Mental health problems are causes when one is faced with a much larger stressor than usual and these occur in the form of an expected event in one's life. For example; death of a loved one, moving to another state/country, has a physical illness. When one encounters such large stressors, they experience negative emotions such as sadness, grief, anger etc.
These emotions are accompanied by other difficulties in different areas such as thinking. An example of a thought that might pop in your head after being encountered with a large stressor is "this will never be the same". Another area which may cause difficulty is physical for e.g. having a disturbed sleep pattern, headaches and other pains. And the last difficulty is behavioral. This difficulty results in social withdrawal, angry outbursts etc.
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When teenagers experience a mental health problem, it is extremely explicit and noticeable in one's everyday life. In addition to the stress management skills and health enhancing activities that decrease mental distress, young people will need additional support to help them through a situation. This help could be taking time away from school, to be with people you are comfortable with such as parents or friends.
In certain cases, help can come from a counselor or a religious leader as well. Help can also be pursued from a person who has been through the same situation. Medical treatment is usually not required. The presence of a supportive adult such as a teacher is a key factor that can help you deal with a mental problem.
It is essential that if you identify an individual in your surrounding who may have a mental health problem, you must go and try to help them if needed. At times, after a death of a loved one people acts out in different ways and a common one is withdrawal from people and this is quite noticeable. If you have ever had a similar experience, you should go and try to help someone who is facing the same issue.
People often get confused between a mental health problem and a mental illness. Being mentally healthy is directly connected to your life experiences such as relationships with others. Just as people experience difficulties with their physical health over their course of their lifetime, people may also experience trouble with their mental health which can affect ones thinking, mood and their behavior. This does not mean that a person who is going through a difficult experience has a mental health illness. Feeling sad or miserable and being isolated is a sign that one's mental health needs attention.
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Mental illness refers to a wider range of disorders that affects ones mood, thinking and behavior. Mental illnesses can affect anyone irrespective, of age or gender. Mental illnesses are much more serious than any other stage of mental health and it cannot be overcome with your skills or help from your environment because it is caused by biological factors such as genes, brain chemistry, trauma etc.
It is hard to identify if you have a mental health problem or a mental health illness. However an easy way to identify the difference is by identifying a cause. A mental health problem is caused by an unexpected or expected event that takes place in one's life while a mental illness is caused by genetics usually and isn't linked to the events that take place in one's life.
