Healthy Active Living June 2014 | Page 6

MEntal health And Mental Issues

What is mental health?

Mental health is all about how we think, feel and behave. Mental health can also mean they don't have a mental disorder. Approximately 25% of people in the UK have a mental health problem during their lives. The USA is said to have the highest incidence of people diagnosed with mental health problems in the developed world. Your mental health can affect your daily life, relationships and even your physical health. Mental health also includes a person's ability to enjoy life.

What contributes to positive mental health?

-sleeping well

-eating well

-surrounding yourself with positive supporting people

What are the characteristics of positively mentally healthy people?

-happy

-positive attitude

physically healthy

-feel better about yourself

What is resilience?

-the biggest difference between the mentally healthy and those who are not mentally healthy is their resilence

-ability to recapture their sense of emotional wellness within a reasonable time

-use a variety of coping strategies

7 Characteristics of Positively Mentally Healthy People:

1. Hopefullness about opportunities and life's challenges.

2. Persistent in achieving one's goals.

3. Practical / Realistic about own goals.

4. Aware / Realistic about own goals and weakness.

5. Responsible for behaviour.

6. Respect own needs and needs of others.

7. Self confident and positive self esteem.