Stable mental health is considered to be one of the most important factors in a person’s life today for various reasons. For the World Health Organization it is a social aspect that for various reasons has been relegated and undervalued. It is stated that at least more than half of the world’s population has difficulties in achieving healthy and continuous mental stability.

According to this institution, it is a welfare state in which there is awareness of one’s own abilities . This means that each person understands to what extent they will be able to face difficult situations in their daily lives. Likewise, there is awareness of the capacities to be able to be productive and to be able to contribute in their family and community.

It is common for people to face serious difficulties in achieving this state of well-being. Sigmund Freud himself considered that it is associated with the ability to work, love and even play . It is a capacity that develops continuously at each stage of life, intervenes in different aspects of personal life, achieving good performance in the future that depends on what has been learned.

What is mental health?

Mental health is defined as the inclusion of all the elements that are attributed to emotional, psychological and also social well-being . That is, it is about all those aspects that influence and exert important changes in relation to how we feel, think and act at different times in our lives.

It can also be understood as a mental state, which depending on its stability will allow us to face stressful situations, make decisions and even interact with other people. Generally, the term or concept of mental health can be used in any of these areas described above, but the most important thing to highlight is its association with the psychological state.

When a mental illness is mentioned, we are talking about illnesses that harm mental health. They affect in such a way that drastic changes in the behavior, cognition and behavior of the affected patient can be observed . Some of these problems are more common than others, mental illnesses can appear at any stage of life and therefore there are multiple treatments available.

What are their characteristics? 

Different perspectives analyze this same topic in different ways, but mainly it is understood that it is a state and a capacity that encompasses multiple elements . That is, self-esteem, autonomy, resilience, integrated identity, introspection, tolerance, values, mentalization, defense and reflection must be taken into account. These are just a few examples of the positive skills that go into maintaining good mental health.

Another fundamental characteristic is how positive thoughts are generated , the same ones that regulate thought and behavior . When a person is in good mental health, they usually experience mental changes that guarantee less disturbance and better functioning. On the other hand, when there is a mental disorder, these patterns are negatively affected, causing distress and alteration in abilities and functioning.

The following are the most common indicators of good mental health. They are as follows:

  • The patient has the ability to establish stable personal and family relationships.
  • It is able to function in any social environment, it can communicate effectively and create affective relationships,
  • Performance in work and academic activities is positive.
  • They are individuals who maintain a level of learning and intelligence that is commensurate with their age. There are no cognitive or behavioral deficiencies.
  • Interest and ability to participate in any proposed activity is expressed.
  • Any cultural norm or social expectation is carried out without difficulty. There is understanding in its importance and in its implementation in their personal lives.

What are their cares? 

People with good mental health become individuals who are capable of dealing with any type of stressful situation in their lives. It also has an impact on physical health, which is considerably better because it will create a stable mental state. For this reason, it is common for these individuals to be able to interact with other people in a healthy way and to contribute significantly to their community.

On the other hand, they become people who can work productively reaching their full potential. However, for this to be possible, hereditary biological factors must be taken into account through genes and also through brain chemistry. Family history associated with some type of mental health problem can also affect the health of new generations of the family.

Some external factors associated with abuse and trauma can also impair mental health. Individuals who lead an unhealthy lifestyle that uses substances such as alcohol and drugs see their mental and physical health deteriorate. The lack of physical activity and the consumption of harmful foods in a poorly nutritious diet are other aspects to consider as well.

In these cases, it is important to take measures that help improve all these elements previously mentioned. For some people it is very useful to start practicing meditation and relaxation techniques for example, some others will find a more feasible solution in the practice of individual or team sports. In any of these cases, the important thing is that they combine both mental and physical practices or techniques.

It is important to know that mental health can change and improve by implementing measures that are tailored to the needs of the patient. In these cases, the intervention of specialized personnel in psychological health and receiving therapy is usually recommended . This is especially helpful for people who feel exhausted and overwhelmed by constant stress.

Attention should be paid to the signs that indicate when there is a mental health problem. The most common warning signs are described below 

  • Changes in sleeping and eating habits.
  • Self-isolation from family and social life. The patient may stop enjoying or experiencing the same satisfaction that he previously felt for certain activities of interest.
  • Lack of physical energy and little motivation.
  • A feeling of emptiness or even a feeling that nothing matters.
  • You begin to experience physical aches and pains that cannot be explained logically.
  • Starting to use drugs, smoking or drinking when it was not a habit before.
  • Feeling of confusion, worry, fear, annoyance or even trouble remembering important situations or information.
  • Drastic changes in mood that affect your personal relationships.
  • Invasive thoughts or even specific memories of negative situations begin to be experienced.
  • Inability to perform daily tasks that were previously very common such as reading, walking or going to work.

Talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy is usually applied In the most serious cases, it could be combined with the implementation of a plan based on medication, which must be done under strict medical supervision. When there is a mental disorder derived from this problem, you should speak with a trained health professional to select the best alternative.

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Alexa Clark specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She has experience in listening and welcoming in Individual Therapy and Couples Therapy. It meets demands such as generalized anxiety, professional, love and family conflicts, stress, depression, sexual dysfunction, grief, and adolescents from 15 years of age. Over the years, She felt the need to conduct the psychotherapy sessions with subtlety since She understands that the psychologist acts as a facilitator of self-understanding and self-acceptance, valuing each person's respect, uniqueness, and acceptance.

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