Mental health is an integral part of a happy life. This concept is very broad and combines different aspects. How to understand that the state of mental health is out of balance and it’s time to see a psychotherapist – we tell you more. Does marijuana affect sex and does mental health depend on our good and bad habits?
What is mental health?
Mental health is a state of happiness and well-being in which a person realizes his creative abilities, can withstand life stresses, work productively and contribute to public life.
This means that mental health combines a healthy mind and psyche with a social component. It is important for the realization of desires, goals, physical well-being. On the other hand, the mental health of each individual is important to society as a whole.
Mental health depends on many factors: social, environmental, and even economic.
Mentally healthy person:
- can distinguish their emotions, manage them, and function harmoniously;
- able to communicate and build relationships with others;
- develops and learns;
- positively evaluates, accepts, and loves;
- makes its own firm decisions;
- normally adapts to new living conditions;
- can solve problems.
The ability to enjoy life is a key feature of a mentally healthy person.
Mental disorders are a problem and even a threat because today about 14% of all known diseases are related to mental problems. Many people do not acknowledge their difficulties or do not have access to proper treatment.
There are over 200 classified types of mental illness. The most common of these are anxiety and behavioral disorders, a hyperactive disorder with attention deficit, eating disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse.
What mental health depends on and how to maintain it
Mental health can be impaired by:
- genetic factors;
- narcotic substances;
- hormonal imbalance;
- individual human characteristics (eg, predisposition to depression and pessimism);
- rapid social and political change (particularly as a result of hostilities);
- social discrimination against the background of various factors: sexual orientation, race, HIV-positive status, etc .;
- sexual violence;
- psychological pressure;
- stress and working conditions.
Mental health largely depends on the atmosphere in the family, children’s experience, social environment. A favorable growth environment is especially important for children and adolescents who are just developing their psyche.
What is important for maintaining good mental health?
Here are some examples:
development of emotional intelligence in children: perception and understanding of their emotions will help them in adulthood to better manage their condition;
organization of a healthy atmosphere in the family, establishing a daily routine for young children;
social support for vulnerable groups (eg single mothers, women victims of violence, people with disabilities);
local mental health programs – in schools, universities, businesses.
You can maintain your own mental health on your own.
This requires:
- take care of sleep;
- avoid stressful situations and learn to respond adequately to them;
- balance your diet and add physical activity – sometimes it is enough to activate the body and adjust the hormonal background to correct the situation.
Who should take care of your mental health
A person’s mental well-being does not always depend on him. There are genetic and congenital features of development that affect the nervous system, and acquired mental disorders are not always diagnosed in time. When should you see a psychotherapist? How to recognize the first signs of mental health problems?
We advise you to visit a specialist if you observe sleep and eating disorders, experience prolonged apathy and lack of energy.
A psychotherapist is also not the only one who should take care of mental health.
This task applies to many:
Parents. From an early age, you should create a healthy and friendly atmosphere for the child in the family circle. After all, the psyche is formed in the family and what is laid down in early childhood, remains for life: self-esteem, the ability to communicate and understand yourself and others.
Teachers. Parents may not always notice changes in their child’s behavior in time. This is especially true for teenagers – they are more closed, and spend most of their time at school and with friends. Therefore, teachers should pay attention to the behavior of their students, build trusting relationships with them, help resolve conflicts.
Employers. Working capacity is one of the first to suffer from mental disorders. At the same time, a favorable atmosphere in the workplace strengthens the team and is a prevention of mental disorders.
How do you know if you have a mental health problem?
It is difficult to recognize a mental disorder at the initial stage. Mild forms of depression or sleep disorders are not always taken seriously. Mental disorders limit a person’s ability to work, serve their own needs, build relationships – thus complicating their lives in society.
The boundaries between mental well-being and illness are blurred. There are many states “on the verge”. Their manifestations are varied and not always suspicious.
It should be noted that there is a strong connection between the psyche and all body systems, so somatic diseases can occur before a mental disorder is diagnosed.
