We often talk about mental health in the context of disorders. These are the thoughts and behaviors that show that you’re mentally ill. We don’t spend half as much time on mental wellness. Mental health isn’t just about when things go wrong; it’s about your overall mental state, good or bad.
The World Health Organization has its own definition of health: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” And mental health is “a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” (https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response)
This means that a comprehensive approach to mental health involves considering all the biological and social factors that can impact it. These include your genes and brain chemistry for the first and things like family, socioeconomic background and other outside stressors for the second. Protecting your mental health means trying to moderate these.
Taking care of mental health begins in early childhood. A child who has all their needs, both physical and emotional, met is much more likely to grow up into a happy and mentally well-adjusted adult. This means providing safety and security, with adequate nutrition, a good education and plenty of opportunities for social interaction and play.
Programs to improve mental health can be targeted at specific groups, including school children. Some may be gender-specific, acknowledging the different ways in which men, women and non-binary people may experience mental health problems. Many employers have realized the benefits of having some kind of mental health service in the workplace.
Measures that may be taken to try to protect mental health include everything from mindfulness sessions to anti-discrimination training and wider programs to tackle the causes of poverty and violence. These things may reduce the need for more direct mental health interventions, such as medication, although in some cases, those may still be necessary.
Proper provision for mental health reduces stress and its side effects, such as poor sleep or excessive drinking. It allows people to be calmer and more focused, with improved self-esteem. In team settings such as the workplace, it may allow better communication and productivity. It can lead to improved outcomes in everything from physical fitness to financial security, making the benefits wide-ranging and easy to observe.
Not everyone who is experiencing poor mental health can be clinically diagnosed with a specifically defined mental illness. That does not mean they are not struggling. Everyone can benefit from just taking some time to look after their own wellbeing, from making sure you get enough rest to asking for help when needed. For teachers and employers, this also means getting the best out of your students or workers.
There’s no one in the world who feels completely satisfied with their life all of the time. The challenge of maintaining good mental health is a constant one, and shouldn’t be delayed or dismissed. You’d be surprised by how much your life improves if you just take a little extra care.
