MENTAL HEALTH AND REHABILITATION CENTERS
Celebrating the Strength of Mind and Resilience Within Honouring Mental Health Day
The World Federation of Mental Health has selected the theme for this year’s mental health day as “Mental Health in an Unequal World” to preach the significance and importance of psychological health and highlight the impact of poor mental health in minority communities and third-world countries. Due to the escalating violence and disruption in the world, the problems related to mental health have reached an appalling level and Pakistan being a developing country is no exception. With the increasing number of addiction and psychiatric cases, it is important to address the issue as it represents the significant challenge the public is facing and weakens the roots of a healthy society.
It also allows us to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and addiction issues and also helps us in discussing the secondary health issues that come along with untreated mental health disorders.
Honouring this year’s mental health day we have summarised some key concepts and pointers for the common welfare.
What is Mental Health?
Psychological health can’t be seen so it is ignored normally. Mental health is a well-being state that allows people to fight back or cope with daily life stressors and hassles of day-to-day functioning.
It is as crucial as physical well-being and affects the health of an individual on a vast scale.
Mental Health is more than the absence of mental disorders. It includes not only resilience but also identification of one’s abilities and strengths, managing interpersonal skills, emotional regulation, and understanding the bigger picture of life.
What are the determinants of Mental Health?
It is influenced by a blend of many individual or collective factors with varying levels of degree and severity.
- Genetics and biological factors such as neurobiology and family history.
- Personal characteristics, coping styles, and resilience level.
- Environmental stressors, discrimination, and community support.
- Physical health, chronic illnesses, and ill health.
- Socioeconomic status and availability of resources.
Most people do not develop any mental health conditions despite being exposed to risk factors.
Mental Health and Rehabilitation Centers
In the context of the Rehabilitation sector, mental health acts as a focal point not only in an individual’s journey to recovery but also casts a big impact on the community.
Here are some practical ways we can prioritize mental health for our patients undergoing the recovery process in rehabilitation centers.
- Building a support network would encourage and allow individuals to express their emotional conundrum freely and strengthen the relations.
- By setting realistic goals and celebrating the progress.
- With the introduction of meditation and PMR techniques, we can teach people to manage their stressors and triggers.
- Encouraging and understanding the importance of physical activity can help people in enhancing their mental health.
The Psyche of Substance Abuse Patients
Substance abuse often has deep psychological roots and the psyche differs from individual to individual and circumstance to circumstance. Here we have collected some common key pointers that play a vital role in addiction.
- Compulsive drug-seeking behavior is associated with cravings and a strong desire to satisfy or fulfil psychological needs causing psychological and physiological dependency and belief that they need the desired substance to function or deal with the complexities of life.
- It may be a way to escape the realities and bitter truths of life and the inability to cope with transitions.
- People struggling with underlying psychological diseases such as depression and anxiety often cope with the pain by using substances.
- A hallmark of addiction is the loss of control over substance use. Substance abuse patients may find it difficult or impossible to regulate their consumption, even when they want to stop or cut down.
- Addiction can lead to social isolation as individuals may prioritize substance use over relationships, work, and other social activities. This isolation can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and depression.
- Many substance abuse patients experience feelings of guilt and shame due to their addiction. These emotions can further perpetuate the cycle of substance abuse as individuals use substances to cope with these negative feelings.
- Addiction can lead to distorted thinking patterns. Substance abuse patients may rationalize their behavior, deny the severity of the problem, or engage in cognitive biases that reinforce their addiction.
- Certain environments, people, or situations can act as triggers for substance abuse patients. These triggers can prompt cravings and lead to relapse.
- In some cases, substance abuse patients may lack insight into the extent of their problem or the harm it is causing to themselves and others.
It’s important to note that while these psychological aspects are common among substance abuse patients, each person’s experience is unique. Effective addiction treatment recognizes the individualized nature of addiction and addresses the specific needs and challenges of each patient. Treatment typically includes a combination of behavioural therapy, counselling, support groups, and s medication, to address the psychological factors underlying addiction and help patients achieve and maintain recovery.
Role of Families in the Recovery of Patients
Families and support circles can help patients in quick and lasting recovery.
- Remind your patient how much you love them and care for them and your unwavering support will forever be with them.
- Understanding that addiction and other psychiatric diseases are not an individual’s character fault and learning about the complexities, recovery cycle, treatment, and causes of the disease.
- Be willing to listen patiently and with compassion. Don’t interrupt and lend them a listening and understanding ear.
- Establish clear and healthy boundaries to protect your and your patient’s well-being.
- Gently but persistently encourage them for the treatment.
What Healing Door Rehabilitation is doing for the promotion of Mental Health?
We at Healing Door Rehabilitation Center in Islamabad stand as a beacon of hope and support for individuals struggling with addiction and psychiatric disorders. Our professional and compassionate team works hard to provide individual and tailor-made treatment plans to meet the unique needs of every individual patient.
We are offering a safe and nurturing environment where individuals learn to understand their disease as we equip them with the necessary tools and strategies for living a healthy and fulfilling life and give them hope to be a functional part of society.
Saving lives, prioritizing mental or psychological health, preventing suicide, and reducing substance abuse are some of the things we are working on for the betterment of our society and country.
