Promoting Mental Health: Strategies for a Happier and Balanced Life

2023-10-25 17:05:00

According to the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, between January and July 2023 the suicide rate increased by 15.73% compared to the same period in 2022, going from 1,564 to 1,810 cases. Figures as terrifying as these reveal that mental health is an issue that must be vital on our country’s agenda.

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According to Sindy Quintero, psychologist at the Colmédica Medical Centers, the main reasons for daily consultations in our medical centers in both adults and young people are the same, lately we have consultations for mood disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders caused by largely due to difficulties in coping strategies in the face of challenges at school, work, and family levels.

It is very common today to find young people with depressive episodes, suicidal actions, mood disorders and anxiety, the above, as a consequence of which there is no good strategy for coping with family relationships, there is isolation, therefore, it is It is very easy to have depression and it is difficult to find a stable support network that makes them feel safe and protected.

Keys to mental health care in young people and adults

According to specialist Quintero, some recommendations for mental health care in young people and adults are:

1. Taking care of our rest, our sleep, getting enough sleep, is crucial. Maintaining good mental health includes having:

– A regular sleep routine

– Follow healthy sleep practices such as: avoiding screens before bed

– Create a comfortable environment when going to bed.

– Leave the problems aside a little and understand that we deserve a moment of disconnection.

– The bed should be exclusively for rest, therefore, do not do activities there such as work or study, we must try to preserve this space solely and exclusively for rest.

2. It is necessary to strengthen emotional ties with our close people: improve communication with parents, siblings, although we understand that there may be conflicts in family dynamics, there are differences that can distance us at some point. We must learn to resolve these conflicts and connect emotionally.

3. We must maintain an active social life, since social isolation worsens mental health problems, which is why it is important to maintain social contacts and participate in activities that are related to us.

4. Avoid the consumption of toxic substances, alcohol, drugs and other substances that we find today can worsen mental health problems. If we have an addiction problem, it is best to seek professional help.

5. We must have compassion for ourselves, trying to recognize our shortcomings and understanding that we are human beings who can fail.

6. Improve internal dialogue, how we talk to ourselves, talk to ourselves appropriately and not speak badly regarding ourselves, highlight our qualities and not focus so much on our defects, see the good things we have and do.

7. Doing physical activity helps us improve our mood, and in this way, we can take care of our mind and body from other diseases, so it is necessary to maintain a balance between physical health and mental health.

6. Do activities that give us pleasure, that disconnect us from our daily activities. Participating in these activities improves emotional well-being, such as: walking outdoors, reading, making music or playing sports are good strategies to take care of mental health.

Mental health situation in Colombia

Mental health in Colombia and in the world is an issue of great importance and concern today, basically, there are various problems in relation to mental health in the country: lack of access to mental health services, stigmatization and discrimination towards people suffering from mental disorders, lack of resources of trained personnel in the field of mental health, among others.

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“In recent years in the country, greater efforts have been made by some governments and some organizations to improve care and access to mental health services: Prevention and promotion programs have been implemented, the creation of centers professionals in the area have been trained, however, they are still insufficient, since there are many challenges to face in relation to mental health in Colombia. For this reason, it is necessary to continue promoting awareness, education, and sensitization on this issue, since it is necessary to guarantee the availability of quality services that are accessible and that can reach the most remote and needy regions of the country, he explained. Sindy Quintero, psychologist at the Colmédica medical centers.

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