What is mental health?
Many people, when they hear the term mental health,
think of mental illnesses. But mental health is far more than the abscence
of a mental illness; mental health is something all of us want for ourselves.
Mental health is determined by:
- how you feel about yourself
- How you feel about others
- how you meet the demands of everyday life
One way of describing mental health is to describe characteristics
of a mentally healthy person. There are many different degrees of mental
health and no one characteristic is indicative of good mental health; nor
can the lack of any one characteristic signify a mental illness. In fact,
nobody has all the traits of good mental health all the time.
- Do you feel good about yourself?
- I take pleasure in everyday things
- I feel able to deal with most situations and am not overwhelmed
by emotions.
- I can take life's disappointments in stride.
- I have a tolerant attitude towards myself as well as
others.
- I am realistic about others.
- I can accept my own shortcomings and laugh at myself.
- Do you feel comfortable with other people?
- I am able to love and consider the interest of others.
- I have personal relationships that are satisfying and
lasting
- I can trust others and feel that they can trust me.
- I do not take advantage of others nor do I let others
take advantage of me.
- I feel a sense of responsibility to others.
- Are you able to meet life's demands?
- I do something about problems as they arrise.
- I accept responsibilities.
- I shape my environment when possible and adjust to life's
changes.
- I plan ahead and do not fear the future.
- I welcome new experiences and set realistic goals for
myself.
©1998. Produced by the National Mental Health Association.
Brought to you here by the Mental Health Association in Alaska, a local
affiliate of the National Mental Health Association.