Finding the Me in Mental Health
Mental health has been on my mind a lot lately, which is a sure sign I need to write about it. You could say I was am finding the ME in mental health. Being a mom, I am seeing mental health in a new light and am beginning to see how significantly it impacts our quality of life. Having an understanding of the tools necessary to deal with your own emotions can be like a metaphorical handle for you to hold onto when feel the wave coming on. Maybe that is where the term ‘get a grip’ came from.
My own journey with mental health started very early in life. I didn’t know it at the time, but accompanying my mom to therapy and coloring quietly during her sessions was my first exposure. What followed was many different opportunities to see positive and unhealthy focus on mental health, both in myself and those around me. Increasing understanding of and focus on mental health issues will be a cornerstone of the things I share here on the internet. I want to build a community where we can all learn, grow and support each other.
This is just the beginning of a much larger conversation for us, but I wanted to share some facts and resources with you about Mental Health to get us started.
- The World Health Organization makes note that Mental Health “not just the absence of of mental disorder”, but “…a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”
- 1 in 5 Americans experiences mental health problems each year(nami.org)
- Anyone has the potential to develop mental health problems at any time in their life
- Contributing factors can be biological(genes, physical illness, injury, brain chemistry), life experiences(traumatic or abusive) or from family history of mental health problems
What can you do?
Get informed.
Spread awareness.
Encourage prevention.
Value treatment
You can read more about Stress here.
