Created back in late 2020, the ‘This is so depressing I went and ate a whole block of cheese in protest’ Facebook group has amassed 360k followers. The group is dedicated to posting relatable memes about mental health and “also cheese.”

It’s centered around humor; however, the issues that the memes touch upon are essential to talk about. Mental health is no laughing matter (even if some of the memes are relatably hilarious).

More people struggle with mental health than you might assume. While more people feel comfortable enough speaking about these issues, others still see it as a taboo topic.

The Anxiety & Depression Association of America reports that anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States. They affect 40 million American adults or over 19% of the population.

These disorders can develop due to a mix of factors, from genetics and brain chemistry to personality and life events.

The good news? These anxiety disorders are highly treatable.

The bad news? Very few people get the treatment they need. The ADAA notes that barely 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment. 

Depression is a very common mental disorder. According to the World Health Organization, around 5% of adults on planet Earth suffer from depression. That’s 1 in 20 grownups. It’s something that can happen to anyone.

However, folks who have been through severe stress, lived through abuse, or suffered severe losses are more likely to develop depression. 

There are effective treatments for depression, whether it’s mild or severe. However, far from everyone has access to mental health professionals or the financial means to get the help they need.

Poor mental health care and social stigma also play a part in this. The WHO warns that over 75% of people living in low and middle-income countries receive no treatment for mental disorders. 

If you are feeling chronically anxious or depressed, it is vital that you reach out for help. You can see your doctor and talk to them about what’s happening. Ask if they can do any tests to determine what you’re dealing with or if they can refer you to a trustworthy mental health specialist. Going to therapy or taking medication are two things that might help.

Another approach is overhauling your lifestyle for the sake of health. However, everyone’s case is unique, and there are no one-size-fits-all answers. One approach may work best for you while someone else may need a mixed strategy to get better.

Aside from going to therapy and possibly taking the medication you need, you should strive to modify your day-to-day life so that you’re living healthier. This means quitting drinking alcohol and smoking. It also means reducing how much caffeine you consume and limiting how much junk food and processed products you eat. 

Some other major changes include redefining your relationship with exercise and rest. To put it bluntly, if you spend all day indoors, with barely any human contact, your face plastered to your phone or computer, only ever eating junk food, then you’re not going to be in a good headspace. You also need to make sure that you’re staying social. Your positive connections help you bounce back from the stress you face in life.

The rule of thumb is that a little bit of something (whether that’s exercise, healthy eating, or rest) is better than nothing.

The CDC urges adults to aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical exercise each week. They also recommend an additional 2 days of muscle-strengthening activity.

To put it bluntly, if you spend all day indoors, with barely any human contact, your face plastered to your phone or computer, only ever eating junk food, then you’re not in a good headspace. Your physical and mental health is suffering. Even something as simple as going for a short walk can help reduce your stress levels and get you into a different mindset. But beyond that, you need to make some fundamental changes to your daily activities.

Which of these memes resonated the most deeply with you, dear Pandas? Were there any that hit a tad too close to home? What do you do to take care of your mental health when things get stressful in your life? If you have a spare moment, we’d like to hear from you. You can share your thoughts in the comment section, at the bottom of this post.