A quiet struggle may be hidden behind a smile. It is important to foster a culture of compassion and understanding regarding mental health issues. The confusion between mental health and mental illness can slow down the provision of critically important care, increase stigmatization, and prevent people from seeking life-saving support.
Mental health represents a fluctuating spectrum of emotional well-being inherent in every person. In contrast, a mental illness is a specific, diagnosable medical condition requiring targeted clinical intervention. Shifting the perspective on the issue from a personal failing to a health matter is crucial, especially against the backdrop of recent profound national grief.
In recent weeks, South Africa has experienced a severe shock following the sudden and tragic death of midfielder for 'Bafana Bafana' and 'Mamelodi Sundowns', Jayden Adams, at the age of 25, who recently represented the country on the world stage. Public discussions, supported by figures such as actor Weeseman Mncube, have highlighted the invisible, hidden battles that many carry behind facades of success and career achievements.
The collective grief caused by this tragedy serves as a stark reminder that, according to estimates, one in three South Africans will face a mental health issue during their lifetime. However, our everyday language has not yet caught up to the level of empathy: we often say we are 'experiencing mental health difficulties,' when in reality, we might be experiencing complete burnout, mourning a significant loss, or clinical depression.
Understanding this distinction is not merely a semantic debate; it is the first step toward receiving the correct help.
To understand one's own state, it is useful to examine how healthcare experts differentiate these concepts. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the differences are clearly defined:
It is completely normal to feel deep sadness, stress, or overwhelm during natural life downturns. Nevertheless, knowing when a difficult emotional period transitions into a potential mental illness is a critical boundary.
Mental health is not just the absence of disease; it is an integral part of overall well-being. Dr. Themba Khadibe, Clinical Director at Bonitas Medical Fund, emphasizes that the key is observing the persistence of these feelings. He notes: 'It is normal to experience stress, sadness, or anxiety from time to time. However, when these feelings persist, intensify, or begin to affect daily functioning, they may indicate something more serious that requires attention and support.'
The dual continuum model demonstrates that mental health and mental illness exist on two entirely separate levels. They are not opposites but can coexist simultaneously.
One can have a mental illness while maintaining good mental health: A person diagnosed with clinical depression can lead a full and happy life if their condition is properly managed through therapy, medication, and a stable routine. Conversely, one can have no mental illness but still suffer from poor mental health: A person without any clinical diagnoses may suffer from severe emotional distress, not functioning and being in decline due to extreme burnout, grief, or loneliness.
Essentially, a diagnosis does not doom one to an unhappy life, nor does the absence of a diagnosis guarantee peace of mind. Just as we take care of our physical health, we must normalize conversations about mental illness and seek help when needed.
Khadibe insists that 'we need to normalize conversations about mental illness just as we normalize conversations about physical health.' If an acquaintance develops asthma or diabetes, we do not advise them to 'choose happiness' or 'just tough it out'; we provide them with support, sympathy, and medication. Clinical mental illnesses deserve the same medical legitimation.
If you are going through a difficult period, basic mental hygiene, such as regular physical exercise, setting boundaries on social media, and open communication with friends, will serve as an excellent foundation. However, if you are facing a mental illness, remember that it is not a personal failure, and you cannot simply handle it alone. It is necessary to consult specialists, utilize support groups such as the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), or consider programs like the Bonitas Mental Health Programme. Free confidential counseling and emotional support are available across South Africa through LifeLine, HEAL-SA, and Dis-Chem Health; one should find an expert to guide them through this journey.
A researcher warned about the extreme seriousness of the situation occurring in the context of school exams.
Assessment errors were identified in Geography exams, which requires the publication of new guidelines. Schools have experienced an intense morning due to the need to deal with guidelines, forms, and re-evaluation processes. Grades for the 9th grade have already been released.
The PS has insisted on the possibility of free revision of national exams. On the other hand, a statement made by Chega criticizes the Minister of Education, referring to an 'imprudence' on his part.
The guidelines related to the Physics and Chemistry exams for the 11th grade had to be corrected due to a classification error.
Frequent consumption of television content is associated with an increase in the volume of hyperintense white matter, which is detected on magnetic resonance imaging. This increase indicates processes of demyelination and axonal loss caused by impaired microcirculation. Furthermore, individuals who regularly watch television showed a decrease in the volume of certain cortical areas of the cerebral hemispheres.
It is important to note that a sedentary lifestyle accompanied by mental activity, such as working on a computer, did not cause similar negative changes. The results of this study were published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
There are many studies linking physical activity to maintaining brain structure in areas related to dementia. Conversely, accumulated data suggest that a sedentary lifestyle may increase the probability of developing dementia, but the impact of such a lifestyle on changes in brain structure remains insufficiently studied. Attention is also lacking regarding how a sedentary lifestyle can manifest in different behavioral scenarios, each having its own cognitive and physiological impact.
The research team, led by Nathan Fetter from the University of Southern California, studied the relationship between different forms of sedentary behavior and changes in brain structures in 1712 healthy individuals whose age ranged from middle-aged to elderly (the average age of the group was 53 years). Participants self-assessed their frequency of watching television and time spent sitting at work using the Beck Physical Activity Questionnaire. Time spent in front of the television was classified into five categories: 'Never', 'Rarely', 'Sometimes', 'Often', and 'Very often'. Sitting at work was determined by selecting one option for the statement 'At work you sit...': 'Do not work', 'Never', 'Rarely', 'Sometimes', 'Often', or 'Always.'
Upon final data collection, the average age of participants reached 76 years, and the average observation period was 23.7 years. Scientists established a context-dependent relationship between sedentary lifestyle and changes in several brain areas. Of particular interest was very frequent television viewing, which correlated with a decrease in the volume of specific areas.
The opposite pattern was observed in participants who reported always sitting while working, including computer work; they demonstrated a significant increase in volume. Additional analysis showed that watching television was associated with a decrease in volume in various areas of both hemispheres (p ≤ 0.047), whereas prolonged sitting at the workplace led to an increase in these areas (p ≤ 0.049).
When segmenting the data by sex, it was found that frequent television viewing increased the volume of hyperintense white matter in both sexes. Among men, a more pronounced decrease in the volume of the cortex and subcortex in areas responsible for emotional processing and cognitive functions was identified.
The researchers believe that separating the contexts of sedentary behavior in this study highlights the complexity of comprehensively assessing the influence of this parameter on the central nervous system. They concluded that active mental activity while sitting at work protects brain structures from damage, whereas passive mental stimulation, such as watching television, has a negative effect on them. The data obtained may serve as a foundation for developing dementia prevention programs for older adults.
