UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE

SOCIAL AND BEHAVIOURAL

SCIENCES
SDLS LECTURE NOTES
9 February 2023

SITHOLE DM
MENTAL HEALTH
Mental Health Defined
• Mental health is defined by how individuals think and feel. about
themselves and their life, and that it affects how an individual copes
and manages in times of adversity. Mental health is seen as affecting
one's abilities to function
• Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-
being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how
we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.
• It is a state of well being in which the individual realizes his or her own
potential to cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively
and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to her or his community
Mental Health
Causes of Mental Health
There are many reasons why people suffer from mental health. Some of
the reasons include the following:
• Genetics. Sometimes mental illness runs in the family
• childhood abuse, sexual assault, traumatic experiences
• social isolation
• experiencing discrimination and stigma
• social disadvantage, poverty or debt
• Bereavement in the family
Causes of Mental Health
• Unemployment
• Having a long term physical condition
• Domestic violence/ family conflicts or family disorganization
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Physical causes such as head injuries or a neurological condition such
as epilepsy
• Ailment such as cancer or diabetic conditions
• Stressful life events
Mental Health

Signs and symptoms of mental Health

Signs and symptoms of mental health can vary, depending on the disorder,
circumstances and other factors. The following are common symptoms of
mental illness
• Feeling sad or down
• A cloud of confusion or reduced ability to concentrate
• Excessive fear or worries or extreme feelings of guilt
• Extreme mood changes of high and lows ( bipolar)
• Withdrawal from friends
Mental Health
Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health
• Hallucinations
• Excessive anger, hostility or violence
• Suicidal thinking
• Major changes in eating habits
• Inability to cope with stress or problem
• Suffering from insomnia
• Inability to perform usual daily functions and responsibilities
Mental Health
Copying with Mental Health
The following can be used to help cope up with mental health
• Eat health foods and always stay hydrated
• Always have enough time to sleep
• Practice gratitude
• Always focus on positivity
• Stay connected to friends
• Have enough time to relax
Mental Health at Workplace
Mental Health at workplace refers to:
• Employees’ wellness in all aspects of life – psychological, emotional
and social, within a shared work environment
• It is the positive mental state an employee experiences in their day-
to-day work life
• Since employees spend most of their day at the workplace, it is
extremely important to have sound mental health so that they can
have respect for themselves and others, build positive relationships
with co-workers, and cope with the daily challenges and
responsibilities involved in their
Importance of Mental Health at Workplace
A sound company policy on mental health issues for its employees pays off
the following dividends
• Reduced absenteeism from work by employees resulting in high
productivity
• Health workforce helps the company to achieve its goals
• A health workforce reduces medical expenditures on sick employees
• A health workforce reduces staff turnover
• Staff motivation increases in the company
• Reduces presenteeism ( act of being present but severely depressed
without production)
Group Presentations
1. Discuss with clear examples the assumption that the state of the
economy may contribute to mental health issues in people?
2. As part of management at your organization, discuss with clear
examples your company policy on mental health issues?
3. Discuss with clear examples the extent to which social problems
may trigger mental health problems in people?
4. Discuss the contributions of Covid-19 pandemic to mental health
problems in this country?