Mental Wellness

Mental wellness is a process that involves finding balance in life, including your social, intellectual, physical (diet, exercise, medication management, substance use), spiritual, economic and mental ways of being. Mental wellness is not correlated with mental illness; people with mental illness can be mentally well, and people without a diagnosis of a mental illness can be mentally unwell. Maintaining mental wellness requires regular check-ins to assess and adjust various demands and stresses of everyday life, balancing them with activities and experiences that bring joy and healing.

Mental wellness looks different for everyone. You can think about it as finding a way of being that lets you be your best self. That might involve a dynamic, active life and energy, or it might look like a calm, subdued way of being. There’s no universal formula for mental wellness – you get to define your own experience.

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There are many ways to support your mental wellness! Here are a few ideas:

  • See a therapist. No matter who you are or what your circumstances are, there are aspects of being alive that present challenges. Having someone hold space that’s just for you can be a powerful, positive experience and can give you new tools for managing your wellness.
  • Take time for yourself. Life can be very busy, but you’ll actually get things done more efficiently if you have taken space for yourself to breathe, relax and center.

 

  • Recognize your personal and cultural context. We are social beings living in an intricate web of relationships and structures. Your mental wellbeing is affected by the world around you, and sometimes it can be helpful to recognize how your context is contributing or taking away from your mental wellness.
  • Connect with people – many approaches to psychology consider interpersonal connection to be a powerful tool for healing. It can be empowering to make and cultivate connections with people around you, building up a community of support.

Additional Resources

MentalHealth.gov Educates and guides individuals, families, communities and schools on mental health and recovery. Has a collection of personal video stories of hope and recovery and a comprehensive guide on how to start conversations about mental health in your community. Go to site
Here to Help Comprehensive resources on mental well-being, including 11 wellness modules ranging from anger management to healthy sleeping patterns to social support. Assembled by a group of 7 different non-profit agencies, offers a collection of personal stories describing personal journeys to well-being, wellness quizzes and resources specific to various groups: Aboriginal, LGBT, men, seniors. Go to site
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) For support and family help, with a network through communities around the U.S. for individuals and families struggling with mental health challenges. Contains articles aimed at helping people find resources, get help, and connect with those in similar situations and includes online discussion groups. Offer a number of ways to get involved including NAMI Walks, awareness events and campus groups. Also offer various support groups for grief and bereavement in different areas of the U.S.  Go to site

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