The celebration of “Mental Health Month” in October is over, but according to NNC Calabarzon, there is a need to continuously raise mental awareness on the increased impact of the pandemic and the resulting world crisis.
Sadly, the pandemic has taken its toll on people’s mental health -- and the most vulnerable are the children, young people and those with pre-existing mental health conditions. Profoundly affected, too, are those who have lost their loved ones due to the virus, those who have lost their income due to the lockdowns and the economic crisis, and those who work in isolation facilities and health workers.
People with poor mental health greatly experience behavioral and emotional problems due to low serotonin levels in their body. Serotonin is a hormone of the brain which regulates mood and the level of happiness and anxiety.
Many studies have also shown that having decreased levels of serotonin hormones lead to stress, depression, unexplained irritability, anxiety, panic attacks, suicidal behavior, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. These can also increase the risk of chronic diseases.
The good message, however, is that, there are foods that can help promote mental health and boost our moods. According to the Accredited Naturopathic Medical Schools (AANMC), foods rich in antioxidants such as strawberries, blueberries, spinach, avocado, carrots, tea, yogurt and dark chocolate helps in protecting the cells in our brain from damages caused by stress.
Antioxidants can also improve brain function, serve as protection for our skin for sun damage and reduce heart disease risks. Other foods that help boost serotonin include salmon, whole grains, nuts, seeds, poultry, eggs, tofu, soy, milk, cheese, and pineapples.
In addition to brain foods, exercise is another mood booster. In 2006, Dr. Otto and colleagues in their article “Exercise for Mood and Anxiety Disorders” published in the Primary Care Companion Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, reviewed 11 studies investigating the effects of exercise on mental health. They determined that exercise could be a powerful intervention for clinical depression.
The objective of the “World’s Mental Health Month,” is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in its promotion. For more information, read the different infographics on raising mental health awareness as well as the benefits of participating in different webinars by the Department of Health.
You may also visit this link: https://tinyurl.com/DOHMentalHealthMonth: Together, let us claim “Mental health care for all: Let’s make it a Reality.”
SOURCES:
- Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (2020). Brain Food: The Naturopathic Kitchen. Retrieved from https://aanmc.org/featured-articles/brain-food-101/
- Bruce, D. (2020). Exercise and Depression. WebMD. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/exercise-depression
- Endocine Society - Hormone Health Network (n.d). What is Serotonin?. Retrieved from https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/glands-and-hormones-a-to-z/hormones/serotonin
- Richter, A. (2020). 7 Foods That Could Boost Your Serotonin: The Serotonin Diet. HealthLine. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sleep/foods-that-could-boost-your-serotonin
- Global school-based student survey: Philippines 2015 fact sheet. World Health Organization. 2015. Available from: https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/PIH2015_ fact_sheet.pdf. Accessed Jan 9, 2021
- Otto, Michael and team, Exercise for Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Primary Care Companion, Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2007, 9 (4), 287-294
By: Janna Alexia Necio
