While studying in my medical school in Bangladesh, I memorized the WHO definition of health. It says, “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”1 Hence, mental wellbeing is an integral part of being in sound health. Mental health encompasses our psychological, emotional and social well-being. This has impacts on how one feels, thinks and behaves every day. It also contributes to one’s decision making process, to cope with stress and to relate to others in one’s life.
This is unavoidable fact that mental health problems can affect everyone, irrespective of age, social class, and financial situation. Being ‘successful’ in life does not make you immune to suffering mental health issues. In recent years, we have seen high-profile suicides involving celebrities e.g. actor, actress, models, designers, as well as tech-professionals, engineers, doctors, teachers, businessmen, entrepreneurs, in home and abroad. They were all successful, wealthy, and accomplished in their fields/lives; however, it teaches us a lesson on why
As I have learnt from my medical school that mental fitness helps us to achieve and sustain a state of sound mental health, I have taken this thing seriously. When I feel myself mentally fit and healthy, I enjoy my daily work, surroundings and people in it. I can also give a chance to my being to be more creative, learn and try new things, and take risks. I can even feel that I am able to cope with difficult times in my personal domain as well as professional arena, to get on with those and get back to life’s endless opportunities.
I have also come to learn that investing in our mental health help us to combat or prevent the mental health problems that are solely due to metal or emotional issues, and sometimes due to a chronic physical illness. Being aware of mental conditions, in some cases, may prevent the onset or relapse of many physical and mental diseases. For an example, managing stress well can have a positive impact on prevention of mental conditions like anxiety disorders, depression, or somatic disorders like heart disease. Hence, I feel an urge in myself to nurture my mental wellbeing.
References:
1. World Health Organization (WHO). Preamble to the Constitution of WHO as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 1946; signed on 22 July, 1946 by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of WHO, no.2, p.100) and entered into force on 7 April, 1948.
Dr. Abu Sadat Mohammad Nurunnabi, MBBS, MPhil, MSc
Dalla Lana School of Public Health
University of Toronto
ON, Canada
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