October 10 is World Mental Health Day.

World Mental Health Day was established in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health and is celebrated annually on October 10 to raise awareness about mental health problems and how strengthening, as well as prevention and treatment of mental disorders.

The world is currently experiencing the unprecedented impact of the current global health emergency caused by COVID-19, which has also affected the mental health of millions of people. The levels of anxiety, fear, isolation, social distancing and limitations, insecurity and emotional distress experienced around the world have become widespread as the world struggles to take control of the virus and find solutions.

Fear is a normal reaction in situations that involve feelings of insecurity and insecurity. But sometimes fear is expressed in forms that can hurt or harm others.

In crisis and difficult life situations, citizens can contact the emergency psychological help "Helpline".

Residents of the Minsk region in crisis and difficult life situations can contact the emergency psychological help "Helpline", which operates on the basis of the health care institution "Minsk Regional Clinical Center" Psychiatry-Narcology ". The presented service of emergency psychological assistance "Helpline" 8-017-202-04-01 (city), 8-029-899-04-01 (MTS) is regional. Help is provided free of charge, anonymously, around the clock, seven days a week. You can also contact the emergency psychological assistance service "Helpline" of the Minsk region through the instant messengers Telegram, Viber, WhatsApp (+375 29 899-04-01).

It is important that in the current global health emergency, no one is denied mental health care. Mental health is a human right and should be available to everyone.

Mental health is a state of complete spiritual well-being of a person, characterized by his ability to adequately understand the surrounding reality, his mental state and behavior, and not just the absence of mental disorders (diseases).

Be mindful of your mental health. Remember that each of us has the opportunity to take a range of actions that will help us preserve our mental health and help loved ones who need additional care and support.

Listen to the advice of healthcare professionals.

Here are some tips you might find useful.

Try to stick to your daily routine as much as possible or start a new one.

• Get up and go to bed at the same time every day.
• Maintain personal hygiene.
• Eat a healthy and healthy diet.
• Maintain regular physical activity.
• Set aside time for work and time for rest.
• Make time for your favorite activities.

Spend less time reading the news. Try to reduce the amount of time you spend watching, reading or listening to the news that causes you stress or upset.

It is important to maintain social contacts. Maintain regular contact with loved ones, if necessary by phone and online.

Drinking alcohol. Limit or completely eliminate alcohol consumption. Do not start drinking alcoholic beverages if you have never done so before. Avoid drinking alcohol to combat fear, anxiety, boredom, and social isolation. Drinking alcoholic beverages does not protect against viral or other infections. Quite the opposite, alcohol abuse is associated with an increased risk of infectious diseases and a poor prognosis for treatment. It is also important to know that drinking alcohol
can prevent a person from taking the necessary precautions
and prevention to protect against infection.

Time in front of the screen. Pay attention to how much time you spend in front of the screen each day. Make sure to take regular breaks.

If necessary, seek psychiatric, psychological help. Psychiatric care - specialized medical care, including psychotherapeutic, neuropsychiatric, drug addiction, including medical prevention, diagnosis, treatment of mental disorders (diseases) and medical rehabilitation of patients.

Psychological assistance is a set of measures aimed at helping citizens to prevent,resolving psychological problems, overcoming the consequences of crisis situations, including by enhancing citizens' own capabilities for self-prevention, resolving emerging psychological problems, overcoming the consequences of crisis situations and creating the necessary conditions for this, to inform citizens about the causes of psychological problems and ways, means of preventing them and permission, for the development of personality, its self-improvement and self-realization.

Psychiatric and psychological assistance is available in all districts of the Minsk region.