The term “mental health” has become increasingly common in recent years.

So what exactly is mental health?

And what misconceptions about mental health should you be aware of?

 

What is mental health?

 

Mental means relating to the mind, of course.

But saying that mental health is limited to your thoughts alone misses the point.

Mental health includes your thoughts, as well as your emotions, behavior, and ways of relating to others.

 

Elements of good mental health 

The World Health Organization defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes their own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to their community.”

To explain the concept further, when we are mentally healthy, we can:

Cope with daily life

Be resilient when facing challenges and difficulties

Take positive action

Feel good about ourselves

Work toward our potential

And maintain successful relationships

 

What, then, is mental illness? 

Mental illness is the opposite of mental health. In light of what was mentioned above, it becomes easier to understand what mental illness is.

Mental illness means that we cannot cope with daily life. Our thoughts and moods cause us distress, we make poor decisions, do not feel good about ourselves, damage our relationships, and are unable to work.

Again, our mental health includes behavior.

So if you are unsure whether your mental health is good, look at your behavior. Things such as addiction, self-harm, and failing to care for yourself can all mean that you have mental health problems and need help.

 

Myths about mental health 

There are many myths about mental health. Here are some of them.

 

1. There is an exact formula for good mental health. 

Not at all. What inspires you to care for yourself, feel good, and fulfill your potential may be completely different from what works for someone else. Some people find mental well-being through exercise, while others find it through spirituality, for example.

Find what works for you personally, regardless of what others may think.

 

2. It is obvious when someone has poor mental health. They are crazy. 

First, calling someone crazy is never helpful. It creates stigma around something we all experience. You, too, will struggle to cope with life's challenges at some point.

Second, mental health problems may be far from obvious. Sometimes the people who seem happiest are struggling the most, while someone who talks constantly about their problems may nevertheless be stable.

So do not assume you know the state of someone's mental health. And do not think that simply because a person appears well, they do not need you to ask how they are. Ask anyway, and then listen carefully.

 

3. Positive thinking is the most important thing. 

Conscious negative thoughts can indeed lead to negative moods and actions—this idea lies at the heart of cognitive behavioral therapy. Learning more balanced ways of thinking may help.

But if we had a difficult upbringing or experienced childhood trauma, trying to change things through positive thinking alone will have very little effect.

In fact, trying to put a positive gloss on deep inner pain may worsen our mental health rather than improve it. Suppressed emotions and memories may cause depression, dissociation, and anxiety.

Mental health is therefore much more than positive thinking. To achieve good mental health, we may need, for example, to allow ourselves to cry and think about all the negative things we had been denying.

 

4. If you are diagnosed with a personality disorder, you can never have good mental health. 

A personality disorder means that you see yourself, the world, and other people differently from most people. This may cause internal conflict, which may leave you depressed and lonely.

But this does not mean that you cannot have good mental health. If you learn to understand how you differ from others and how you can interact with people in more helpful ways, you can feel better about yourself and life.

Remember, mental health is about coping and fulfilling your potential, not being like everyone else.

 

5. Mental health has nothing to do with physical health. 

For a long time, the idea that mental and physical health were connected seemed unconventional.

But research has now shown that the two are interconnected. Exercise makes us feel better, while mental illness may make us more susceptible to colds and flu or to more serious illnesses.

In its mental health fact sheet, the World Health Organization says that “mental disorders increase the risk of other illnesses, such as HIV, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, and vice versa.”

 

What can you do if your mental health is not good? 

The most important thing you can do is not judge yourself. It is not a competition. The more we look down on ourselves because of our psychological struggles, the worse we feel. Remind yourself that everyone experiences mental health problems at some point in life.

We live in a time when information is more widely available than ever. Self-help is a good place to start. There are helpful books, articles, and forums you can access.

But do not make the mistake of thinking that self-help content is the same as receiving support. The truth is that when we experience mental health problems, it becomes difficult to see the forest for the trees. We lose perspective on what we need or how to make sound decisions. Our friends and family, who want the best for us, may be too involved to tell us what we need to hear.

A counselor or psychotherapist is trained to help you move forward and create a space in which you can do so.

 

Source: Harley Therapy

https://www.harleytherapy.co.uk/counselling/what-is-mental-health.htm

Image:vecteezy