“Our social mental health picture is broken”

Experts believe that economic problems, earthquakes and increasing violence have a negative impact on Turkey's mental health. Making evaluations within the scope of World Mental Health Day, Prof. Dr. Dilek Şirvanlı Özen said, “Our social mental health picture is broken. Although awareness about mental health is increasing in our country, the most important step is to invest more in preventive studies. Protecting our mental health is an important factor that will help us build a stronger society both physically and emotionally.”

Altınbaş University Psychology Department Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Dilek Şirvanlı Özen stated that mental problems lie at the basis of many physical diseases. She noted that research in this field shows that depression and chronic stress weaken the immune system and make the body more vulnerable. For this reason, she pointed out that protecting mental health is closely related not only to emotional well-being, but also to physical health and our social future.

“Internal distress and aggression are the cause of increasing incidents of violence”

Referring to the fact that major earthquakes and economic difficulties have left deep scars on our mental health, Şirvanlı Özen said: While earthquakes cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders and depression, recently economic difficulties have also been a common source of stress throughout society. In this process, many people felt insecure, hopeless and helpless. Increasing street violence, domestic tensions and bullying in schools can actually be seen as the outward manifestations of these mental states. The internal distress experienced by individuals began to manifest itself in society as aggression and violence.”

Beware of unconscious use of antidepressants

Stating that there has been a significant increase in the use of antidepressants in Turkey in recent years, Şirvanlı Özen said that this increase can be seen as an indication that awareness of mental health problems has increased in society and that people are seeking more support. On the other hand, she noted that it is also possible to say that the use of antidepressants has become a “fashion”. In particular, antidepressants have started to be seen as a solution and people have started to turn to these drugs unconsciously. However, he pointed out that it is possible to improve mental health not only with medication, but also with supportive therapies and lifestyle changes.

“Steps should be taken to prevent problems from the very beginning”

Şirvanlı Özen made important suggestions on how to protect mental health. She explained that it is not enough to intervene only when problems arise, steps should be taken to prevent problems from the very beginning. “Instead of treating diseases, it is both more effective and easier to prevent them before they occur. Our mental health does not only depend on genetic and biological factors. Many external factors such as our social environment, economic status, educational opportunities, housing conditions and general physical health also shape our mood. Therefore, it is possible to protect mental health, establish healthy relationships, develop skills to cope with stress and strengthen our emotional intelligence.”