Why is Mental Health Important? Mental health is fundamental to our overall well-being, profoundly influencing how we think, act, and interact in our daily lives. Good mental health enables us to face life’s challenges with resilience, build strong and meaningful relationships, and make decisions that shape a positive future for ourselves, families and our communities. Recognizing the importance of mental health is key to fostering a healthier society, as it lays the foundation for individual resilience, effective communication, and collective well-being.
Reasons to care for mental health and treat mental health conditions.
• Stabilize constructive behaviors, emotions, and thoughts.
• Increase productivity.
• Enhance our self-image.
• Improve relationships.
• Thinking more clearly.
• Enhanced sense of inner peace.
Nurturing mental health does not just improve our daily functioning, but it can also help us control — or at least combat — some of the physical health problems linked to mental health conditions. For example, heart disease and stress are related. So, managing stress might have a positive effect on heart disease and promote a healthy lifestyle and longer life expectancy.
Positive factors that impact mental health:
• Seeking therapy
• Fitness, yoga or low impact exercise
• Journaling for your mental health
• Practicing mindfulness — such as mindfulness meditation
• Learning to communicate effectively can be great for mental health and emotional health
Negative factors that impact mental health
• Unresolved past trauma, abuse, or neglect
• Poor stress management skills
• Social disadvantage, isolation and loneliness
• Discrimination
• Long-term physical conditions
• Poverty or financial debt
• Unemployment
• Relationship breakup or divorce
• Dysfunctional family life
Things to consider about our mental health:
• Invisible doesn’t mean insignificant: Unlike physical conditions, mental health struggles aren’t always visible, which leads to dismissal or misunderstanding.
• Ripple effects on society: Untreated mental health conditions can affect relationships, employment, education, and increase risk of substance abuse or homelessness.
• Economic impact: Mental health issues cost the U.S. economy billions annually in lost productivity, healthcare spending, and social services.
Sources:
https://www.talkspace.com/blog/how-to-communicate-effectively/
https://www.talkspace.com/blog/mindfulness-meditation-definition-guide-benefits/
https://www.talkspace.com/blog/journaling-for-mental-health/