As many continue to reel from the shocking news of former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst’s death, believed to be by suicide, the importance of mental health and mental wellbeing is once again front and centre.

The term ‘mental health’ speaks to our emotional, social and psychological wellbeing and affects the way we think, feel and act.

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 264 million people worldwide suffer from mental health illnesses and, most commonly, depression.

Mental health problems may be derived from a host of factors including biological factors (such as genes or brain chemistry), life experiences (such as trauma or abuse) and a family history of mental health problems.

A lesson to be learned from the news of 30-year-old Kryst’s passing is that issues surrounding one’s mental health do not discriminate and anyone can face difficulties with their mental wellbeing.

In the past year alone, a number of celebrity personalities including Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka and American gymnast Simone Biles have made public their own struggles with mental health.

That said, if you or someone you know is suffering from mental health issues or even suicidal thoughts, psychiatrist Dr Neeraj Gandotra wants you to know two things: first, you’re not alone; and second, there are things you can do to feel better.

As it relates to suicidal thoughts, Gandotra noted: “The first step is to recognise you are having these thoughts and try not to ignore them or push them away as that will just cause them to fester.”

The second step, as stated by psychiatrist Ashley Boynton, is to reach out to a mental health professional.

Boynton relayed that, though it can be daunting to seek professional help, “it is an important step as suicidal thoughts are treatable through therapy and mental health medication”.