly embarked on a massive campaign to market Prozac to people with PMDD. It sponsored a round table discussion on Prozac’s effectiveness for PMDD, which found that at least 60% of patients with PMDD respond to antidepressants. It repackaged Prozac as “Serafem” a play on the word “seraphim”, the angels who guard the throne of God. If that wasn’t enough to drive home the point, they changed Prozac’s green and yellow pills to pink and purple. Finally, they rolled out a series of ads that suggested any woman who was feeling grumpy should consider medication. The ads didn’t distinguish between PMDD and PMS. Rather, they imply any sign of irritability in women should be treated.

This unleashed another wave of furor. Feminists were insulted—and rightfully so. The last thing the women’s movement needed was a drug companies suggesting a woman’s anger is a mental health condition. The media had a field day writing about drug companies “inventing” new diseases and marketing drugs without diagnoses. (Tragically, Prozac actually works on PMDD. Studies have found SSRIs like Prozac can relieve PMDD symptoms in up to twelve hours, even though it takes weeks to work for anxiety and depression.)

In some ways the feminists lost their battle. PMDD eventually did become a diagnosis in the DSM in 2013, nearly three decades after it’d been first debated in the ‘80s. In other ways, they won the war. Dr. Tory Eisenlohr-Moul, a premenstrual mood disorder researcher at the University of Illinois Chicago, estimates that the backlash around PMDD set care back by 10 to 15 years. She pointed out there’s been a chilling effect on the conversation around the link between menstruation and mood. Doctors are afraid to bring it up, because they don’t want patients to think they are sexist.

Yet, in reality, the biggest victims of the fight over PMDD’s existence are people who have PMDD and the people who love them. Today, thousands of people still suffer because they don’t know they have PMDD.

Tanya’s PMDD diagnosis changed her life. While she elected not to try medication, the diagnosis alone helped her understand her breakdowns, and helped her explain what was going on to family and friends. She decided to train in psychotherapy so she can help other people understand PMDD. “My tutor has been a counselor for 10 years and still hasn’t heard of PMDD,” she said. “I want to help people work through this pain.”

More Must-Reads From TIME

• Exclusive: Google Workers Revolt Over $1.2 Billion Contract With Israel
• Jane Fonda Champions Climate Action for Every Generation
• Stop Looking for Your Forever Home
• The Sympathizer Counters 50 Years of Hollywood Vietnam War Narratives
• The Bliss of Seeing the Eclipse From Cleveland
• Hormonal Birth Control Doesn’t Deserve Its Bad Reputation
• The Best TV Shows to Watch on Peacock
• Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time

Contact us at [email protected]

You May Also Like

Study Like a Boss

Personal Narrative: My Struggle With Mental Illness Essay

Being left to fight alone is devastating for anyone suffering from any form of mental illness. If a person you know seems to be struggling then reach out and connect with them. I can guarantee that showing that you care will make a huge difference and possibly save that person’s life. When you find yourself in a position to help someone, feel blessed because God is answering that person’s prayer through you. It can something as simple as the mixed CDI made for Bob to listen in his taxi, it just shows him that he is loved and that someone still cares about him.

Thope this provided you with a better understanding of what depression really is and how incredibly serious it is. I know Louellen and your dad both struggle with mental illness and I hope now you realise why they behave the way they sometimes do. I hope that in future you’ll remember to be a more empathetic person. Change for those four beautiful nieces of yours and little Isaac, because they still need a positive role model that will always look out for them. Hannah, I won’t apologise for having depression, that’s not a choice | made. But I do regret that it got between us.

I regret that I stopped being able to meet your criteria and things got too ‘stale’ for you. I vowed to do right by you in every way possible and treat you like your father should have treated your mother. I wanted to show you the life you deserved and give you the family you wanted when you were younger. Unfortunately, I had my own battles get in the road but despite the things I may have said or done, I was always in it for the long haul. I was there for you when things got ugly and I stayed by your side when it would have been so much easier to walk away .

You became so convinced that I was bad person that you thought I did the things I did because that’s what I was happy doing. The truth is I hated what I was doing and I would given anything to be able to get up in the morning and start getting my life back on track. To be able to go to Uni and apply myself and to have the energy to exercise and the self-esteem to make friends. When I did manage to do something normal however you never even realised or appreciated it. Every time I cooked us a nice dinner or went out in public for a date, worked out or went to Uni was my equivalent of climbing Mount Everest.

