Our mental health has an impact on our physical health, and vice versa. How we feel emotionally is influenced by our physical well-being. The interaction between our mind and body becomes evident through various expressions. When we are depressed or stressed, it may indicate that we have difficulty falling asleep.

When we are hurt or injured, the pain can occasionally be made worse by stress or frustration. We may also experience increased irritability or rage, sadness or worry if we are ill or injured. When hopeful, we are more inclined to experience joy, and more likely to feel that we are living a meaningful life.

The Major Issues of Mental Health

Mental health has a major impact on the way in which we interact with others in social settings, make decisions in different occasions, and deal with stress in our everyday life. People’s ability to live fulfilling lives are highly influenced by our mental health. Therefore, public health professionals should consider prioritizing the protection and restoration of mental health for the sake of their health and well-being. Let’s take a look at the major concerns of mental health at workplace.

Workplace issues, worry, anxiety or stress can contribute to mental health problems. Mental health issues frequently impair concentration, which can jeopardize a person’s job performance. Depression is associated with difficulty focusing, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Reduced productivity can limit one’s ability to perform well, earn promotions, and develop successful relationships with co-workers and higher management, all of which can have an impact on job satisfaction. Workplace absenteeism can also be influenced by mental health issues or unhappiness at work.

This may result in a person losing their job or having less opportunity to make a living. As a result, it’s crucial to maintain a work-life balance where one gives equal priority to both their career and their personal life.

3 Ways to take Care of your Mental Health and Well-being

Physical and mental health are equally important. It is possible to prevent mental health problems in the future by nurturing our mental health. For example, stress management can help reduce the potential of heart disease. When our mental health is in good shape, it extends to other aspects of our overall well-being too.

1) Learn to Manage Stress

Stress is a major factor that can negatively impact both physical and mental health. There are many different ways to manage stress, such as exercise, watching your favourite cartoon movie, going for a body massage or taking a walk in nature and listening to birds whispering or leaves rustling in the forest.

2) Follow a Healthy Diet

It is also possible to improve mood and reduce stress through a healthy diet. There are several nutrients that increase blood flow, including omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), vitamin E, and polyphenols found in red wine, blueberries, and dark chocolate. Thus, a healthy diet improves brain function by enhancing blood flow, which improves nutrient delivery to the brain.

3) Practice Mindfulness

The practice of mindfulness involves being in the moment without passing judgment. It may be beneficial for lowering stress, boosting mood, and raising self-awareness. Learning to meditate using singing bowls, deep breathing exercises, or relaxing yoga can all improve your long-term mental health.

We can enhance our overall health and well-being by making small changes one step at a time, to improve our overall wellbeing. However, if you are unlikely to improve over time, it would be best to seek professional guidance.

Your Guide to Seeking Professional Guidance

1) Help Someone in Need

If a friend confides in you about suicidal thoughts, you may be taken aback or react emotionally. Whatever your response, try to be non-judgmental and patient while expressing genuine concern.

2) Listen to Understand

Extend a listening ear and listen to understand their emotions. Understand their point of view and acknowledge their challenges. Be empathetic and show genuine concern in supporting them by extending a helping hand.

3) Encourage them to Seek Help

Assure them that it is alright to seek professional help if they may need to do so. You may offer to accompany them for a visit to the psychologist to make them feel secure.  Be with them to alleviate their loneliness and uncertainties.

4) Make a Referral

If you come across someone that may be at risk of suicide or is thinking of making an attempt to suicide. You may refer the person to to make an appointment to see a counsellor via CareMail service pat@sos.org.sg or call the 24-hour Hotline at 1-767 or 24-hour CareText: WhatsApp: 9151 1767‍. Together, we can offer support to those who require assistance, and also to those we hold dear.”

What are the Essential Skills for a Career in Psychology?

If you like to interact with people and are keen to help people manage their emotional, behavioural and psychological needs, learn more about the essential soft skills and mandatory qualifications required to be a psychologist to start your career. Let’s look at the essential psychological skills required.

Psychologists use a wide range of technical and people skills to be effective clinicians and counsellors. In order to relate to patients and determine the most effective course of treatment for them, a good counsellor balances their logical and empathic thinking. Research, active listening, communication, behavioural testing, teamwork, ethics, patience, problem-solving, and mediation are some of the essential skills for psychologists.

Where Can I Learn More About Psychology?

In 51±¬ÁĎ, the School of Psychology offers multiple programmes for you to choose from. We provide a path for education that starts with an International Foundation Diploma and ends with a Master’s degree in Psychological Science. We provide a holistic learning experience that covers the fundamentals of the five fields of psychology – cognitive, clinical, social, developmental, and biological – all under one roof.

View some of the psychology courses that 51±¬ÁĎ has to offer.

Diploma programme | /-international-foundation-diploma-in-stema-psychology

Degree programme | /bachelor-of-science-hons-in-psychological-and-behavioural-science

For programme enquiries, please contact our friendly consultants:

Mr Douglas Koh | Mobile/WhatsApp: +65 9430 1901 | Email: douglas_kohfb@mdis.edu.sg

Mr Wilson Neo | Mobile/WhatsApp: +65 9673 3392 | Email: wilson_neows@mdis.edu.sg

There is still a stigma about mental health, and the only way we can get rid of it is by educating ourselves. Here is how we can help identify the different mental health issues (please seek professional advice, especially if you are experiencing any of the following, below):  

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Anxiety is the leading mental health condition today. How do we know if it is an anxiety disorder or a feeling of anxiousness? How do we differentiate between the two? According to , normal anxiety lasts as long as the situation or problem, while anxiety disorder might not be related to any specific situation. 

