We live in a world of unlimited information. Search any topic and Google cranks out thousands of websites, each with their own version of the truth. How do we know what information is true? How do we know what is helpful to our unique life circumstances?
Mental health is a vast, complex topic. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend thousands of hours studying to become an expert on mental health. All you need is a working knowledge of information that helps you improve and maintain your mental wellbeing. This article provides some basic truths of mental health that can help readers to enhance their mental wellbeing.
1. Benefits of Mental Health
Let’s start with the benefits of improved mental health! What do you get if you commit yourself to practicing positive wellness strategies?
- Better control of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
- Healthier relationships and more rewarding social interactions–a sense of belonging!
- A deeper understanding of yourself, including your strengths, values, goals, and capacity for change.
- Finding purpose and meaning in life.
- Experiencing less anxiety/fear, anger, and sadness in exchange for greater satisfaction, peace, and joy.
- Mental wellness impacts EVERY aspect of your life: career, family, community, physical health, spirituality, and so much more!
2. Problems with the Mental Healthcare System
With such obvious benefits, you would think that everyone would want to work on their mental health. Sadly, this is not the case. Even for people with a diagnosed mental health disorder, only HALF receive professional support. Why might this be?
- Some people do not recognize their need for mental health support.
- Some people do not believe they can be helped or that treatment will be effective.
- Some people do not know what help is available or where to find it.
- Some people fear the stigma associated with mental health and don’t want others to find out they are struggling.
- Some people cannot afford the time and money it costs to obtain professional mental health support.
Alternatively, those who do receive professional support often abandon treatment early. Why might this be?
- There are a limited number of mental health providers to choose from, particularly in rural areas.
- The chosen therapist or treatment are not a good match for the client.
- The client’s mental health has declined to such a point that treatment is less effective.
This boils down to two basic problems when it comes to mental health.
- Those who could benefit from help do not seek it.
- Those who seek help do not obtain their desired results.
3. Definition of Mental Health
If you’re still thinking “this isn’t for me,” consider what it means to be mentally healthy–being mentally healthy is not simply the absence of “mental illness.” It’s the ability to successfully function in daily life tasks; this includes the regulation of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It’s possessing the traits and skills needed to effectively cope with stress and trauma. It’s the ability to connect with others and maintain healthy social networks.
4. Spectrum of Mental Wellness
There are dozens of misconceptions about “mental wellness” and “mental illness.” A person with traditional views on mental health will believe that most people are mentally healthy; a small minority are then cast aside as mentally unwell. Holders of this traditional view often categorize themselves as being “mentally well,” therefore they do not require help. As for those labeled as “mentally ill,” they need lots of help (typically in the form of counseling and/or medication). This perspective is too simplistic and narrow.
In reality, mental health is a spectrum that ranges from in crisis to struggling to managing to succeeding to prevailing. From this modern perspective, everyone benefits from working on their mental health.
5. Protective and Risk Factors
Another common misconception is that mental health is fixed–it can’t be changed, healed, or repaired. This is not entirely true! There are many factors that contribute to a person’s overall mental health, including genetic and environmental influences. Though we cannot change our DNA nor erase past experiences/trauma, we can practice ways of managing or overcoming our negative mental health symptoms. Likewise, we can advocate for prevention and early intervention measures to promote mental health awareness and access to mental health resources.
People concede that stress and trauma have a negative influence on mental health. It should be just as obvious that the right stress-relieving, mental wellness practices can have a positive influence.
6. Methods for Intervention
Fortunately, there are a variety of methods to improve mental health. Though counseling and medication are the preferred treatment options for some (particularly when symptoms significantly impact daily life), self-help and education are viable options for individuals across the spectrum. Notably, self-help and education are useful components of prevention and early intervention.
You will never find one treatment or solution that works for everyone. There isn’t a “miracle pill.” There’s no “miracle intervention.” For some, counseling works best. For others, they may need to attend psychoeducational lessons on mindfulness or acceptance. Others might require prescription medication to relieve negative symptoms. Finding the right match (or combination) is a challenging, yet important step for those seeking help.
7. Prevention and Early Intervention
Recovery becomes much harder after reaching a threshold of severity. When a person’s mental health has declined to such an extent, they can experience physical, social, and/or cognitive impairments. For example, they might miss important appointments or take the wrong dosage of medication. Overall, this can limit a person’s ability to recognize their mental health needs and ask for help. How do we avoid this outcome?
By focusing on prevention and advocating for early intervention measures! Prevention, for example, would be providing parents or community members with mental health education. Or, funding organizations that help families to meet their basic needs (food, shelter, clothing, safety, health, love). An example of early intervention would be the integration of mental health concepts into preschool and elementary school curricula. Or perhaps implementing a school-wide assessment to screen for possible mental health disorders. With prevention and early intervention, children and adults can get the help they need sooner.
8. Mental Health x Substance Use Disorders
Alcohol and illicit drugs are often used as short-term solutions to mental health issues–to numb undesirable thoughts and feelings. Having a mental health disorder combined with a substance use disorder is referred to as “co-morbidity.” This combination is notoriously complicated to treat and requires professional intervention (e.g. inpatient treatment facility, transitional housing, specialized addiction/substance use disorder counselor or psychiatrist, medically assisted treatment, and so forth). Co-morbidity highlights the importance of prevention and early intervention when it comes to mental health. Without proper support, co-morbidity can lead to disastrous, long-term consequences.
9. Mental Health Assessment
To gain a better understanding of your overall mental health, assessment is key. Mental health assessment provides clarity and insight into your current mental health concerns and support needs. Assessment results can help you to know where you stand and make informed decisions about your care. Assessment options range from simple self-report questionnaires to comprehensive professional evaluations.
10. Mental Health Providers
Although the mental healthcare system has many competent, dedicated professionals, there is an ongoing shortage of help. This makes it difficult to find the right counselor, psychiatrist, or treatment facility. Please, don’t lose hope! It’s important to keep seeking help and advocating for needs. Likewise, you’ll have a greater chance of success if you can locate a professional who specializes in your unique disorder, population, or whose personality and approach align with your beliefs.
MIND the First Step 