We’re creating this project to break the silence, challenge stigma, and remind people that struggling with their mental health is not a sign of weakness. It’s an eye-opener to show that mental health matters just as much as physical health, and to provide a space for education, support, and understanding. Everyone deserves to know they're not alone.
Mental health is about how people think, feel, and behave. Mental health care professionals can help people manage conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, addiction, and other disorders that affect their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
According to the World Health Organization(WHO).
“Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.”
1.Biological Factors
- Genetics and family history of mental health disorders.
- Brain chemistry and hormonal changes.
2. Psychological Factors
- Trauma or abuse during childhood.
- Chronic stress or unresolved emotional issues.
- Personality traits, such as low self-esteem or perfectionism.
3. Environmental Factors
- Living in a high-stress environment (e.g., poverty, violence).
- Social isolation or lack of support networks.
- Major life changes (e.g., divorce, job loss).
4. Lifestyle Factors
- Substance abuse (drugs, alcohol).
- Poor diet and lack of exercise.
- Sleep disturbances.
5.Health Conditions
- Chronic physical illnesses (e.g., diabetes, cancer).
- Neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., ADHD, autism).
6. Cultural and Societal Factors
- Discrimination or social stigma.
- Cultural expectations and pressures.
Anxiety disorder is a mental health condition characterized by excessive and persistent feelings of worry, fear, or apprehension. These feelings can interfere with daily activities and lead to physical symptoms.
Characterized by chronic, excessive worry about various aspects of life, such as work, health, or social interactions.
Physical Symptoms:
-Restlessness
-Fatigue
-Poor Concertation
-Interrupted Sleeps
Panic disorder is an anxiety condition marked by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, causing intense fear and physical symptoms.
Physical symptoms:
-Rapid heartbeat
-Shortness of breath
-Sweating
-Fear of losing control or "going crazy"
-Fear of dying
Phobias are intense, irrational fears of specific objects, situations, or activities that lead to significant anxiety and avoidance behaviour.
-Simple Phobias(Ex. Fear of specific objects and animals)
-Social Phobias(Ex.Fear of being Judged by other)
-Agoraphobia (Fear of situations for example being in an elevator or a moving train)
Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, affect people emotionally. Having a mood disorder may raise your risk of suicide. This risk is higher if the mood disorder is serious and you also have problems with alcohol or drugs.
An individual with major depression experiences a constant low mood and loses interest in activities and events that they previously enjoyed (anhedonia).
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at specific times of the year, usually in the fall and winter months when daylight hours are shorter.
The term “schizophrenia” often refers to a spectrum of disorders characterized by features of psychosis and other severe symptoms.
According to the NIMH, signs of schizophrenia typically develop between the ages of 16 to 30. Schizophrenia has negative and positive symptoms. Positive symptoms include delusions, thought disorders, and hallucinations, while withdrawal, lack of motivation, and a flat or inappropriate mood are examples of negative symptoms.
Many young people struggle with mental health but still smile in front of others. This “smiling mask” helps them fit in and avoid showing their pain. They might feel lonely or anxious inside but think they need to act happy to meet others' expectations. Keeping up this front can be tiring. It often stops them from asking for help or sharing how they really feel, leading to even more sadness or stress. Creating a space where young people can talk openly about their feelings is important. When they feel safe to share their struggles, they can start to feel less alone. It’s vital to remind them that it’s okay to not be okay, and asking for help is a brave thing to do.