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Mental health and maintaining it

What is mental ill health, and how can we maintain good mental health? 

As human beings, we all experience certain level of psychological distress, we can learn and grow through our experiences. At times it can motivate us, like useful stress can help us focus and get things done. It is normal for our mood to drop or rise depending on our circumstances and environment. 

Mental illness is a catch all term that refers to various psychiatric disorders. Just like physical illnesses, it can vary significantly in its symptoms and severity. Psychological distress becomes a mental illness when it impacts upon the way a person thinks, behaves and interacts with other people in society. 

Many people suffering from mental distress may not look as though they are ill, while others may appear to be confused, agitated, or withdrawn. 

Anyone can have times when they experience mental distress – in fact, it is thought that one in four of the general population will have a mental health problem at some point in their life (Mind, 2004). 
This doesn’t always mean something severe like schizophrenia; it can mean something relatively mild like an adjustment reaction or generalised anxiety. 

Mental illnesses are real illnesses - as real as heart disease and cancer. Like other long-term conditions they need and respond well to treatment. Some illnesses take a chronic course and service users need to maintain contact with services over the long term. However, most people who suffer from a mental illness (including those that can be extremely debilitating such as Schizophrenia) can be treated effectively and lead full lives. Our understanding of mental health is likely to be influenced by a number of factors; for example, this may vary from country to country and culture to culture. 

So what is good mental health:

WHEN OUR MENTAL HEALTH IS GOOD WE EXPERIENCE: 
Feeling in control

Being able to make rational decisions

Being in touch with our feelings

Being able to form positive relationships

Feeling good about ourselves
Knowing how to look after ourselves 

SOME FACTORS WHICH HELP US MAINTAIN GOOD MENTAL HEALTH
:
  • Talk about their feelings 
  • Write them down 
  • Keep active 
  • Eat well 
  • Sleep well 
  • Keep in touch with friends and loved ones 
  • Gain knowledge and the feeling of achievement
  • Set realistic goals 
  • Keep an eye on personal stress 
  • Find a hobby or volunteer 
  • Asking for help if you need - its ok to not be ok!

4 February 2025
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