That ‘person’ that you thought you I was, was just my depression. I was inside the whole time fighting to get better for the both of us but when I came to you begging for support, my words fell on deaf ears. I wasn’t being lazy, I was physically incapable of doing the things I wanted so desperately to do. The fact is, I wanted to do those things so badly that I wanted to kill myself because I couldn’t. I’m not a bad person. I’m the most genuine and compassionate man of conviction that you’ll ever meet, I’ve just been incredibly sick. In retrospect, I should have been in therapy and medicated a long time ago.

Now | understand it wouldn’t have been a walk in the park for you either, but you have no idea how bad it was for me. My mental health should have been a priority for you. I was worth it. I know your dreams and what breaks your heart. I know what you’re passionate about and what makes you cry. I’ve seen the parts of you that you hide from the rest of the world. I’ve felt your soul and your potential good nature. I’ve seen the woman you’re capable of being and she was beautiful. I forgive you because I know deep down you’re not a bad person, you were just a fool that didn’t know any wiser.

I don’t blame you for my problems because you didn’t start me down this road. To be honest, the person you thought I was, I would have left them too. But that wasn’t the case and you let me down in ways you can’t even imagine . Recently I started feeling okay again, more myself and for the first time in a long time I felt content with myself. It was difficult, but I started to piece myself back together and have a fresh start. I gave my heart to you completely and in some way I’ll always love you, but I’ve accepted that we finally found the battle that we couldn’t win. I’m so happy I was able to help you become everything you are.

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:

Related posts:

• Personal Narrative: Success Through Struggle Essay
• The Yellow Wallpaper By Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Treatment of Mental Illness
• Essay on Personal Narrative: My Life In Miami
• Mental Illness Essay
• Girl Interrupted Mental Illness Essay
• Mental Illness In Prison Analysis Essay
• Essay about Personal Narrative: The Smartest Kid In School
• Personal Narrative: Divorce Has Changed My Life Essay
• Mental Illness
• Schizophrenia – Mental Illness
• Struggles Of Mental Illness
• Is Addiction A Mental Illness?
• Personal Narrative: The Last Guy Who Did He Died Essay
• How Does Mental Illness Affect Society

Home — Essay Samples — Psychology — Counseling — Mental Health Counseling Admission

Mental Health Counseling Admission

• Categories: Code of Ethics Counseling Substance Abuse

About this sample

Words: 748 |

Published: Jan 31, 2024

Words: 748 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, personal background and motivation, academic and professional preparation, interpersonal and communication skills, knowledge of mental health counseling field, personal characteristics and attributes, career goals and future aspirations.

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2018). The Importance of Mental Health: Parity for Mental Health and Substance Use. https://www.samhsa.gov/behavioral-health-equity/parity-mental-health-substance-use.
• American Psychological Association. (2019). Becoming a Psychologist: Mental Health Counseling. https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/psn/2014/09/becoming-a-psychologist.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2021). Mental Health Conditions. https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions.
• American Counseling Association. (2018). 2018 ACA Code of Ethics. https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr. Heisenberg

Verified writer

• Expert in: Business Psychology Nursing & Health

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

4 pages / 1743 words

4 pages / 1699 words

2 pages / 810 words

5 pages / 2416 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Counseling

Counselling is a profession that requires a high level of authenticity and genuineness from the counsellor. Genuineness, also known as congruence, is an essential aspect of the therapeutic relationship and is crucial for the [...]

Part A - “The effective counselling” (15%) #Good evening guys and how is you all feeling today. Wish you all fine and happy today. If it's free, it's advice; if you pay for it, its counseling. That’s what most of the people [...]

Being a counselor is a rewarding and challenging profession that requires a specific set of characteristics and skills. Counselors work with individuals, couples, families, and groups to help them overcome personal, emotional, [...]

This publication by Harry W. Gardiner dives into various explorations by other authors on how truly distinct cultures are around the world. Yet, are somehow still interconnected to one another. But what exactly is cross-cultural [...]

The code of ethics as it pertains to the counseling relationship is meant to define and guide the therapeutic relationship. Clinicians work hard to create and sustain a relationship with their clients based on trust. It is [...]

In this essay on diversity I will explain my understanding of difference and diversity as we are living in multicultural society and every individual should attempt to explore, understand, and accept differences across all [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Playing With 5 Whole Decks: An Autism Metaphor

A personal perspective: there's intense world theory, bottom-up processing, and overwhelm..

