The Importance of Mental Health

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing.

An important part of our lives and overall health and wellbeing, mental health impacts how we think, feel, and act as well as how we make decisions and deal with stress.

Some examples of mental health conditions are depression, anxiety, eating disorders/body dysmorphia, bipolar disorder, (PTSD) post-traumatic stress disorder (a result of single, repeated, or extreme exposure to trauma), and (C-PTSD) complex post-traumatic stress disorder (a result of prolonged exposure to relational trauma).

When we experience mental health issues, our thoughts, moods, and behaviors can all be affected. So can other areas of our lives, such as our relationships, careers, finances, and physical health. Research shows that mental illness can even contribute to stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

It’s important to know that mental health problems are common, and there is help available. In fact, many people struggling with these issues are able to recover or learn to fully manage their symptoms.

How to Know if You’re Experiencing Mental Health Problems

The list below identifies some of the feelings and behaviors you may have with a mental health condition. But be aware that you may not have all of the symptoms here and may also experience some behaviors and moods not listed.

• physical symptoms, unexplained pains
• changes in eating and sleeping (eating too much or too little, sleeping too much or unable to sleep enough)
• feeling more overwhelmed than usual
• an intense physical or emotional reaction to a “normal, everyday” situation
• isolating, withdrawing from the people or responsibilities in your life
• no longer finding interest in things you once enjoyed
• feeling confused, forgetful, angry, upset, or on edge more than usual
• feeling anxious, worried, or scared more than usual
• thoughts of harming yourself or others, thoughts of not wanting to live anymore

If you or someone you know is having any of the thoughts or emotions above, immediately reach out to a qualified professional, appropriate local authorities, or a hotline (like SAMHSA’s national hotline 1-800-662-4357).

An evaluation by a qualified mental health professional is important as many different conditions can display similar signs or symptoms. It’s also important to receive a full medical evaluation by a health care provider to ensure that the symptoms are not related to a medical condition.

If the symptoms are not related to a medical condition, there are resources available to help you. Working with a licensed professional, such as a medical doctor, counselor, therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist, to create a plan can help you lead a self-directed life that feels meaningful and fulfilling. Often recovery will include counseling/therapy, group sessions, medication, or a combination of these.

Achieve and Maintain Mental Health Wellness

Here are several things you can do to achieve and maintain mental health wellness:

• Physical Wellness. Work with a medical professional to develop a plan for your physical health. This may include medications, diet, exercise, and nutrition planning.
• Connect with Others. Connecting with others can create a support network for long-term wellness.
• Coping Skills. By understanding what triggers your stress, anxiety, or sadness and developing skills to cope with daily stressors, you can maintain mental wellness despite life’s ups and downs.

Mental health is an important contributor to your overall wellness, physical health, relationships, and career. Achieving and maintaining positive mental health helps us reach our potential in our personal and professional lives, cope with the stresses of life, build lasting relationships, and contribute to the overall wellness of our communities.

Sources:

Mentalhealth.gov. What Is Mental Health? Accessed January 27, 2023. https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health Opens in a new window

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Mental Health. Accessed January 27, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm Opens in a new window

Medline Plus. Mental Health. Accessed January 27, 2023. https://medlineplus.gov/mentalhealth.html Opens in a new window

© Amplified Life Network 2023

Last updated: January 16, 2024

By: © PAS Wellbeing Media, LLC. All rights reserved.