The Meaning of Mental Health – What You Need to Know to Improve Yours
Mental health has often been spoken about in hushed tones or, even worse, not at all. It has been considered a ‘taboo’ subject, where people were afraid to ask questions or didn’t know how to talk about it. This mysteriousness is unfortunate because everyone needs mental health support at some point in their life. The secrecy and stigma around these topics often prevent people from seeking this support.
The good news is that people are discussing mental health more than ever. Today, there is no shame in asking for help or opening up to others if you are struggling with a mental health issue. The other good news is that mental health is a trending topic in entertainment and other high-visibility industries. Several celebrities have come out about their struggles with mental illness, speaking openly about their experiences and encouraging others to do the same. We mustn’t shy away from talking about mental health anymore. The more we talk, the easier it is for people to get help when needed.
So let’s add our voices to the chorus and learn more about mental health, why it’s important, and how to improve yours.
What is mental health?
It may be cliché but let’s start with a definition, as this is important.
The World Health Organisation uses the following description for mental health: “a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.”
As you can see, mental health is about how you feel and your ability to function in the real world and contribute to your wider community. Mental health encompasses our psychological, emotional, and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel, and behave. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is vital to our happiness, wellbeing and success at work, in relationships and in life.
Given that it’s so important, it’s a good thing that mental health can be improved. The critical thing to note here is that it’s not all or nothing; mental health is a sliding scale.
Of course, many serious disorders can occur, which can seriously impact the ability to maintain good mental health. These will be briefly mentioned below, but considering I lack the qualifications, I won’t be diving further into this. If you find yourself with symptoms or a diagnosis of one of these disorders, please follow the advice of your medical professionals.
Mental health and overall health
It’s no secret that our mental health impacts our physical health. Yet, we often don’t talk about mental health the same way we talk about physical health. This needs to change.
The two are very closely linked. Mental health problems can affect physical health and vice versa. For example, someone who is depressed may not take care of their physical health as well as they should. Or someone with an anxiety disorder may have trouble sleeping, which can lead to physical health problems. Conversely, physical health problems can affect our mental health. Someone with diabetes may experience a low mood if they have to take insulin shots every day and follow a strict diet. Similarly, someone taking medications for chronic pain may feel anxious or depressed as a side effect of the medication or from the prolonged pain itself.
It’s important to remember that mental and physical health are both vital aspects of overall health. Taking care of your mental health can help you feel your best and improve your overall health.
Mental health is essential to our overall wellbeing, and it’s time we start treating it as such.
Factors that influence mental health
Following are some of the other factors which can influence mental health. This list is not exhaustive but representative of the factors that can move the needle regarding mental health.
Genetics
Our genetics, or the traits our parents pass down to us, may predispose us to specific mental health conditions. For example, if your parents have had depression, you are also more likely to experience this. This heredity is similar to how physical conditions are passed through families. Also, it is not necessarily a certainty that you will inherit these conditions, but statistically more likely.
Disadvantage and discrimination
Experiencing racism, poverty, or other types of social discrimination or disadvantage can negatively impact mental health and wellbeing. In addition, encountering these things can result in reduced access to healthcare, medication and other health necessities.
Trauma
Experiencing trauma in the form of physical or emotional misconduct or violence can result in post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression or other significant conditions that impact mental health.
Environment
The environmental impact on mental health can include influences from home, the workplace, and local community spaces. Some evidence suggests that living in an area with more greenery and less pollution can help improve mental health. Tidier spaces have been linked to better mental health, whilst clutter and dirty spaces can have the opposite impact.
Self-esteem and self-care
Self-esteem and self-care are two vital concepts when it comes to mental health. Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself and whether or not you think you are worthy of happiness and success. Low self-esteem makes it more likely that you will identify with adverse outcomes in life, which can knock on your mental health. Self-care is looking after yourself and ensuring you care for your physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
Substance use and mental health
Substance use can affect mental health in either direction, depending on the substance. There are drugs used to treat mental health disorders that can be effective when prescribed and administered or monitored by a health professional. Other substances can cause or worsen mental health problems. For example, excessive or frequent use of depressants like alcohol can contribute to or exacerbate negative emotional patterns. Other drugs have been linked to an increased risk of developing paranoia, delusions or psychosis.