Anxiety  

• Related to a specific situation or problem 
• Lasts only as long as the situation or problem 
• Proportional to the situation or problem 
• Seemingly realistic response to a realistic problem  

Anxiety Disorder  

• Anxiety may come up unexpectedly, and might not be related to a specific situation 
• The anxiety response to a situation or problem may be much stronger than they expect 
• They may experience a lot of unrealistic anxiety, such as fear of an unlikely situation  
• Anxiety may last for a long time, even when the situation or problem has been resolved 
• Anxiety may feel impossible to control or manage 
• They may avoid situations or things that they believe will trigger their anxiety symptoms 

Below are some of the most common types of anxiety disorders: 

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Involves constant, severe anxiety that interferes with day-to-day activities. 

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Experience intrusive and unreasonable thoughts, fears, and obsessions that lead to repetitive behaviors and compulsions. 

Panic Disorder: Characterized by constant fearfulness and frequent, sudden attacks of terror and panic. 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD usually develops after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. It is also possible for individuals to experience trauma without suffering a major catastrophic event. 

Social Anxiety Disorder: This mental health condition manifests as irrational anxiety, fear, self-consciousness, and embarrassment in everyday social interactions. 

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We have felt sadness to some degree, but do we know if our emotional state is one that might require seeking medical or professional help? 

What is the difference between situational depression and clinical depression? 

Situational depression is a short-term form of depression, an emotional state that occurs after a person experiences a traumatic event or change in their life. It usually occurs within 90 days (about 3 months) after the event. It is considered an adjustment disorder while clinical depression is considered a mood disorder. If recovery from situational disorder does not occur within a few weeks, then clinical depression may develop. 

Symptoms can include: 

• Sadness, tearfulness 
• Feeling nervous, tired, or hopeless 
• Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or heart palpitations 
• Behavioral signs such as arguing and fighting more or skipping school/work 
• Changes in sleeping or eating habits 
• Using alcohol or drugs 

No type of depression is more “real” than the other. 

According to the , depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Symptoms must last at least two weeks and must represent a change in your previous level of functioning for a diagnosis of depression. 

Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include: 

• Persistent sadness, emptiness, or depressed mood 
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities 
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism 
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness 
• Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed-down” 
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions 
• Insomnia or oversleeping/trouble waking up in morning 
• Appetite and/or weight changes 
• Restlessness, irritability, anxiety 
• Persistent physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or heart palpitations 
• Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts 

Also, medical conditions (e.g., thyroid problems, a brain tumour or vitamin deficiency) can imitate symptoms of depression so it is important to rule out other causes with a medical exam. 

Eating Disorder 

Eating disorders affect people of all backgrounds; genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights.  

There are different ways to identify eating disorders – emotional and behavioural and physical symptoms. While there are different types of eating disorders, here are some common symptoms to look out for: 

Emotional & Behavioural  

• In general, behaviors and attitudes that indicate that weight loss, dieting, and control of food are becoming primary concerns 
• Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, carbohydrates, fat grams, and dieting 
• Refusal to eat certain foods, progressing to restrictions against whole categories of food (e.g., no carbohydrates, etc.) 
• Appears uncomfortable eating around others 
• Food rituals (e.g. eats only a particular food or food group [e.g. condiments], excessive chewing, doesn’t allow foods to touch) 
• Skipping meals or taking small portions of food at regular meals 
• Any new practices with food or fad diets, including cutting out entire food groups (no sugar, no carbs, no dairy, vegetarianism/veganism) 
• Withdrawal from usual friends and activities 
• Frequent dieting 
• Extreme concern with body size and shape  
• Frequent checking in the mirror for perceived flaws in appearance 
• Extreme mood swings 

Physical 

• Noticeable fluctuations in weight, both up and down 
• Stomach cramps, other non-specific gastrointestinal complaints (constipation, acid reflux, etc.) 
• Menstrual irregularities — missing periods or only having a period while on hormonal contraceptives (this is not considered a “true” period) 
• Difficulties concentrating 
• Abnormal laboratory findings (anemia, low thyroid and hormone levels, low potassium, low white and red blood cell counts) 
• Dizziness, especially upon standing 
• Fainting/syncope 
• Feeling cold all the time 
• Sleep problems 
• Cuts and calluses across the top of finger joints (a result of inducing vomiting) 
• Dental problems, such as enamel erosion, cavities, and tooth sensitivity 
• Dry skin and hair, and brittle nails 
• Swelling around area of salivary glands 
• Fine hair on body (lanugo) 
• Cavities, or discoloration of teeth, from vomiting 
• Muscle weakness 
• Yellow skin (in context of eating large amounts of carrots) 
• Cold, mottled hands and feet or swelling of feet 
• Poor wound healing 
• Impaired immune functioning 

It is important to be aware of and understand how we are feeling emotionally, mentally, and physically. As people, it is crucial that we have our own circles or communities that we can rely on – which is why it is important to also look out for our family and peers – extend a hand if they might be in need as it can make all the difference.  

Click here if you are interested in learning and understanding more about mental health and psychology.  

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