Motivation Nation

𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 (𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟭)

It’s the start of a brand-new day and the end of another week. This week’s post's is inspired by an unexpected encounter with a childhood friend, earlier this week, who’s currently experiencing a mental health issue. So, this bright Friday, morning, I’m kick starting a 2-part series titled: “𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵.”

Over the years, as an advocate in the mental health space as well as a mental health survivor, I have learnt that:

☐ Mental Health concerns everyone.
☐ Anyone can experience mental health problems.
☐ Individuals, organizations and communities can take positive steps to promote mental health.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵?
Mental health is an expression we use every day. But, the term ‘Mental Health’ is frequently misunderstood by many. 𝘔𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 is often used as a substitute for mental health conditions – such as depression, anxiety conditions, schizophrenia, and others. Mental health is much more than a diagnosis or the absence of a mental illness. It’s overall emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel about our self, act, respond, make choices, and interact with others. Our mental health is what determines how we handle stress or conflict.

𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 isn’t about mental illness. It’s also about 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀. It’s about coping with day-to-day life stresses, it’s about being involved in your community, it’s about living your life in a free and satisfying way.

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝘀 𝗡𝗢𝗧:
 Living life without problems. *{A problem- free life does not exist. if your life has no issues or problems, you are not truly alive. and that's a Big Problem).*
 Feeling jolly and happy 100 percent all the time.
 Always having positive thoughts.
 Being perfect.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻?
This is a tricky question. There’s no "𝘗𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵" example of good mental health because good mental health will look different for each person. However, there are a few characteristics such as:

 The ability to learn.
 The ability to feel, express and manage a range of positive and negative emotions.
 The ability to form and maintain good relationships with other people.
 The ability to care for physical and emotional health.
 The ability to cope and manage change, pressure, uncertainty, challenges and life’s low moments.

Positive or good mental health isn’t about the absence of mental illness, it’s about being able to cope and push on when life throws you a curve ball. Having good mental health enables us to thrive, succeed and lead the life of our dreams. We can bounce back from setbacks more easily, connect with family and friends, perform better at work, and relish moments of fun and joy.

Next week, I will conclude this series by sharing tips on how you can maintain good mental health and how to find the right balance in your life in the midst of stressors, pressure and challenges.

For me, I’m looking forward to a super-fun weekend. I hope you are too! Remember this: A life without issues does not exist. You are not truly living if there are no difficulties in your life. If there isn’t any difficulties in your life. 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧'𝗦 𝗔 𝗕𝗜𝗚 𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗨𝗘! Make having a good mental health your priority. Have the courage to ask for help. There is no need to face life's stressors and challenges alone. There are over 7 billion people in the world. There’s a loving tribe out there ready to hold your hands and walk with you. You are not alone.