Bereavement
Bereavement is a feeling of great sorrow after the death of a loved one. Feeling shock, denial, pain, guilt, and anger is natural during this time. Emotions are likely to feel raw and more challenging to deal with in the aftermath of loss. Grief can be overwhelming, may last for months or even years, and can significantly impact mental health.
Hormones
Hormones significantly impact our mental health, especially during adolescence, pregnancy, hormone therapy, and for those with hormone regulation disorders. Hormone imbalance can cause increased mood swings, anger, anxiety, and depression, among other things. This can make it more difficult to manage emotions, care for physical health and maintain daily function.
Autonomy
Body autonomy is the right to make decisions about one’s own body. This includes decisions about physical appearance, medical care, reproduction, and end-of-life care.
Decision autonomy is the right to make essential decisions without interference from others. This includes choices about work, education, and where to live. Feeling as though you have the right to make decisions about your life can impact your overall mental health.
Warning signs
It’s essential to continually monitor your mental health and identify when it’s time to take action to make improvements. Just like our physical health, there are warning signs that let us know when our mental health is in danger. It is normal to experience fluctuations from time to time, but when these warning signs come frequently or for a prolonged period, then it’s time to consider making a change.
Some warning signs of poor mental health include: feeling excessively sad or anxious, withdrawing from friends and activities, engaging in risky behaviours, having trouble sleeping, experiencing drastic changes in appetite, and feeling hopeless or helpless.
If you notice these warning signs in yourself or someone you know, you must reach out for help. Many resources are available to those struggling with their mental health, including reaching out to friends or family, seeing a medical professional, visiting a local crisis centre or using one of the many call-back services and helplines.
Mental health disorders
Mental health disorders are much more common than most people realise. According to the World Health Organisation, 1 in 8 people live with a mental health disorder.
These include anxiety and depressive disorders, mood disorders, behavioural disorders, eating disorders, dissocial disorders, developmental disorders, and combinations of these.
Mental health disorders can range from mild to severe and can affect anyone. Mental health disorders are often misunderstood, with some people thinking that behaviours associated are “just a phase” or that because you can’t see it, it must not be real. This thinking is incorrect and can be harmful. The truth is that mental health disorders are a serious concern and should be treated accordingly.
There is a stigma surrounding diagnoses of mental health disorders which still has a way to go in being challenged and broken down. With proper diagnosis, treatment and support, most people with mental illness can lead full and productive lives.
How to improve or maintain your mental health
There are many ways to maintain or improve mental health, and these steps are incredibly individual, depending on the person and their specific situation. Some key things to remember are:
Look after your body:
- Get regular exercise
- Eat a healthy diet
- Get enough sleep – see this article on sleep habits if you need to address yours
Look after your mind:
- Practice mindfulness or meditation – try these mindful activities
- Set realistic goals for yourself
- Practice gratitude – here is a quick gratitude meditation script if you want to try something new
Look after your spirit:
- Find time for activities that bring you joy
- Spend time with supportive people
- Participate in activities you are good at
- Build self-esteem through positive self-talk
Taking steps to improve or maintain mental health proactively makes it possible to lead a happier and more fulfilling life.
As you go through ups and downs, no matter the severity, understand that you are not alone in your experience. It is normal and natural to have negative thoughts and feelings, and there is no shame in seeking help when you need it.
Conclusion
When it comes to your mental health, knowledge is power. Learning about mental health, how it works, and what you can do to improve yours can help you live a happier and healthier life.
Mental health is more than just the absence of mental illness. It includes feeling good about yourself, having a sense of purpose, and coping with life’s stresses. Everyone has mental health, just like everyone has physical health. And just like physical health, mental health can be improved through lifestyle choices and, if required, therapy and medication.
If you’re interested in improving your mental health, start by learning more about it. Talk to your doctor or a therapist, read books and articles on the topic, and find a support group or online community. You are not alone.
If this article interests you, try this one next, all about Positive Psychology!
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