Mental Health

men·tal health
/ˌmentl ˈhelθ/
noun
1. A person's condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being.

What is Mental Health?

Mental health is often overlooked and viewed as a separate component from health. However, there is very little to distinguish between mental health and physical health; there is just health. All of the components of our health are important pillars for a healthy lifestyle, that are interconnected and dependent on one another. Processes that affect the mind also affect the body, and processes that affect the body also affect the mind. Our mental health affects how we think, feel, and behave, which influences how we interact and respond to the outside world. Having poor mental health can result in the increased prevalence and intensity of mental health issues that negatively affect our overall health. Having strong mental health however, is not about the absence of mental health issues, but rather the presence of positive characteristics to manage mental health issues. These positive characteristics allows us to efficiently manage the challenges of life and engage in prosocial behaviors, that benefit the health and well-being of ourselves and others. That is why it is important to understand how mental health works and how it can be strengthened to optimize our health.

Many individuals with poor mental health experience an increased prevalence and intensity of mental health issues that project a variety of symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that about 50% of Americans have been diagnosed with a mental illness and/or mental disorder at some point in their lifetime. Adults living with serious mental illnesses and/or mental disorders experience death 25 years earlier on average compared to others (CDC, 2018). These findings suggests that mental health issues are prevalent in our society and can negatively impact our health if not addressed properly. Examples of common mental health conditions include:

Anxiety Disorders- Consists of feelings of worry, panic, and fear that can lead to constant restlessness, making it hard to breathe, sleep, and concentrate.
Bipolar Affective Disorder- Defined by episodes and major mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs.
Depression- A mood disorder with feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interests, which is commonly associated with thoughts of suicide.
Dissociative Disorders- Involves experiencing a disconnection and a lack of continuity between thoughts, memories, surroundings, actions, and identity.
Eating Disorders- The preoccupation with food and caloric intake, exercise and caloric expenditure, and body weight and shape.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder- Characterized by a cycle of unwanted intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions), that the individual uncontrollably feels they need to repeat.
Paranoia- The excessive suspicion and mistrust of others and events without reasonable evidence.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder- Severe psychological shock after experiencing or witnessing a distressing event, resulting in uncontrollable vivid recall of the experience.
Psychosis- The impairment of thoughts and emotions which leads to a lack of touch with reality, that is often full of hallucinations and delusions.
Schizophrenia- Involves the abnormal interpretation of thoughts, feelings, and behavior, creating a reality that is often inconsistent and conflicting.

The increased prevalence and intensity of mental health issues that result from poor mental health can affect the body in a variety of ways. Many of them modulate chemical processes in the body which in turn cause abnormalities that harm our health. While a chemical imbalance in the brain can lead to depression, depression can cause chronic fatigue through a physiological response in the body. It has also been found to be associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. Schizophrenia is associated with double the risk of death from heart disease and three times the risk of death from respiratory disease. In addition, eating disorders can lead to excessive weight gain or excessive weight loss, resulting in significant changes in energy. Post-traumatic stress disorder can lead to intense physiological responses similar to the ones experienced during the event.

Strong mental health is not about the absence of mental health issues, but rather the presence of positive characteristics to manage mental health issues. Strong mental health allows us to cope with the challenges of life, be self-aware of our strengths and weaknesses, realize our full potential, and be a role model for others. Positive mental health characteristics include:

A strong support network with friends, family, and others in the community.
Getting professional help.
Engaging in better habits like eating healthy food, exercising consistently, and getting good quality sleep.
Reducing/eliminating poor habits like drugs, bad relationships, and toxic media consumption.
A diverse mental toolkit to manage and cope with challenges, change, and uncertainty.
The ability to learn from the past to build a better self.
Able to express and manage both positive and negative emotions without either becoming overwhelming and harmful.
The willingness to help others.
A sense of meaning and purpose in life that can promote self-confidence, self-esteem, and contentment.
A healthy balance between work, life, and rest that is contextual to ourselves and how we feel comfortable operating.

Even in today's fast-changing modern world, it can be difficult to talk about mental health. Many individuals spend countless hours looking for ways to improve only the physical components of our health, without fully grasping the significance that the mental aspects have on our overall health. It is important that we address mental health as an important pillar of health that can be optimized to improve our overall health and lifestyle.

"At the root of this dilemma is the way we view mental health in this country. Whether an illness affects your heart, your leg, or your brain, it is still an illness, and there should be no distinction."