Summary
October 10th is World Mental Health Day, designed to draw public attention to the importance of mental health. This need is also emphasized by deteriorating statistics: in just five years, the assessment of Lithuanian residents' own mental health has worsened, the change has reached as much as 44 percent.
Changes in mental health statistics in Lithuania are both worrying and encouraging
A survey of Lithuanian residents' self-reported health reveals significant changes in mental health. For example, comparing the prevalence of depression in 2014 and 2019, the proportion of people experiencing mild, moderate or severe symptoms of depression increased from 12,4 percent to 17,9 percent. A particularly pronounced change is observed in the 15–34 age group, where the proportion of people experiencing symptoms increased from 10 to 31 percent. It is important to keep in mind that although more recent data has not yet been published, the pandemic and quarantine have had a significant impact on the emotional health situation since 2019.
On the one hand, such a rapid change in just five years may raise concerns about a significant deterioration in the mental health of the population. But on the other hand, it may also signal a happy change that people are gradually getting rid of the stigmas that haunt mental health, are starting to talk more freely about their emotional health, and are more courageous in seeking help. This is confirmed by the results of the 2022 study "Stigmatizing Attitudes of Lithuanian Residents in the Field of Mental Health", which revealed that as many as 3 out of 4 respondents positively evaluate seeking help when faced with mental health difficulties.
Mental health in the world is a universal human right
In a global context, the mental health figures are also telling. According to the latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO), about 280 million people worldwide suffer from depression. It is important to remember that mental health is reflected not only in the statistics of depression, but also in the statistics of insomnia, anxiety and mental illness.
Given the wide range of mental health challenges and topics, WHO dedicates a different theme to World Mental Health Day every year. For example, 2012 was dedicated to depression, 2017 to mental health at work, and this year’s main message is “Mental health is a universal human right.” It is an encouragement to courageously seek solutions when faced with emotional difficulties, and thus defend your right to good mental health.
Threatening statistics drive innovation
The alarmingly changing statistics are becoming a significant impetus for the search for innovative solutions. Mobile apps that help practice mindfulness are becoming more popular, companies are hiring specialists who care about the emotional health of employees, and new devices are emerging to improve mental health.
One of the recent innovations in improving mental health is cranial electrostimulation, during which a special device transmits a unique microcurrent into the human brain through electrodes attached to the ears. This stimulates and modulates certain groups of nerve cells in the brain and helps overcome insomnia, anxiety, and depression.
Emotional storms and brain waves
Although cranial electrical stimulation may sound unexpected and complicated, the therapy itself is quite simple, natural, non-invasive, and suitable for practically anyone experiencing the above symptoms. The word "cranial" (derived from the Greek kranion - skull) means that the therapy affects the brain, and electrostimulation says that it is stimulated with an electric current.
It is believed that the human brain contains 15-33 billion neurons that communicate with each other using electrical signals. Electrical signals emanating from the brain are measured in frequencies and are called brain waves. The frequencies of the waves say a lot about the state of the brain at a certain moment. During deep sleep, delta waves (0-4 Hz) predominate in the brain, during light sleep – theta waves (4-8 Hz), in a state of calm and relaxation, alpha waves (8-14 Hz) dominate, when concentration and focus are needed, the brain works in beta wave mode (14-30 Hz), and when feeling fear, anxiety, stress, gamma waves (35-130 Hz) take over.
Cranial electrical stimulation – a new and effective treatment method
Although cranial electrical stimulation is still a relatively new type of therapy in Lithuania, it has been actively used in the world, especially in the United States, for several decades. Over 150 scientific studies have been conducted in various countries, which prove the effectiveness of the therapy in treating insomnia, anxiety and depression. A big advantage is that cranial electrical stimulation is painless, does not cause addiction, has no side effects, and due to its convenience and simplicity, it can be used both in a medical institution and at home.
The mission of cranial electrostimulation is to influence and balance the waves so that a person gets rid of anxiety, fears, stress, relaxes, feels good and positive. The procedure is performed using the “Alpha-Stim” device, which transmits a unique current that affects the brain and stimulates alpha waves of 8-12 Hz frequency, which are associated with calming, relaxation and well-being. During research, it was found that after the procedure, gamma waves are suppressed in the brain and alpha waves prevail. By repeating the procedures for several weeks, the effects accumulate and even such complex problems as insomnia, anxiety or depression are gradually overcome.
Although the procedure is natural, painless and has practically no side effects, it should be noted that it is not suitable for pregnant women and people with implanted pacemakers or defibrillators. If a patient cannot be treated with cranial electrostimulation, all is not lost. An interesting fact is that the frequency of brain waves can be learned to change independently, through meditation. Japanese neurophysiologist Tomio Hirai conducted a study with Zen masters and students. The results revealed that the students' brains generated alpha waves with a frequency of 10 -12 Hz during meditation, while the masters' brains generated a current with a frequency of 7-8 Hz, which is attributed to the theta wave level, which is associated with light sleep.
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