Our definition of health is often restricted to physical well-being. Let us explore an area which contributes to our overall well-being – mental health.

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This is the definition of health as given by the World Health Organization. The less understood and less emphasised aspect of health remains our mental health.

Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. Mental health plays a key role, but due to its intangible nature is often neglected. This is the missing link that explains why individuals with vibrant physical health and material comforts still do not experience a sense of overall well-being.

Symptoms Of Mental Illness

Due to the subtlety of its nature, mental illness often goes unnoticed or is ignored as ‘crazy’ behaviour. Following are a few of the symptoms that can help you detect mental illness:

• Depression that persists over a few weeks
• Lack of motivation over a prolonged period
• Loss of interest in activities that were enjoyed previously
• Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness that persist over a period of time
• Fears and anxieties that are out of proportion to events
• Difficulty concentrating and/or sudden irritability
• Disruption of normal sleep
• Thoughts of suicide

If you observe one or more of the above symptoms in yourself or a near one it is advisable to consult a trained psychiatrist and take guidance for restoring mental health.

Promoting Mental Health

Prevention is always better than cure. And this holds true for mental health as well. According to Dr. Ron Sterling, a Geriatric Psychiatrist, following are five factors that help promote sound mental health.

1. Self-Appreciation
   
   We need to be able to assess not only our weaknesses but also our strengths. And also to appreciate our unique and individual contributions to this world. It is easy for the mind to focus on the negative. We need to develop an attitude of giving due credit to one’s self for all the great things that we are invariably doing. This fills us with positivity, a condition necessary for a healthy mind.


2. Resilience
   
   It ensures that we are able to deal with, recover from and bounce back when faced with hardships, misfortune or change. It is the quality that makes one tough enough to absorb the shocks that life sends without adversely affecting our sanity.


3. Affiliation
   
   It is the ability to develop healthy relationships and build mutually supportive social networks. It is fulfilment of one of the basic human psychological needs – of feeling connected.


4. Negotiation
   
   It is the openness to see that we may not have answers to all questions and that we can learn from others as well as from experience and thus alter our beliefs based on new information. This quality makes sure that the mind does not get into ruts thus affecting mental health.


5. Physical and Mental Exercises
   
   Physical exercises like dancing, gardening and mental exercises like chess, board games, crossword puzzles are known to help reduce the risk of mental ill-health as well as help in maintaining an active mind.
   
   “You can never solve a problem on the level on which it was created,” said Dr. Albert Einstein. And so it is with the mind. To tackle the problems of the mind, as well as to realise the true potential of this marvellous device, we need to work on the level of spirit. Embracing spirituality as a way of life gifts one with all-round well-being.