Posted April 11, 2024 | Reviewed by Abigail Fagan

• What Is Autism?
• Find counselling to help with autism

At times, I have heard the term, "not playing with a full deck." It is often used when a person doesn't understand why someone is acting a certain way and makes assumptions about them. I've found it to be dehumanizing, ableist and flat-out wrong.

Neurodivergent people often report being misunderstood (Finke et al., 2023). Unfortunately some have been called unkind names and phrases such as this.

For autistic people who may find themselves misunderstood in this way, nothing could be further from the truth.

Let me explain.

Imagine you have a deck of cards. Each card represents a thought or word you might say. The joker represents the word you want to say.

If you have 10 cards and are asked to find a joker, it’s easy enough, right? You can find your words well. When we are stressed , we have more on our minds. So imagine having a deck of 50 cards (words/thoughts) to find the joker. It’s a little more difficult but doable.

Now, imagine that someone gives you five or 10 decks of cards. Find the joker. It's not easy at all.

Research suggests that autistic people may have a tendency toward bottom-up processing (Alho et al., 2023). This forms some of the basis of the 'intense world theory,' a construct that autistic people do not filter out information in the same way as neurotypical individuals. Instead information—be it sensory, social or otherwise—is processed more complexly (Markram and Markram, 2010).

Details are not always filtered out, and one might process a lot of information at once. This, combined with sensory processing differences, creates an intense world—sort of like playing with 10 decks of cards at once.

People often come up with fantastic ways to adapt to a world set up for people playing with just one deck. At the same time, extra time might be necessary to answer a question. The words might not come together as smoothly at first. Overwhelming detail can mean a strong need for clarity. The question might need to be asked more than once. Some are non-speaking.

Is it because they are “not playing with a full deck” or don’t have the capacity to understand? Absolutely not. Patience goes a long way. So does giving time for a response, offering other means of communication, and being aware that they might be in an even better place to draw connections than most.

Playing with 10 cards or a deck of cards is cool. You can do some pretty cool things with five or 10 decks as well. Celebrating neurodiversity is about suspending assumptions are highlighting strengths.

I hope that through examining figures of speech such as this and confronting them, we can appreciate each others' differences and decrease misunderstandings.

Alho, J., Khan, S., Mamashli, F., Perrachione, T. K., Losh, A., McGuiggan, N. M., & Kenet, T. (2023). Atypical cortical processing of bottom-up speech binding cues in children with autism spectrum disorders. NeuroImage: Clinical , 37 , 103336.

Finke, E. H., & Dunn, D. H. (2023). Neurodiversity and double empathy: can empathy disconnects be mitigated to support autistic belonging?. Disability & Society , 1-24.

Markram, K., & Markram, H. (2010). The intense world theory–a unifying theory of the neurobiology of autism. Frontiers in human neuroscience , 4 , 2224.

Jennifer Gerlach, LCSW, is a psychotherapist based in Southern Illinois who specializes in psychosis, mood disorders, and young adult mental health.

• Find Counselling
• Find Online Therapy
• South Africa
• Johannesburg
• Port Elizabeth
• Bloemfontein
• Vereeniging
• East London
• Pietermaritzburg
• Asperger's
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chronic Pain
• Eating Disorders
• Passive Aggression
• Personality
• Goal Setting
• Positive Psychology
• Stopping Smoking
• Low Sexual Desire
• Relationships
• Child Development
• Therapy Center NEW
• Diagnosis Dictionary
• Types of Therapy

Understanding what emotional intelligence looks like and the steps needed to improve it could light a path to a more emotionally adept world.

• Coronavirus Disease 2019
• Affective Forecasting
• Neuroscience

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

• Your Health
• Treatments & Tests
• Health Inc.
• Public Health

Mental health care is hard to find, especially for people with Medicare or Medicaid

Rhitu Chatterjee

With rates of suicide and opioid deaths rising in the past decade and children's mental health declared a national emergency , the United States faces an unprecedented mental health crisis. But access to mental health care for a significant portion of Americans — including some of the most vulnerable populations — is extremely limited, according to a new government report released Wednesday.

The report, from the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General, finds that Medicare and Medicaid have a dire shortage of mental health care providers.

The report looked at 20 counties with people on Medicaid, traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, which together serve more than 130 million enrollees — more than 40% of the U.S. population, says Meridith Seife , the deputy regional inspector general and the lead author of the report.

Medicaid serves people on low incomes, and Medicare is mainly for people 65 years or older and those who are younger with chronic disabilities.

