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Good Mental Health

What is Good Mental Health?

In general, people with good mental health:

  • Have a positive outlook on life and their future.
  • Feel good about themselves and others.
  • Feel able to deal with the problems and conflicts that are a normal part of everyday life.
  • Act responsibly in their work and relationships.

What are the best ways to maintain good mental health?

  • Build self-esteem: recognize good qualities and value them.
  • Take care of health and well being.
  • Not abuse alcohol or use other drugs.
  • Not smoke.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Eat a well balanced diet and get enough rest.
  • Control weight.
  • Learn to cope with stress.
  • Balance activities in daily life by setting time aside for both work and play.
  • Build a support system around you and your family: become involved in a club, volunteer group, etc.

What is Mental Illness?

It is not a sign of weakness or laziness and is not much different from other illnesses. People suffering from mental illness in most cases do not have control over how they feel, think, or the way they behave. Mental illness can cause a person to have serious problems at work, in school or in the family. Daily life for those who live or work with a mentally ill person can be very difficult. In some cases, untreated mental illness can be even life threatening, and in most cases, mentally ill persons will not get better unless they receive treatment.

Some of the warning signs of mental illness include:

  • Changes in daily routine (change in appetite, sleep, physical problems that cannot be explained).
  • Confused thinking and speech.
  • Abuse of alcohol or use of drugs.
  • Feeling depressed, extremely sad, irritable or angry most of the time.
  • Having excessive fears.
  • Having thoughts or threatening suicide.
  • Not wanting to be involved with family, work, school, friends or being unable to feel and act as one used to.

Factors that can contribute to mental illness:

  • Physical problems, such as a chemical imbalance of the brain, infections, including mother's infection during pregnancy, head injuries, especially during childhood.
  • Heredity. Some illnesses seem to run in families, such as depression, substance and alcohol abuse, suicide and schizophrenia.
  • Excessive stress, such as family or financial problems, adjusting to new new culture.
  • Traumatic experiences, such as wars, natural disasters, loss of a loved one, torture, rape, child abuse, spouse abuse, being forced to flee from one's homeland.

Some common mental illnesses:

  • Depression
  • Drug and Alcohol Abuse
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Psychotic Disorders
  • Mental Retardation and Learning Disorders
  • Dementia
  • Eating and Sleeping Disorders
  • Adjustment Disorders

Treatment

Mental illness can be treated successfully. Some types of treatment commonly used are:

  • Counseling - therapy can be done just with an individual, with the whole family, or in small groups, depending on each particular case. Mental health professionals can help sort out what is really happening, understand where the worries are coming from, and teach better ways to deal with those issues.
  • Medication - there are very effective medications that help restore the chemical imbalance of the brain. Some examples of these medications include antidepressants, antipsychotic, and drugs that help decrease craving for alcohol.
  • Hospitalization - most people with mental illness are treated outside a hospital, but sometimes hospitalization is necessary.

Who can help?

Mental Health Counselors, Psychologists, Clinical Social Workers and Psychiatrists. Most communities have resources available and in many cases at reduced or even free of charge for persons that do not have health insurance. Some places to contact include:

  • Community mental health centers
  • Crisis hotlines
  • Psychiatric departments at universities and colleges
  • Psychiatric hospitals and clinics
  • Private practitioners

Who to Contact