On a bus with passengers of different destinations, a diversity of professions, a variety of races, a smorgasbord of ages, different financial statuses, a cornucopia of interests; I came to the realisation that just as we have differences in our backgrounds, so do we in the our mental health status. Just as our physical health can vary widely, so too can our mental well-being. Some of us may be thriving, while others quietly struggle with unseen burdens.

Mental health is deeply personal, shaped by our unique life experiences, challenges, and support systems.The World Health Organisation1 recognises mental health as “a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.”

It is a fundamental aspect of the health and well-being of a person, and it is central to a person’s ability to make decisions, have relationships, and shape the society and the world. In other words, if a person is unable to function enough to contribute to his or her personal growth and that of society’s then such a person could be said to have mental health issues.

What could be the cause of mental health?

Mental health does not discriminate—it can affect every gender, every age, every race—nor does it care about one's financial status; everyone all over the world is a potential victim2. However, females are more susceptible to mental health mostly from depression3. Men, too, face unique pressures that can take a toll on their mental health, often struggling in silence due to societal expectations to be strong and stoic. This can lead to unspoken battles that remain unnoticed until they reach a breaking point. Among the causes are hereditary, experiencing traumatic events, stressful environments, etc.

Mental health issues

Generalised anxiety disorder

Everyone worries about something; whether paying the bills, passing one’s exams, being unemployed, looking after one’s children, etc. However, when it gets out of hand, when the worry becomes constant, then it becomes an anxiety disorder.

Panic disorders

When you experience frequent panic attacks characterised by a wave of fear and loss of control with symptoms such as pounding or rapid heart rate, trembling, tingling or numb hands, sweating. stomach pain or nausea, difficulty breathing, chills. It can occur several times a day or a couple times a year.

Social anxiety disorder

Many people experience fear of doing anything that requires public interactions such as giving public speeches, interacting with people, using the public place of convenience, performing on stage, etc. because of the fear of being judged and found wanting. As a result they display symptoms such as blushing, sweating, trembling, having a rapid heart rate, feeling their minds go blank or feeling sick to their stomachs, having the fear of being judged, speaking in soft tones, not making eye-contact, having a rigid posture, feeling self-conscious, and avoiding places where there are a lot of people.

Phobias

Having a phobia means having a persistent, “unreasonable”, and overwhelming fear of something—a person, animals, feelings or events. This might have been as a result of a childhood trauma or a biological effect passed on by parents etc.4 There are so many phobias—fear of spiders (arachnophobia), cats (ailurophobia), acrophobia (fear of heights), confined spaces (claustrophobia), Agoraphobia (fear of being in public places) etc.5

Signs you have mental health issues

Signs of mental health issues can include withdrawing from friends, family, and colleagues; avoiding activities you would usually enjoy; sleeping too much or too little; eating too much or too little; feeling hopeless; having consistently low energy; using mood-altering substances, including alcohol and nicotine, more frequently; displaying negative emotions; being confused; being unable to complete daily tasks, such as getting to work or cooking a meal; having persistent thoughts or memories that reappear regularly; thinking of causing physical harm to yourself or others; hearing voices; and experiencing delusions.6

Stigmatisation

The fear of being labeled mad or mentally unfit or mentally unstable has prevented a lot of people from seeking help. According to the Pan-African Health Organisation3, "stigma, social exclusion, and discrimination can occur around people with mental disorders compound the situation.”

Finance and treatment

Mental disorders are common "throughout the world and are major contributors to morbidity, disability, and premature mortality. However, the resources allocated by countries to tackle this burden are insufficient, are inequitably distributed, and, at times, inefficiently used. Together, this has led to a treatment gap that, in many countries, is more than 70%.”3

Anxiety disorders are the most common form of mental health. However there are so many mental health issues such as schizophrenia disorder, mood disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, etc. There are over 200 types of mental health illnesses.7

Despite these challenges, it is important to remember that recovery is possible. With the right support, many people with mental health issues can lead fulfilling lives, contributing positively to their communities and achieving their personal goals.

Like most health issues, mental health is a field that is continuously being researched, and as a result, new knowledge is being acquired all the time. In this bus of mental health, no one is exempted—you are a candidate, I am a candidate, and the whole world is not excluded. Let us be kind to people with mental health issues—the people who have reached their tail end.

Notes

1 World Health Organisation, Concepts in mental health, 17 June 2022.
2 American Psychiatric Association, What is Mental Illness?, Njoku, I, 2022.
3 Pan American Health Organisation, Mental Health, 2024.
4 NHS, Overview - Phobias, 2022.
5 Harvard Health Publishing, Phobia, 2024.
6 Medical News Today, What is Mental Health, Feldman. A., & Tee-Melegrito.A.R., 2024.
7 Cleveland Clinic, Mental Health Disorders, 2022.
8 National Institute of Mental Health, Anxiety Disorders, 2025.