May is Mental Health Awareness Mo.
May is Mental Health Awareness month.
So, what is mental health? Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, spiritual, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. And it helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
Positive mental health allows people to:
Realize their full potential
Cope with the stresses of life
Make meaningful contributions to their communities
Adapt to changing circumstances
Work productively
Some of the ways we maintain positive mental health include:
Staying connected to others
Staying connected to your culture
Keeping a positive attitude (not a refusal to acknowledge the negative)
Getting physically active and healthy
Helping others
Getting enough sleep, enough to eat
Keeping a balance of rest and activity
Learning and using coping skills
Developing meaning and purpose
Getting professional help if you need it (therapy and/or medications)
The last couple of years have brought challenges to many of us, especially those who were already at risk. It is important to remember that it is not weak to admit that you need help or that you are struggling. That too is a sign of positive mental health.
In future posts I will talk more about mental health challenges and specific diagnoses.