Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.
It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape our world.
Mental health is a basic human right. And it is crucial to personal, community, and socioeconomic development.
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How is Mental Health Different from Mental Disorders?
Mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders. It exists on a complex continuum, experienced differently from one person to the next, with varying degrees of difficulty and distress and potentially very different social and clinical outcomes.
Mental health conditions include mental disorders and psycho-social disabilities as well as other mental states associated with significant distress, impairment in functioning, or risk of self-harm.
People with mental health conditions are more likely to experience lower levels of mental well-being, but this is not always or necessarily the case.
How Does Mental Health Affect Our Emotions and Hormones?
Health is a vital part of each individual. Health depends upon mental well-being. Human beings’ emotions are interconnected with so many factors in their life. Mental health acts as a charging equipment for day-to-day life.
Peace of mind is connected with so many factors in life. How do we experience peace and happiness?
Sometimes, what others do or say can affect our emotions. Why do we let this happen?
A negative comment from others or vice versa can sometimes determine our place in the Mood meter. Is it in either the red or yellow and blue zone?
Stress, anger, self-pity, grief, worry, restlessness, helplessness all these negative emotions produce stress hormones in your body.
They reduce happy hormones like Dopamine, Oxytocin, and serotonin production. Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers.
They coordinate different functions of your body by carrying messages through your blood to your organs, skin, muscles, and other tissues.
How Can We Improve Our Mental Health?
Continuous sorrowful and helpless conditions in life can affect the thought process. Learned helplessness can trap the person in dark rooms of life.
They can’t experience any reality and beauty of life. They may easily resort to suicidal thinking and ideation.
So whenever facing problems in life, we should try to share our emotions with a trusted person.
Through this process of ventilation, they can attain peace of mind. We should deliberately try to nurture positive virtues in our life.
Anger, anxiety, depression, mania, and relationship issues are highly prevalent.
Some myths and misconceptions exist in our society on mental health. Mental illnesses are treatable by counseling, Psychotherapy, and medicines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I maintain mental health?
To maintain mental health, you can try these habits: get enough sleep, cut back on social media, connect with friends, exercise, eat well, let go of things you can’t control, rest and get some sun. If you need more support, talk to a professional.
What are the signs of mental health issues?
Some signs of mental health issues are: feeling anxious, depressed, guilty, or worthless; having mood swings, emotional outbursts, or sleep problems; withdrawing from social activities; having confused thinking or trouble concentrating; and using substances to cope. If you notice these signs, seek professional help.
What are the types of mental illness?
There are many types of mental illness, such as anxiety disorders (fear and worry), mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorder), psychotic disorders (hallucinations and delusions), eating disorders (anorexia and bulimia), impulse control and addiction disorders (gambling and substance abuse), and personality disorders (rigid and extreme traits).