What is Mental Health?

Mental Health and Well-being
Mental health is related to emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It requires effective functioning in daily activities such as:
Feeling productive at work or school
Interest in taking care of others
Having healthy relationships
Ability to adapt to change
Dealing with adversity
Our mental health affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make decisions.
Conditions that affect mental health
On the other hand, mental illnesses are conditions that affect a person’s behavior, emotions, or thinking capacity.
Mental conditions are associated with negative stress (distress) and problems in social, occupational, or family functioning. Some conditions are considered temporary, while others are chronic and long-lasting.
Factors of Mental Health and Well-being
Mental and physical health are equally important when considering overall health. Depression, for example, increases the risk of physical conditions such as heart attacks, and heart conditions, among others. Consequently, the presence of chronic conditions could increase the risk of a mental condition.
An individual’s mental health can change over time, depending on factors such as coping ability, working long hours, financial problems, and caregiving, among other overwhelming situations.
Mental health conditions are very common. The following are discussed as risk factors contributing to mental conditions:
Early traumatic experiences in life (child abuse, sexual abuse, witnessing violence)
Chronic medical conditions (cancer or diabetes)
Biological factors such as genes
Chemical imbalances in the brain
Use of alcohol or drugs
Feelings of loneliness or isolation
What to do to maintain mental health
Incorporating self-care is crucial to maintaining our mental health. Part of the strategies we can use are meditation, massages, relaxation, and exercise.
It is important to be alert to emotional and bodily reactions. Sometimes, a “strange» behavior or reaction, or negative symptoms (crying easily, inability to sleep, frequent waking up) serve as our alert.
In the face of one of these signals, it is necessary to seek help from a mental health professional to reduce symptoms and start the appropriate treatment for well-being.

References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Learn about Mental Health. Retirado el 27 de enero de 2020: https://www.cdc.gov/mentalheath.learn.index.htm.
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-mental-illness.