1. Mental health isn’t just about those who are mentally ill. Everyone has a mental state, and everyone needs to take care of it if they want to be at their best. It’s not something you can dismiss, even if it’s not as visible as physical health.
2. How can you look after your emotional and social wellbeing? It’s a difficult question because many different things can impact your mental health. You need to be aware of your own biology, as well as your environment and life experiences. Nature and nurture both have a role to play.
3. There are some basic steps you can take that will make it less likely your mental health will deteriorate. Conversely, when these things start slipping, it can be an early warning sign for potentially bigger problems. This could include eating properly, drinking enough water and getting enough sleep.
4. Of course, all the best behavior in the world won’t fix you if you’ve got a serious mental health problem. If there’s something wrong with the chemicals in your brain, you may need chemical intervention from medication. If your thought patterns are unhealthy, you might need a trained therapist to teach you better coping strategies.
5. Seeing a therapist doesn’t have to be the last-ditch approach of the seriously mentally ill. A lot of people can benefit from taking a deeper look at their thoughts and feelings to figure out where they are at the moment and where they want to be in the future. It might be worth a try.
6. Staying connected is important even if you don’t see a professional. Isolation can exacerbate mental health issues. People who are mentally ill often withdraw from their friends and family. Trying to create and maintain a community means you always have at least some support.
7. Talking to family is important for another reason. Many mental illnesses have a genetic component. Knowing what your parents and grandparents have been through may warn you what to look out for.
8. Everyone needs to be aware of mental health, including children, adolescents, adults, and old people. Everyone can struggle, regardless of race or gender, although the struggles may vary.
9. What mental health looks like to you may vary depending on things like culture.
10. Prevention is sometimes possible, and so is treatment. Good mental health is also possible!
