We all have mental health, it is just as important as physical health.
It is not only about mental illness or mental disorders. This is just one part of a bigger picture.
It's best to think about mental health as being on a continuum, rather than people being either mentally ill or mentally well.
We are all on the continuum. And we move up and down according to factors, such as our genetic makeup and upbringing, our life circumstances and the stressors we are under.
At one end of the continuum, we have mental disorders, like depression or anxiety. And at the other end, we have states of positive mental health when we're thriving, content and fulfilled
the aim of mental health interventions is to move people up the continuum so that they're able to reach their full potential and live satisfying lives.
The World Health Organization describes mental health as a state of well being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life. It can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. being mentally healthy means being resilient and able to cope with difficult times. Feeling in control, being confident, feeling good about yourself,
managing and expressing your emotions, building and maintaining good relationships.
We all experience periods when we feel stressed, worried, anxious, sad, afraid or angry. These are all normal emotions. However, when these emotions become severe enough that it interferes with the person's ability to function daily, and these feelings become persistent over time, then it can develop into a mental health problem. There are many different types of mental disorders.
When left untreated, mental disorders can be chronic and long lasting and are associated with increased disability. They significantly have an impact on daily functioning, or frequently interfere with family, social and work responsibilities.
Fortunately, there are effective treatments and evidence based interventions available that aim to help individuals understand and cope with symptoms of mental illness. However, very few people with mental disorders access existing treatment services. This may be due to barriers such as the stigma attached to seeking help, the lack of understanding of mental health problems, uncertainty of how to get help, or the fear of disclosing mental health problems.
Research shows that stigma remains one of the biggest factors preventing people from seeking help early for their mental health problems and getting the appropriate support they need. It is important to acknowledge that we all have mental health and have a personal responsibility to learn how we can improve and maintain our well being in order to live meaningful and satisfying lives.
