Mental Health: Myths and Misconceptions
When the topic of ‘mental health’ comes up in conversation, our first thoughts are often of diagnoses, therapy, crises, and so on. There is a common misconception that mental health is only relevant when we are struggling, or that it doesn’t exist until there is a problem. However, mental health is just like physical health; we all have it, and it’s where we fall on the spectrum of mental health that determines how we feel at any given time. Our mental health can range from excellent to poor for a number of reasons.
So, what is mental health?
In general, mental health refers to a person’s state of psychological and emotional wellbeing - how they feel, what they are thinking, what they are doing, and their capacity to set goals and handle challenges. For example:
Someone with excellent mental health may be able to work productively, interact positively with others, effectively handle the day-to-day stresses of life, and feel like they are flourishing.
Someone with poor mental health may be struggling to do the things throughout the day that they need to (cook meals, go to work), have difficulty managing their responsibilities, feel that their emotions are out of control, and or that they cannot move forward without help from others.
Where an individual falls on the spectrum of mental health depends on a number of factors that interact and change over time. Some factors include:
Physical health (nutrition, exercise, physical ability, sleep).
Family history (including genetics or childhood experiences).
Social factors (financial situation, friendships, support, or discrimination).
Life events (such as experiencing a severe or long-term stressor).
As these factors vary over time and interact with one another, our mental health varies with them; we feel, think and/or act differently as our circumstances change.
Why learn about mental health?
Although the importance of mental health is increasingly recognized, many people still do not know exactly how to go about bolstering their mental wellness. With all the factors that contribute to our mental health, it can be hard to know where to begin in addressing our mental health. Here, the old adage applies… knowledge is power. The first step towards promoting and protecting mental health is educating oneself! If you are interested in learning more about a variety of mental health and wellness topics, check out our other blogs where we dive into important topics such as How to Find a Therapist in Canada, Steps to Regulating Your Emotions, Nurturing the Brain-Gut Connection, and much more!
If you want to learn more about mental health protection and promotion, consider booking Nicole Legg as a speaker for your next company event, training, or lunch & learn. Nicole’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Talk provides attendees with the knowledge and tools to understand and bolster their mental health, as well as the skills to be sensitive to others’ mental wellbeing. Learn more about this mental health education talk and book Nicole as your next mental health speaker by clicking here.
Written by:
Nicole Legg, MSc., WellIntel Talks CEO, Expert Speaker and PhD Candidate in Clinical Psychology