Celebrities who benefit from counseling and openly discuss Mental Health.
Why, Because your Total health matters
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”- World Health Organization, 2006
We know people who have chronic physical health problems are more likely to develop mental health problems. One study done in England said a long-term physical condition increased the likelihood of developing a mental health problem seven times, which is serious, since two-thirds of people with serious mental health problems die prematurely from treatable physical health conditions. Untreated mental health leads to a painful cycle and one more people are talking about which is an important first step toward wellness.
Celebrities who benefit from counseling and openly discuss mental health
Lady Gaga, Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson, Emma Stone, Kristen Bell, Michael Phelps, James Franco, Selena Gomez, Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Demi Lovato, Angel Haze, Glenn Close, Lena Dunham, Kendall Jenner, Whitney Cummings, Sadie Robertson, Ryan Phillippe and many, many more
First the facts:
·One in every 5 adults experiences a mental health condition every year(20%)
·One in 17 lives with a serious mental illness like bipolar disorder
·For everyone experiencing a mental illness, family, friends, employers and communities are affected(multiplier effect)
·75% of mental health conditions develop by age 24, which is why Florida Public Schools are going to be implementing mental and emotional health curriculum. If you can identify mental and emotional health issues early, it prevents a host of other health and behavioral problems in the teens and twenties
“Mental health is a state of wellbeing in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” - World Health Organization, 2018
Mental Health Hurts more than people – it affects the Economy
It has been said people don’t quit jobs, they quit bosses. Research by Thriving at Work,(Stevenson & Farmer, 2017) support that thought, since staff turnover, reduced productivity and serious stress related sickness leading to multiple absences were related to mental/emotional working conditions.
They gave recommendations for all employers to strengthen their company’s productivity and profitability by simply building mental wellness programs into the work experience including:
1.Produce, implement and communicate a mental health at work plan
2.Develop mental health awareness among employees
3.Encourage open conversations about mental health and the support available when employees are struggling(like EAP or counseling)
4.Provide employees with good working conditions
5.Promote effective people management and communication skills
6.Routinely monitor employee mental health and wellness as a major goal of a successful workplace
This approach at work is important to remove the stigma of mental health, since it’s common to call in sick for a physical illness like a cold or the flu. Calling in sick for an anxiety attack, or PTSD flashback is another story. Employers are paying more attention to the need to have open conversations about mental and physical wellness for all employees since untreated emotional conditions can lead to chronic physical illnesses such as heart disease or diabetes.
Sadly, untreated mental illness can lead to the increase of physical injury or death from self-destructive behaviors like substance abuse or suicide. Suicide is the tenth most common cause of death in the United States, but ninth in Florida, and second most common of death for teens. Adolescents die more frequently from self-harm than cancer, heart-disease, respiratory illness, influenza, pneumonia, stroke, meningitis, diabetes, HIV, kidney and liver disease combined.
Public schools are addressing mental health issues to confront these growing health concerns and it’s time for others to follow their lead. So what to do?
1.Start the conversation to remove the stigma
2.Educate about stress related illness and the risks
Support coworkers talking about mental health instead of shame them
3.Make mental/emotional issues a normal part of life and a normal topic
4.Encourage supportive conversations and shared experiences
5.Practice wellness, physically, mentally and emotionally
Mental / Emotional Wellness looks like this -
1.You protect your mental health with sleep, hydration, exercise and meditation
2.You know what you are feeling and have the vocabulary to express that to others
3.You’re curious instead of furious with people(unoffendable)
4.You are committed to change and growth, instead of blame or attack
5.You know your strengths along with your weaknesses and build on strengths
6.You know how to say no(to yourself and others)and can speak your needs
7.You let go of mistakes, but hold onto the lesson(regrets)
8.You practice generosity instead of greed
9.You practice gratitude instead of holding onto grudges or resentment
10.You know how to unplug to recharge or restore your mental health in nature
You are the one most responsible for your health. Just like you wouldn’t ignore a broken bone, you cannot ignore emotional pressure. It doesn’t go away with silence, it gets worse. Take your health seriously, talk to your friends and share your wellness journey because when you get better, everyone around you will follow your lead and the results will change your company or community for good. Everyone wins.
About the Author: C. Dwight Bain is an author who guides people in rewriting their story with positive change. Follow him across all social media @DwightBain