We live in a world that is in constant change of environment, from pandemics to war, it's in perpetual change. Mental health is the state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with stress, environmental change and contribute to their community, which is why it is crucial for survival.

Most of us felt bewildered at some point, mental health enables us to realize our abilities, learn and work well. It underpins our individual and collective competency to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It is a basic human right. And it is important to personal, community, and socio-economic development.

Mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders. It exists on a complex continuum that can be experienced differently from one individual to another, with varying degrees of difficulty and distress. In 2019 an estimated study showed that one in eight people was living with a mental disorder globally. In 2020, the number of people living with anxiety and depressive disorders rose significantly because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Initial estimates show a 26% and 28% increase respectively for anxiety and major depressive disorders in just one year.

Prevention interventions work by identifying the individual, social and structural determinants of mental health and intervening to reduce risks, build resilience and establish supportive environments for mental health. Interventions can be designed for individuals, specific groups, or whole populations.

Promoting child and adolescent mental health is crucial because a mentally healthy child is a mentally healthy adult and it affects most of their life. It can be achieved by policies and laws that promote and protect mental health, supporting caregivers to provide nurturing care. School-based social and emotional learning programs are among the most effective promotion strategies for countries at all income levels. In the end, if you ever feel any mental health difficulties never hesitate to seek help whether it's from professional care or someone close to you, remember it happens to everyone and you are not alone.