Unusual - 50 Facts about mental health
We all have mental health just as we all have physical health. In the same way that our bodies cooperate with our wishes more on some days than others, and can be vulnerable to injury and illness, so too do our minds.
Discussing mental health is no longer seen as taboo in most places and nor should it be. Openness about mental health, including our struggles as well as our triumphs, is key to making it just as routine to seek help and support when we need it for our minds in the same way that we think nothing of having a physical injury attended to by professionals.
In the interests of encouraging us all to talk more about mental health, here are 50 mental health facts to get you thinking and talking!
Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide (World Health Organisation).
Three-quarters of mental illnesses start before the age of 24 (Mental Health Foundation).
Over a quarter of adults with a serious mental illness also have an issue with substance abuse. (US Government)
Most mental health issues are not acute and are only temporary (Scientific American).
Anxiety about climate change is a real and increasing condition (American Psychology Association).
The bacteria in our guts can have a significant impact on our mental health (Nature).
Not getting enough sleep can cause mental (and physical) health problems (Columbia University).
Burnout from stress at work is a real and recognised mental health issue (World Health Organisation).
Issues with mental health can cause problems with physical health, such as heart disease and back problems (Mental Health Foundation).
Your brain can only do one thing at a time. If it keeps switching between tasks, it performs less well (Medical Daily).
There are physical differences in the brains of introverts and extroverts (Therapy Changes).
If your brain was a computer, it could store around 2.5 million gigabytes. That is a lot of episodes of The Big Bang Theory. (Scientific American)
Our emotions produce chemicals which can physically change our brains. It is no wonder that we cannot think straight when upset or surprised (Medical News Today).
Our brains start to work more slowly from the age of 24, so most of us are already in decline! (Simon Fraser University) However…
The brain is not fully developed until the age of 25. It starts slowing down before it is even finished! (University of Rochester)
The electricity in your brain could power a lightbulb. But not a very big one – we are all literally a bit dim! (National Geographic)
Your brain needs cholesterol to work properly and uses about a quarter of the cholesterol in the body. (American Heart Association)
Exercise can help your memory and ability to learn. Healthy body, healthy mind really is true! (The Guardian)
A lack of serotonin in the brain can cause depression – but most serotonin is stored in the intestine. (Healthline)
Giving a compliment to someone produces oxytocin in the brain which can make you feel connected and is linked to love. (Harvard)
Thoughts can travel at up to 120 mph. But still not fast enough to win the pub quiz or remember that very familiar looking person’s name before they start speaking to you. (BBC)
Walking through a doorway really can make you forget why you were going into that room. Write yourself a note first. (Psychonomic Bulletin)
Depression has been shown to impair memory. (Journal of Clinical Psychiatry)
There are physical differences in the brains of left-handed and right-handed people, and left-handed people generally have better memories. (Max Planck Institute)
Having a routine can improve your mental health. (Northwestern medicine)
Schizophrenia does not involve having multiple personalities – it is a serious condition that can include hallucinations and delusion as well as many other symptoms. (Penn State University)
Many comedians use comedy as a method to manage depression or anxiety, known as the sad clown paradox. (Psycom)
People with depression are more at risk of having low bone density. (Nature)
Alcohol may give short-term relief from mental health challenges but can do long-term harm. (Mental Health Foundation)
Most people with mental illness are not violent, and only 3-5% of violent incidents can be linked to mental health problems. But those with mental illness are much more likely than others to be the victims of crimes. (Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority)
Around 10% of people find it hard to describe their feelings. (Autistica)
Using GPS all the time can make us lose our sense of direction. If we had one in the first place. (Nature)
Nobody is left-brained or right brained. We all use all of our brains. (Healthline)
Alcohol does not destroy brain cells but can damage the connections between neurons. (Verywellmind)
95% of our decisions are taken subconsciously, which is why subconscious bias is so important to recognise. (New Scientist)
We would often prefer to do anything rather than just be alone with our thoughts – in one experiment, people gave themselves electric shocks rather than just doing nothing. (Science)
Neurodivergent conditions like autism and ADHD are not mental Illnesses. However, neurodivergent people often battle depression and anxiety due to the difficulties of living in a world that is not designed for the way that they think. (Mental Health Foundation)
Your mental health is unique to you like your physical health. Get to know your mind and what helps and hinders it as you do your body. (University of Utah)
It is never selfish to do what you need to do to protect your mental health. (Healthline)
Mental health is not always logical. You can be hugely successful and also have depression and anxiety. (Forbes)
Telling someone who is struggling to just snap out of it and cheer up is never kind or helpful. (Guardian)
Spending time with nature, even in a small city garden, will often help your mental health. (MIND)
Listening to classical music can improve memory. (National Library of Medicine)
Doing something that you know will damage someone’s mental health is just as violent and wrong as physically harming them. (Verywellmind)
You never know what someone else is going through mentally. Being kind is always the right course of action. (World Bank)
Air pollution can be bad for our brains as well as our lungs. (Science Daily)
People who are struggling often just want someone to empathise with them. They do not expect you to solve their problems. (Psychology Today)
Kindness and patience are hugely underrated tools for helping people struggling with their mental health. (Mental Health Foundation)
One of the hardest parts of mental illness can be feeling alone. A good friend who does not judge or run away can change everything. (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
If you are struggling with your mental health, it is not your fault, and you are not alone. There is lots of help and support available, and seeking assistance is not showing weakness – it is one of the bravest things that you can do. (NHS)
