TAKING CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

TAKING CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

What is Mental Health?

Mentally healthy people have positive self-image and can relate successfully to others most of the time. They are able to handle life's everyday challenges and changes, as well as its traumas and transitions—loss of loved ones, marriage difficulties, school problem, the challenge of retirement.

Unlike the short-term difficulties people may experience occasionally in life, severe and persistent mental illnesses are diseases of brain that have psychological, biological and sometimes situational causes. Just like physical illnesses, they range from mild to severe. Fortunately, most mental illnesses have become much better understood in the last 20—30 years and most can be successfully treated. Help ranges from counseling, to medication to support group and other types of supports.

Recognizing and Addressing Problems

Mental health issues affect people of all ages, races, cultures and economic conditions. There is nothing to be ashamed of if you are experiencing a mental illness or have a friend or family member who is ill. You are not alone.

The first step is dealing with mental illness is to acknowledge and identify the problems the person is experiencing.

A mental health professional should evaluate a person who is experiencing one or more of the following symptoms as soon as possible:

Marked personality change.
Inability to cope with problems and daily activities.
Strange or grandiose ideas.
Excessive anxieties.
Marked changes in eating or sleeping patterns.
Extreme highs and lows.
Abuse of alcohol or drugs.
Excessive anger, hostility or violent behavior.