Everyone has mental health and therefore it can affect us all. Is good mental health important for everyone? Young old, any walk of life and background, It doesn’t matter what your race is, your gender, sexual orientation or country of origin, every single person has mental health and is affected by it.
What is Mental Health?
We all have physical health and are aware that we need to look after our bodies, whether it’s eating well, exercising, hydrating or illness. Understanding your mental health can be done in the same way, but instead of your body, think about how you feel and your emotions, your thoughts and how they in turn lead you to act.
Common Mental Health Conditions
The National Health Service has lots of information about the vast amount of conditions that come under the umbrella of mental health. There are some that are more common than others, which you may or may not have heard of.
Here are a few of the common ones:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Phobias
- Stress
- PTSD (Pot Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- Claustrophobia
What Can Affect Your Mental Health
Your mental health fluctuates all the time, sometimes week to week, day to day or even hour to hour. At times you could just be having ‘one of those days”, we all have them, where you just feel lack lustre, grumpy or a little sad.
In truth absolutely anything can affect your mental health, for the better or worse. Just as a compliment from a friend can make you smile, giving you a boost, a less than thoughtful conversation can have a negative affect on how you are feeling.
The beautiful weather can fill you with wonder and the urge to get out and live life to the full, some days. On others the heat, humidity and throngs of people might make you wish you’d stayed indoors, leaving you feeling less than wonderful.
How does Mental Health Effect You?
As outlined above positive interactions, life experiences and general living can fill your mind with joy, excitement and positivity, to name but a few responses. Feeling like this will make your whole outlook more positive, you might enjoy the people and the world a little more, feel empowered to take on new challenges, have the motivation and inspiration to experience new and existing things.
Negative interactions and events might affect you in a vastly different way and the effects can last for extended periods of time if care is not taken to deal with the impact. They can leave you with low moods or mood swings, irritability, low self confidence, low self worth, low self esteem, lack of motivation and interest, to name just a few. It can also to lead to much more serious concerns such as self-harm, physical health problems and suicidal ideation.
Can You Improve Mental Health?
The more aware you are of your mental health the easier it will be to deal with those fluctuations and impacts that can cause your mindset to change.
It is completely possible to improve your mental health, even when you are suffering from a condition that is not caused by external forces, such as trauma or grief.
The first step is recognising that something is not quite right. It is hard to admit when we aren’t feeling wonderful mentally as there is such a stigma still surrounding mental health.
Talking is a great way to boost your metal health and begin a journey of recovery and healing. You can talk to anyone a family member, trusted friend, teacher (if you are a young person) or colleague. If you feel this doesn’t help or you are unable to reach out, then take a look at our Therapy & Where to Find it section for a few organisations that you can contact. Many services can be used over the phone, internet or face to face.
Your GP is also a fantastic option, they invariably have a good grasp of mental health problems and will either be able to offer advice and options, or refer you to the right service for you.
IF YOU FEEL YOU ARE IN CRISIS AND NEED HELP NOW, PLEASE PICK UP YOUR PHONE AND CALL FOR HELP!
- CALL 111- if you are in crisis and need to get an emergency GP appointment, to speak to someone for urgent advice or be connect to the mental health crisis team.
- CALL 999 – if you feel you can not keep yourself or others safe. Don’t wait.
There is no shame in having mental health difficulties or in asking for help, for you or a loved one.
Self-Help
This can be anything from referring yourself for counselling, to finding out about mindfulness, finding coping mechanisms, using activities, learning self-care and much more.
We have a number of articles published and in the works surrounding self-help, tips, ideas and activities. Please free to have a look through The Wonderment and see if anything pops out. There are a few of our favourites below –
Our Simple Tips To Rediscover The Wonder In Life
How To Get a Positive, Happy Boost Today.
Take Part in the Doodle A Day Challenge and Lose Yourself in Art
The Ways Music Can Make You Feel Better
Reasons Why Fidgets Can Make Children Feel Better
Mental Health Services
There is a wealth of information out there when it comes to finding the right service for you. Speak to your GP or local community centre to find services and organisations in your area.
The internet can be a valuable tool for finding services too, particularly charities, helplines and counsellors.
We have a list in our Therapy section of places to seek help, this is in no way exhaustive and will be added to periodically.
If there is anything you would like us to cover any particular topics, or research a certain area where positive mental health is concerned, please let us know either in the comments below, using our How to Contact Us page or on through our Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