The report found fewer than five active mental health care providers for every 1,000 enrollees. On average, Medicare Advantage has 4.7 providers per 1,000 enrollees, whereas traditional Medicare has 2.9 providers and Medicaid has 3.1 providers for the same number of enrollees. Some counties fare even worse, with not even a single provider for every 1,000 enrollees.

"When you have so few providers available to see this many enrollees, patients start running into significant problems finding care," says Seife.

The findings are especially troubling given the level of need for mental health care in this population, she says.

"On Medicare, you have 1 in 4 Medicare enrollees who are living with a mental illness," she says. "Yet less than half of those people are receiving treatment."

Among people on Medicaid, 1 in 3 have a mental illness, and 1 in 5 have a substance use disorder. "So the need is tremendous."

The results are "scary" but "not very surprising," says Deborah Steinberg , senior health policy attorney at the nonprofit Legal Action Center. "We know that people in Medicare and Medicaid are often underserved populations, and this is especially true for mental health and substance use disorder care."

Among those individuals able to find and connect with a provider, many see their provider several times a year, according to the report. And many have to drive a long way for their appointments.

"We have roughly 1 in 4 patients that had to travel more than an hour to their appointments, and 1 in 10 had to travel more than an hour and a half each way," notes Seife. Some patients traveled two hours each way for mental health care, she says.

Mental illnesses and substance use disorders are chronic conditions that people need ongoing care for, says Steinberg. "And when they have to travel an hour, more than an hour, for an appointment throughout the year, that becomes unreasonable. It becomes untenable."

"We know that behavioral health workforce shortages are widespread," says Heather Saunders , a senior research manager on the Medicaid team at KFF, the health policy research organization. "This is across all payers, all populations, with about half of the U.S. population living in a workforce shortage."

But as the report found, that's not the whole story for Medicare and Medicaid. Only about a third of mental health care providers in the counties studied see Medicare and Medicaid patients. That means a majority of the workforce doesn't participate in these programs.

This has been well documented in Medicaid, notes Saunders. "Only a fraction" of providers in provider directories see Medicaid patients, she says. "And when they do see Medicaid patients, they often only see a few."

Lower reimbursement rates and a high administrative burden prevent more providers from participating in Medicaid and Medicare, the report notes.

"In the Medicare program, they set a physician fee rate," explains Steinberg. "Then for certain providers, which includes clinical social workers, mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists, they get reimbursed at 75% of that rate."

Medicaid reimbursements for psychiatric services are even lower when compared with Medicare , says Ellen Weber , senior vice president for health initiatives at the Legal Action Center.

"They're baking in those discriminatory standards when they are setting those rates," says Steinberg.

The new report recommends that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) take steps to increase payments to providers and lower administrative requirements. In a statement, CMS said it has responded to those recommendations within the report.

According to research by Saunders and her colleagues at KFF, many states have already started to take action on these fronts to improve participation in Medicaid.

Several have upped their payments to mental health providers. "But the scale of those increases ranged widely across states," says Saunders, "with some states limiting the increase to one provider type or one type of service, but other states having rate increases that were more across the board."

Some states have also tried to simplify and streamline paperwork, she adds. "Making it less complex, making it easier to understand," says Saunders.

But it's too soon to know whether those efforts have made a significant impact on improving access to providers.

CMS has also taken steps to address provider shortages, says Steinberg.

"CMS has tried to increase some of the reimbursement rates without actually fixing that structural problem," says Steinberg. "Trying to add a little bit here and there, but it's not enough, especially when they're only adding a percent to the total rate. It's a really small increase."

The agency has also started covering treatments and providers it didn't use to cover before.

"In 2020, Medicare started covering opioid treatment programs, which is where a lot of folks can go to get medications for their substance use disorder," says Steinberg.

And starting this year, Medicare also covers "mental health counselors, which includes addiction counselors, as well as marriage and family therapists," she adds.

While noteworthy and important, a lot more needs to be done, says Steinberg. "For example, in the substance use disorder space, a lot of addiction counselors do not have a master's degree. And that's one of their requirements to be a counselor in the Medicare program right now."

Removing those stringent requirements and adding other kinds of providers, like peer support specialists, is key to improving access. And the cost of not accessing care is high, she adds.

"Over the past two decades, [in] the older adult population, the number of overdose deaths has increased fourfold — quadrupled," says Steinberg. "So this is affecting people. It is causing deaths. It is causing people to go to the hospital. It increases [health care] costs."

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• mental health