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The Basics

Here you'll find an overview of everything mental health. What is mental health? Why is it important? What are some ways that you could improve it? These are all questions that we hope to provide insight to and answer. 

What exactly is mental health?

Mental health is a condition that includes biological, psychological, or social factors contributing to a person's mental state and ability to function in the environment. 
These include realizing one's potential, coping with the stresses, and contributing to society are essential elements of mental health. Others including intellectual, emotional, and spiritual development, positive self-perception, self-esteem, physical fitness, and inner harmony.

Why is it important?

The ability to fulfill social roles and participate in social interactions is an essential aspect of mental health and resilience to stress. Furthermore, incorporating a harmonious relationship between body and mind is based on the premise that mind, brain, organism, and environment are strongly interconnected and how one's body feels in its environment feels. Interruptions in this interaction can result in eating disorders, self-harm, or poor physical health.

"Mental health... is not a destination, but a process. It's about how you drive, not where you're going."

Noam Shpancer, PhD in Psychology with specialty in clinical and developmental psychology (Schpancer, 2010).

Self reflection is an intimidating and uncomfortable process for many people because it is a journey into the unknown. However, it's important to be able to know your strengths, limitations, emotions and behaviors. Doing so will empower you to take full control and seek the help that you may need (Jack & Miller, 2008).
 

Some questions to ask yourself:

  • How would I describe my overall mood?

  • Has my mood changed significantly in the last 6-12 months?

  • How do I manage my stress or changes in mood?

    • ​Do they work? Are they healthy?​

  • Have I had any thoughts about harming others or myself in the last 6-12 months?

("How aware of you of your own mental health," 2019)

How do I know what the state of my mental health is?

Seeking help is never easy and the journey to better mental health is unique for every individual. A report from the World Health Organization states that the biggest barrier to achieving better mental health is the stigma against mental health along with discrimination against those suffering from mental health (Murthy, 2001). However, it's important that individuals are aware of the importance of a good mental health, as stigma has a relationship with an overall decrease in quality of life in those with poor mental health (Livingston & Boyd, 2010).

 

Some common ways people facilitate an environment for better mental health are:

  • Connecting with others

  • Establishing a support system

  • Staying physically fit

    • Eating enough nutritious foods​

    • Getting enough exercise

    • Getting enough sleep

  • Talking to mental health professionals

  • Develop healthy coping strategies

    • Find something that you enjoy doing​

    • Read, draw, create!

How can I improve my mental health?

Podcast on why mental health?

Resources

Below are some free resources that we hope will connect you with the proper help you may need. 

Hope Means Nevada

Resources that are more specific for those in the Nevada area. However, they are still great resources for anyone of any area!

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

If you need someone to talk to or need referrals to find the help you need, visit this website. 

Center for Diseases Control and Prevention

A link that leads you to much more information about mental health, along with a variety of Government resources.

'How aware are you of your own mental health?" (2019). The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Jack, K. & Miller, E. (2008). Exploring self-awareness in mental health practices. Mental Health Practice, 12(3), 31.

Lepore, Stephen & Greenberg, M.A. & Bruno, M.. (2002). Expressive writing and health: self-regulation of emotionrelated experience. 10.1037/10451-005. 

Livingston, J. D. & Boyd, J. E. (2010). Correlates and consequences of internalized stigma for people living with mental illness: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Social Science

& Medicine, 71, 2150-2161. 

Murthy, R. S. (2001). The World Health Report 2001: Mental health, new understanding, new hope. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.

Miller, M. C. (2019). The mental health benefits of expressive writing. In Harvard Health Publications (Ed.), Harvard Medical School commentaries on health. Harvard Health

Publications. Credo Reference: http://ezproxy.library.unlv.edu/login? url=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/hhphoh/the_mental_health_benefits_of_expressive_writing/0? institutionId=778.

Schpancer, N.  (2010).  The Good Psychologist: A novel. Henry Holt and Co.

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