Exams And Mental Health- An Analysis by VedPrep

Mental Health is a very important part of a person’s life. Especially in a country like India, where 14% of its population suffers from small to severe mental health problems. According to a 2018 report by World Health Organisation, India is the most depressed country in the world followed by China and USA.

With so many exams around the corner and so many result declarations, it’s time that we talk about mental health and help you understand it better.

Table Of Contents

1. Why is Mental Health is so important?
2. Early signs someone is suffering from Mental Health Disorders
3. Students and Mental Health

• Mental Health is still a Taboo
• Problem with our education system
• Peer Pressure

4. What to do if you’re suffering from Mental Health Problems
5. Role of Parents

Why Is Mental Health So Important?

India recently became the most populous country in the world, and with an increase in population, there is an increase in competition. Suicide rates among students in India increased by 52% in the year 2019 than the suicide rate recorded in the year 2007 which shows how the youth of our country is affected by the increase in competition.

A person suffering from Mental Health issues suffers from the inside and might not have any idea about it until it’s too late to seek help. 

This is why it’s very important that one keeps a check of their Mental Health and look out for early signs so that they can seek help as soon as you possible.

Early signs someone is suffering from Mental Health Disorders

People suffering from Mental Health Disorders can be affected in many ways. Some might see physical changes while some can notice behavioral issues. Here are some of the Early Signs that indicate that you might be having some Mental Health Issues:

1. You might notice a loss of appetite: One might notice a loss in appetite for multiple days and won’t be bothered by it. Prolonged loss in appetite can be an early sign of poor mental health and one should seek professional help if they’re going through something. People suffering from anxiety show a loss of appetite which can be treated with counseling and therapy sessions.
2. You start eating a lot: If you’ve been eating uncontrollably for some days now, then it can be a sign to seek some professional help. People suffering from mental stress tend to eat a lot to cope with their stress. This turns into a habit, inviting other health-related issues like obesity, diabetes, etc. So if you find yourself eating more than usual, maybe it’s time to take a break and think about it.
3. You become extremely aggressive: People suffering from mental health problems show behavioral issues which may include extreme/unusual aggression. It mostly happens with people who have been under prolonged stress which accumulates over time making the person aggressive as a release of all the build-up. You should immediately seek professional help if this is the case with you so that you can help yourself out.
4. You start performing badly in your college/school: A deteriorating academic performance can also be an early sign of a mental health problem which is why one should evaluate if they are not studying enough or if they’re not getting results even after doing their best. If you’re working hard and still not getting the desired results, then maybe it’s time you seek professional help.

(Note: A single sign is not enough to conclude if you’re suffering from mental health problems or not, but if you notice multiple signs then it might be the right time to seek some professional help)

Students and Mental Health

The students have always suffered in this highly competitive environment of our country. With the pressure to provide for their families, the students have been fighting all along to crack the examinations while competing with millions of students for a few thousand seats. 

Students are so busy in the rat race that they don’t care about their mental health anymore.

Let’s take a look at why our students have been compromising their Mental Health:

• Mental Health is still a Taboo

We live in a country where if someone feels pain in their chest, they seek immediate medical attention but no one cares even after suffering from mental health problems for years. Even though we know how important one’s mental health is, they won’t mention it due to the stigma in our society. 

People tend to confuse mental health problems with madness which is the main reason why people still treat the topic as taboo.

1. Problems with our education system: Our education system is also a major contributor to the poor mental health of our students. With poor management and almost negligible funds for mental health counseling, our education system fails to provide mental health support to almost 83% of students who need mental health support.
2. Peer Pressure: One of the main reasons for the poor mental health our students is the peer pressure put on them by their families, friends, teachers, and even society. Students are put in highly competitive environments and are expected to ace them. Most Indian parents force their children into professions of their interest completely neglecting the interest of their children.
3. Social Media and Toxic Content: Believe it or not, social media content has always been deteriorating the mental health of our students in one way or the other. From showing lavish and unrealistic lifestyles to toxic content, Social media has always contributed to mental health issues.
4. Relationships & Students: These days, it’s very common for students to be in romantic relationships which is not a bad thing at all. Romantic relationships are supposed to be fun and enjoyable while being there for each other and supporting your partner when they’re having a tough time. A common problem in relationships is the lack of understanding between the partners when they’re in an argument. 

What To Do If You’re Suffering From Mental Health Problems

1. Open Up! You’re Not Alone: You don’t have to suffer from mental health problems if you know you’re suffering. We know it’s hard but you can always open up to your friends and family about your feelings. Open up to anyone whom you trust with your feelings. You should know that people care about you and they want the best for you, so let it all out it’ll definitely help you.
2. Time for Therapy: If you can’t open up to someone, then your best option is to go for therapy and find the root cause of your problems with some professional help. A therapist can always help you fight your mental problems and make you feel better with both medical and psychological treatment. India is a country where going for therapy is not seen with a good perspective but if you need therapy, then there’s no shame to go for it. Therapy will help you deal with the stigma towards therapy which will definitely change your perspective towards therapy.
3. A Healthy Mind Resides In A Healthy Body: This might sound far-fetched but, dedicating some time to meditation and exercise can have positive effects on your mental health. When you make yourself busy with physical activities, your mind tends you focus on the activity instead of your issues. And practicing meditation helps you declutter your thoughts and release the build-up which will ultimately help you feel better over time.
4. Understand your partner’s side in a relationship: If you’re in a relationship and you feel your partner just doesn’t understand your feelings, the best thing you can do for both of you is to tell them how you feel. Your partner can’t read your mind which is why no matter how stupid it might sound, go talk about your feeling with them. A good partner might not understand your feelings completely but if you talk it through they’ll definitely understand. So no matter how stressed you are, if that exam is a lot to handle, if you’re having issues at home, if you can’t handle the peer pressure, or if you’re just hurt, TALK ABOUT IT!

And to all the partners out there, make sure you’re checking in on your partner’s mental health and try to help them out in all the ways you can.

Role Of Parents 

Parents play a crucial role in the mental health of their children. In most cases, poor parenting has turned out to be the root cause of poor mental health in students. If you’re a parent, you should know that your child might hesitate to come to you with their problems which is why you need to take some steps so that they tell you what’s wrong.

1. Know that your child wants to make you proud too: Your child knows that you have great expectations of them which is why they work so hard to meet your expectations. Make sure you’re appreciating them for their hard work and show them that you care about them more than their results.
2. Talk to your child: Your child won’t tell you what’s wrong with them unless you talk to them on a regular basis. They have a whole different life than yours, they are in a different world than you once lived in. This is why you should talk to them about their life and take updates on what’s going on. 
3. Show them you care: Everyone has a busy life these days, but you should not forget to show your loved ones that you care for them. Your child has his own struggles, and some moments of love are always appreciated, so show them you love them and you care.
4. Be the person they come to when in trouble: You’re already a winner at parenting if your child seeks help from you when in trouble. Most children are afraid to tell their parents when they’re in trouble due to poor and abusive parenting but if your child comes to you with their problems, just know that they trust you and they see you as a friend.

Mental Problems are more common than we think, which is why it’s time that we start taking them seriously for a healthier life. It’s an individual’s responsibility to take care of themselves and the people around them by checking on each other from time to time and if someone is going through something, it’s your duty to listen to them and understand how they feel. A healthy world can only be built by people who are healthy both physically and mentally, which is why no matter if you’re a student, a parent, or a working professional, start taking care of your mental health as you take care of your physical health.

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