World Schizophrenia Week

Every Year from May 20-27, Schizophrenia Week is celebrated worldwide with May 24, dedicated as World Schizophrenia Day. Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that hinders the function of the brain, making a person incapable to think, react, and feel. The whole week is dedicated to raise awareness about schizophrenia and to fight the stigma associated with it. According to the statistics of World Health Organization (WHO), about 21 million people are affected by this psychiatric disorder all over the world.

There are many myths associated with schizophrenia and are often misdiagnosed as other mental conditions such as bipolar disorder. Hence, it is very important to raise awareness about this condition. One of the most popular myths is that the people suffering from schizophrenia have Split personality disorder.  Psychosis, which includes hallucinations and delusions, is a hallmark symptom of schizophrenia which makes others to think that they might have Split personality disorder. Because of the periods of psychosis, the condition is also misdiagnosed as Bipolar Disorder sometimes. People with bipolar I disorder can have psychotic symptoms during mania and/or depression, and those with bipolar II can have them during an episode of depression.

Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder and the average age of its occurrence is late adolescence or early adulthood i.e., 16 to 30 of age.  Researches shows that it affects both men and women equally but there might be an earlier onset of the condition in males. The people suffering from Schizophrenia are also more likely to die younger than rest of the population as it co-associated with or people are at high risk of other medical conditions such as diabetes and cardiac diseases. It is not always that people with schizophrenia are dangerous or violent, or they live in hospital or homeless. Most people with schizophrenia live with family, in group homes or on their own.

The cause of schizophrenia is not well known but both hereditary and genetic factors contribute to it. Some other factors include brain chemistry and substance abuse.  The condition is totally treatable and proper medication and treatment helps to live a normal and harmonious life. Psychiatrists evaluate symptoms, tests, and medical history, and prescribe medications and psychotherapy for treatment.

Healthy Mind at Work place

The statistics suggest that one out of six people suffers from mental health problems which mainly include depression and anxiety. Earlier it was said that a person must be active and working to avoid mental health problems. But with the increase in workplace competition, workload and negative work environment (such as harassment and bullying), nowadays, it has become one of the major reasons for the mental illnesses, leaving behind the stress due to debts and financial problems.

Though unemployment is a well known risk factor for mental illness and getting work is said to be protective, a negative working environment, however, may lead to physical and mental health problems, substance abuse and addictions, absenteeism and lost productivity. Stress from work can also hinder family relations and friendships, and even increase risks for chronic illnesses and heart attacks.

Risks to mental health in the workplace include:

• High and unrelenting workload;
• Low levels of support for employees;
• Minimal wage growth;
• Lack of opportunity to advance;
• Inflexible working hours;
• A work environment that does not encourage teamwork;
• Unclear tasks or organizational objectives;
• Poor communication and management practices;
• Bullying and psychological harassment and many more

Creating a Mentally Healthy Workplace

Creating a healthy surrounding to promote mental health not only results in the better mind but also in better and increase productivity, reduction in absenteeism, and few other benefit from associated economic gains. In a healthy workplace, a person feels valued, supported, and energetic towards their tasks with the respectful surrounding.

There are a number of different strategies and plans for organizations to achieve a healthy workplace. Some of them are:

• Educate and create awareness about mental health: create such an environment so that a person will free to share their loads and problems;
• Productive atmosphere: respectful, appreciated, incentivized, and rewarded surrounding with no signs of intimidation, bullying, sexual harassment, and fear. Good working relationship with all staff.
• Liveable wage: encourages a committed and sustained workforce.
• Open and effective Communication
• Act and Support: Create opportunities and promote work-life balance

With the various measures taken by the organizations, we should also look for our health as it is or mind and health which is getting affected. Following are the tips that help to restore your mental wellness:

• Do not work overtime unnecessarily
• Take necessary breaks
• Go for holidays
• Give time to your family and friends
• Allocate time to do the things you enjoy
• Eat healthy and take adequate sleep
• Look for your body weight and fitness