A new age disease; a medical challenge for new generations - Liliana Mora

In recent decades, women have stepped up in the decision-making within organizations, they have developed in science and technology, but also, have sought to transcend through comprehensive, ethical, social, and family development. For some women, this has been due to their level of resilience, mental flexibility, continuous education, and, in the best cases, through the support and encouragement of their family, but for others, success has meant a series of sacrifices, including their mental health.

Personally, I have been looking for a way to communicate an issue that should be part of the agendas of Senior Management; success should not only be measured by the achievement of result and personal balance, but the success of an organization should also be measured by the physical and mental health of its employees.

Research from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) shows that mental illness is common and affects tens of millions of people every year; estimates suggest that only half of individuals with mental illness receive treatment.1

Any Mental Illness (AMI) is defined as some type of mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder. The impact can range from no impairment at all to mild, moderate, and even severe impairment.

The latest study reported by the NIH in 2019 estimates that 51.5 million adults aged 18 years and older have some type of AMI-type illness, representing 20.6% of all adults in the USA.

Source: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness

AMI prevalence is higher in women (24.5%) than in men (16.3%); from young adults from 18 to 25 years old, AMI prevalence is higher (29.4%) compared to adults of 26 - 49 years old (25.0%); adults with two or more non-Hispanic ethnic groups 31.7% and for the Hispanic community, it represents 18%.

Serious Mental Illness (SMI) is defined as a mental and behavioral disorder resulting in a severe functional impairment that significantly interferes or limits one or more important activities of an individual's life.

Source: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness

Once again, this condition affects significantly more women (6.5%) than men (3.9%) from 18 - 25 years old (8.6%), with two or more non-Hispanic ethnic groups (9.3%) and 4.9% in the Hispanic community.

These data reveal an upward trend over the last decade in the USA, but what about the Latin American region?

Mental, neurological, and psychoactive substances use disorders represent a major cause of morbidity, disability, injury, premature death, and increase the risk of other conditions and health problems. The 12-month prevalence of these disorders –as a whole– varies between 18.7% and 24.2%; anxiety disorders, between 9.3% and 16.1%; affective disorders, between 7.0% and 8.7%; and disorders due to psychoactive substance use, between 3.6% and 5.3%. Although mental illness is recognized as an essential component of general health, data from the region reveal deep gaps in treatment among people with mental disorders, reaching up to 73.5% in adults with severe or moderate disorders, and 82.2% in children and adolescents, according to data from the Pan American Health Organization.2

Dementia is a growing concern in Latin America and the Caribbean, which the highest rates in the world and a 12-month prevalence of 8.5% in people from 60 years and older.3

Source: Pan American Health Organization. Demencia: una prioridad de salud pública. Washington, D.C.: OPS; 2013.

Suicide is a potential major consequence of mental disorders, with a mortality rate of 7.3 per 100,000 in the Americas. More than 90% of people who commit suicide present a diagnosable chronic mental disorder, such as depression, as well as substance use disorders. There is a clear disparity between genders in terms of suicide attempts, with women being more likely to attempt suicide while men consummate it at a higher rate.

LET’S TALK ABOUT ANXIETY

The wide range of anxiety disorders differs according to the reasons or situations that induce them; however, sufferers share characteristics of excessive anxiety and related behavioral disturbances. Anxiety disorders can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, schoolwork, and interpersonal relationships.

Mental health is an increased business issue because it is also an increasing social problem. World Health Organization statistics suggest that one in 4 people worldwide suffer from mental health problems that require medical intervention, therefore, organizations are beginning to realize that this significant minority includes many of their own employees, who had been promoted or appointed Senior positions.

Millennials experience higher levels of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts than other generations. British investigators published a report in the Journal Psychological Bulletin suggesting that this generation (from 18 to 35 years old) holds high levels of perfectionism and that these high expectations may be to blame. Dr. Wendy Brown, (Political Theory, UC Berkeley), names the phenomenon Anxiety for Human Capital Value, where Millennials, who are now parents, are highly immersed and anxious about how to develop skills in their children from conception to be brought to a higher level of competence than themselves or their environment.

We live in a hypercompetitive order where competition is not only about reaching a position or winning a project but where competition never ends. Finally, let us keep in mind that depression, anxiety, and stress are commonly represented as Creativity Killers.4

As a patient, I can share with you that this is a disease that can be easily treated but always with the guidance of a mental health professional. However, lack of timely care could lead to a complex condition, impacting the individual's quality of life and environment.

This analysis has been written with the sole purpose of disseminating an issue that concerns us as professionals and society, to raise awareness, to make mental health be part of our medical check-up, and to remind you that prevention can save a life.

I will conclude this note with a quote from Kaitlin Chan, a Hong Kong independent comic book artist: “I want people to see my work and feel it’s OK to not be that good (at something).”

Sources:

1.National Institute of Mental Health. Mental Health Information, Statistics Mental Illness 2.Organización Panamericana de la Salud. Salud Mental en la Región de las Américas, 2017. 3.Organización Panamericana de la Salud. Demencia: una prioridad de salud pública. Washington, D.C.: OPS; 2013. 4.The Economist Successful Innovation: How to Encourage and Shape Profitable Ideas.

Liliana Mora

is the CEO of Síoltalife and a pharmaceutical chemist with more than fifteen years’ experience as a business developer in the life sciences market. Passionate about continuing education, she has created forums for bringing together international talent, know-how, and experience. She currently lives in Belgium, where she remains up-to-date with to the innovation and technology hubs in her sector.