“Mental health has an important role in every period of life”

Erciyes University (ERU) Faculty of Medicine, Department of Child, Adolescent Mental Health and Diseases. Head of the Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Diseases, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Esra Demirci made a statement on the occasion of “October 10 World Mental Health Day”; “Mental health has an important role in every period of life,” she said.

Head of the Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Diseases Assoc. Prof. Dr. Esra Demirci said that 'October 10 World Mental Health Day' is accepted as World Mental Health Day by the World Federation of Mental Health and is an important opportunity to draw attention to mental health and raise awareness on this issue. Emphasizing the work to be done to protect and strengthen the mental health of the new generation, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Esra Demirci said, “Education, awareness raising and development of support mechanisms contribute to increasing the mental well-being of young people. This day, which is celebrated with different events and campaigns around the world, aims to combat stigma and ensure access to mental health for all by emphasizing the importance of mental health in society. Providing appropriate support systems and resources for young people can make them more resilient during these challenging times. Raising awareness, ensuring that mental health is talked about and encouraging the search for support is a critical step in building healthier individuals and communities.”

Emphasizing the importance of mental health, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Demirci said, “Mental health has an important role in every period of life. Starting from childhood, difficulties experienced during adolescence and adulthood can deeply affect the emotional and mental development of individuals. The crises experienced in recent years (such as pandemics, wars, migrations and climate change) have made this situation even more evident. These events have had serious impacts on individuals' mental health, increasing problems such as anxiety, depression and stress. The need for health systems to develop mechanisms to support health workers has emerged as an important lesson in this process.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Esra Demirci said, “The fact that mental health is closely related to physical health is of great importance for the general well-being of individuals. Therefore, strengthening awareness and support mechanisms for mental health is key to building healthier societies. Investing in mental health will bring long-term benefits for both individuals and society. On the other hand, improving mental health helps individuals realize their potential and increases social solidarity and cooperation. Therefore, supporting policies and programs for mental health is essential to promote the health and well-being of both individuals and society. Adopting an integrated approach in all these areas to achieve global goals will allow societies to move towards a healthier and sustainable future.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Demirci listed small but effective suggestions for our own mental health as follows:

“Finding a purpose every day positively affects our mood and improves our quality of life. Activities that make us feel valuable and the time we spend with our loved ones strengthen our mental health. Finding happiness even in small things makes life more meaningful. So, what are the things that are valuable to you? Answering this question can be one of the first steps to take.”