What is Mental Health?

What does mental health mean? Is it merely the absence of mental illness or could it be suggestive of a deeper understanding of ourselves and the environments in which we live?

Today, the concept of wellness is not just the absence of disease and infection but, according to the World Health Organization, is “the presence of physical, mental and social well-being.” If we examine the idea of mental health from this perspective, we, as a community and as a culture, are able to change the focus of mental health from not only the treatment of mental illness, but to the promotion of mental wellness and overall good mental hygiene. So, what does that mean to you and me? I think the collective “we” need to start taking better care of ourselves from head to toe. Mental health is about the whole body — from how we take care of ourselves to how we take care of each other — body, mind and soul.

Mental health is about developing positive, healthy coping skills to manage everyday stress like work issues, child care and relationships, as well as significant events like losing a job or profound illness. Mental health is about working to feel good about yourself and your decision-making abilities and taking time to invest in others, both family and friends. According to a study conducted in 2000 by Myers, Sweeney and Witmer, people with friends and wide social networks are not only happier but also live longer and cope more effectively with illness.

Mental health is about creatively solving problems, meeting personal challenges and being able to experience a broad array of emotions. According to a 2002 study conducted by Chunn, growing evidence shows that a person’s thoughts, moods, emotions and belief systems have an essential and profound impact on their overall mental and physical health. Humor has been shown to be an important factor in positive wellness. It has been found to lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, increase muscle flexion and boost immune function. It is contagious, breaks down barriers, has no known side effects and, best of all, is free.

Mental health is about taking care of your physical self, making sure you’re eating properly and getting exercise. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go out and join a gym and work out several hours a day, but making time to go for a walk with the dog around the block or playing soccer in the backyard with the kids can be just as important to mental well-being as other things that are associated with mental health. Physical exercise is a vital part of wellness, no matter how old you are.

Mental health is about taking care of the whole self and is important for everyone, not just those with mental illness. Take the time to be with those whom you like to be with and maybe try something you’ve never done before, like yoga or meditation. Your mental and physical self will thank you.