There was a man who lived in my neighbourhood. I knew him just like every other child growing in my community at the time. He was a popular figure who was always alone and talk to himself. He lived with his old mother, she was old, vulnerable and frail. She was a popular chef in her younger days and had fed many generations through her food business. She had another son called ‘Old Soldier’. They all lived in a dilapidated bungalow adorned with huge metal pots and traditional wooden stoves. This was their home.

Old soldier was an ex-service man. He suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and his condition was seen as a form of entertainment.

Old Soldier’s brother, on the other hand, was quieter and chose whom he spoke to. I was told he was living abroad before returning home to his mother. He was hard working. He spoke fondly of his mother. He spoke of his wife and children. He was often seen talking to himself while roaming around the community. He knew everyone and everyone knew him. He was creative. Just like his brother, he had spells of normality, during these periods, he told stories no one knew about, he told stories of his younger self, his brother, his unknown children and his mother. However, the whole community saw these men as a bunch of idiots and they were treated as outcasts, underachievers and unimportant.

As I grow, I became aware of mental illness and it is far different from what I was made to perceive. People have different opinions relating to mental illnesses. There are stigmas attached to mental illnesses and these stigmas prevent over 60% of people affected by this illness to seek medical help. There are myths as well. The truth is we have limited knowledge about mental illness. Mental illness is illness just like heart diseases, cancer, arthritis, and diabetes. It has nothing to do with attention-seeking, spiritual weakness, diet or way of living and anyone can develop mental illness.

A lot of people living with mental illness go about their lives fulfilling their roles at work, home and community successfully. Mental illnesses are common and 1 in 4 people will experience diagnosable mental health problem in any given year. Mental illnesses affect both young and old, even children. About 4% of children aged between 5 -16 suffer from anxiety and depression. 1 in 10 young people will experience mental problem according to statistics. www.counselling-directory.org.uk/stats.html

Mental illness is very common and exists in different forms and shapes. Mental illness causes a disturbance in perception, thinking, and mood. This can affect the ability to cope with general demand and routines. If identified early, there are chances of full recovery. Mental illnesses are different and these are few of the most common ones: bipolar disorder, eating disorders, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, adjustment disorders, obsessive-Compulsive disorder (OCD), attention- deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD), Schizophrenia.

How do I know if I am unwell?

It is normal to feel sad, get angry, be nervous, upset, confused and moody. However, these feelings should not be in the way of everyday activities.  When this feeling starts affecting everything you do, there might be more to it.

Are your sadness or low mood affecting your sleep? Do you find it difficult to get out of bed or do other things because you are so sad? Are you anxious and your anxiety affects your going out? Are you angry? Is your anger is in the way of everything? Is the feeling you are having affecting your concentration on the simplest of tasks? Are you thinking of harming yourself? Have you ever thought of committing suicide?

There is something we all don’t like about our appearance, but, spending a significant amount of hours in front of the mirror concentrating on what you think is wrong with your body or appearance could be a sign of body dysmorphic disorder or another related issue.

A change in sleeping habit, appetite or loss of interest in pleasurable activities might be signs of depression.

What are the causes?

According to The Guardian ‘As with a lot of things, mental illness seems to be a combination of nature and nurture. However, there are genetic risk factors for certain conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. But the fact that some conditions run in families may be as much to do with social factors as genes.’ https://www.theguardian.com › World › UK News › Mental health

It is always helpful to speak to someone. It is never late to seek help. A problem shared is a problem half solved. Please seek professional help.

Please share this article for the benefit of other people.

For more information on mental illness, please visit the following websites:

http://’ https://www.theguardian.com › World › UK News › Mental health

www.counselling-directory.org.uk/stats.html

https://www.mind.org.uk/…mental-health-problems/…facts-about-mental-health/how-

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p018vhb7