MENTAL HEALTH

Mental Health Defined

Mental health, as defined by the Public Health Agency of Canada,[6] is an individual’s capacity to feel, think, and act in ways to achieve a better quality of life while respecting the personal, social, and cultural boundaries.[7] Impairment of any of these is a risk factor for mental disorders,[8] which are components of mental health.[7] Mental disorders are defined as the health conditions that affect and alters cognitive functioning, emotional responses, and behavior associated with distress and/or impaired functioning.[9][10] The ICD-11 is the global standard used to diagnose, treat, research, and report various mental disorders.[11][12] In the United States, the DSM-5 is used as the classification system of mental disorders.[13]

Mental health is associated with a number of lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, stress, drug abuse, social connections and interactions.[13][14] Therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurse practitioners, or family physicians can help manage mental illness with treatments such as therapy, counseling or medication.[15]

Benefits of a Balanced Lifestyle

Good mental health is both a state of mind and a balanced lifestyle. Part of it is developing a rational, positive, and strong mindset.  Having sources of enjoyment and a manageable level of stress facilitates and leads to good mental health.  It’s important to have a lifestyle that helps maintain this state of mind. Exercise, nutrition, sleep, spirituality, and in some cases being able to talk to a professional that understands your experiences can be the key to a healthy, and good life. It is so important to be able to reach for help when some experiences or thoughts get in your way. A different perspective can help you put certain things in their rightful place. A healthy mind will put you on the path to a healthy body or the other way around.