Definition
According to www.mentalhealth.gov “Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being” and this can have an impact on a number of things, including how we:
- Think
- Feel
- Act
- Handle Stress
- Make Choices
- Relate to Others
Affecting Factors
There are three main factors that can have an impact on your mental health:
- Biological
- Genes
- Brain Chemistry
- Life Experiences
- Trauma
- Abuse
- Family History of mental health problems
Myth Busting
Myth: Mental health problems are rare.
Fact: Statistics show that 1 in 4 people in the UK experience a mental health problem every year.
Myth: You can’t recover from a mental health problem.
Fact: Treatment and recovery are possible and are an ongoing process. Mental health charities like Mind and Remploy are there to provide support and guidance on finding the road to recovery.
Myth: People experiencing mental health problems tend to be violent or dangerous.
Fact: People experiencing mental health problems are more likely to be a victim of violence.
Myth: You can see if someone has a mental health problem.
Fact: It is not possible to tell if someone has a mental health problem just by looking at them.
Signs:
Signs of mental health problems can include:
- Lacking energy
- Not wanting to do things you normally enjoy
- Restlessness or agitation
- Struggling to concentrate
- Change in eating or sleeping habits
How to get help
There are many charities that are able to provide you with the support you need.
For contact information for 4 of these, please visit our Mental Health Blog.
Or, you can always talk to your GP. Please never suffer in silence, there is always someone that can help.