The terms ‘mental health’ and ‘mental wellbeing’ are important concepts that can be difficult to define. Mental wellbeing and Mental illness – are not dependent on each other. This means that people can have a mental illness and also have high levels of good mental wellbeing. Good mental wellbeing doesn't mean you're always happy or unaffected by life experiences. But poor mental wellbeing can make it more difficult to cope with daily life.
Mental health; together with physiological health, is considered to be part of the broader concept of health. This is framed as part of a larger set of behaviors that result in a healthy, happy, and meaningful existence.
Good Mental Health can be defined in the following way:
Being in a state of wellbeing,
When a person realises their abilities,
Can cope with the normal stresses of life,
Can work productively and fruitfully,
And can contribute to their community.
Mental Well Being is often referred to as subjective wellbeing. Subjective wellbeing is defined as our perception and evaluation of our life.
Mental Well being can be described in the following way;
Pleasure and happiness. In the context of mental wellbeing, it means feeling happy about one’s life and enjoying experiences that cause happiness.
Living a meaningful life and striving to reach one’s full potential.
Believing that your life has meaning
Continued self-development and growth
Good-quality social connections
Believing that you can overcome hurdles
Having a positive self-concept
Having a sense of purpose
The effects of our mental health are experienced in every aspect of our lives. Our moods, physical health, and social connections help us cope better with life's adversities and unexpected hurdles. Together, they contribute to our sense of wellbeing and our mental health.
By taking a proactive stance on improving, maintaining, and nurturing our mental health, we can ensure that we live healthy, productive, and meaningful lives. For tips on how to look after our mental health and wellbeing, please read our previous post called Mental Health Awareness Week.