What Is Mental Health?
Many people think about mental ‘illness’ rather than mental ‘health’ and sometimes get confused between a ‘mental illness’ and a ‘learning disability’. Our ‘mental health’ is our ‘state of mind’ and most of us will experience different levels of mental health throughout our lives. One in four of us will suffer from a recognised mental health problem at some stage in our lives.
OK. So what is mental health?
“Mental health involves skills such as the ability to manage change, to recognise, acknowledge and communicate thoughts and feelings, both positive and negative. (HEA 1997)”
“Mental health is about balance but also encompasses abilities at the extreme e.g. the ability to be happy and sad, hopeful and despairing. (HEA 1997)”
“Mental health involves the skills to make and maintain relationships to cope with stress and/or to modify environments or relationships that cause stress. (HEA 1997)”
“Mental Health is the emotional and spiritual resilience that enables us to enjoy life and survive pain, disappointment and sadness. It is a positive sense of well-being and an underlying belief in our own and other’s self worth. (HEA 1997)”
So Who’s Got Mental Health?
Everyone – we all have mental health just like we have physical health.
And there are things we can do to look after our mental health to help us along life’s bumpy road!
We help young people age 6-19 in Somerset to get their views heard on issues affecting their emotional or mental wellbeing. Our service is free, independent and confidential.