Mental Health and Mental Wellness

Recently, I have been witness to multiple mental health issues. These issues have made mental health a central focus on my mind and have enlightened me to the struggles associated with mental illness. I am a firm believer in practicing good mental health through mental wellness. Confused by the terminology? Want to learn more about preserving good mental health at any age? If so, then keep on reading.

First, let’s differentiate between mental health, mental illness, and mental wellness. Mental health is how one functions in their daily life. One’s ability to function in their daily life is affected by a lot of factors, including mental illness. Mental illness is any diagnosable mental health disorder. Mental wellness consists of proactive techniques one can use to positively affect their mental health.

Mental health is very important. It is a key part of success in life. However, many factors affect one’s mental health, including mental illness. Mental illness can take many forms, from mild to severe. Some examples of mental illness include schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Anyone can suffer from mental illness at some point in their life, regardless of race, gender or any other demographic factor. In fact, approximately 1 in 5 individuals suffer from mental health disorders.

How does one address mental illness? The primary ways are by seeking counseling and through medication. However, many don’t seek these resources due to stigma surrounding mental health issues. I want to dispel this stigma. My recent experiences have shown me that mental health and mental illness are a normal part of life. They happen at any time, can be triggered by any event, and can be acute or chronic.

In addition to counseling and medication, one way to address mental health is by practicing mental wellness techniques. Some mental wellness techniques include getting good sleep, maintaining good hygiene and having good nutrition. Others include more general processes such as recognizing your feelings, maintaining a sense of purpose and building positive relationships with those around you. These

techniques aren’t a cure for any diagnosis, but they certainly can help you address them and live your best life possible.

I hope this article was helpful to anyone experiencing mental health issues or interested in learning more about mental health. If you are experiencing a serious mental health issue, please reach out to 911 or the Colorado Crisis Hotline (988). If you need assistance applying for benefits such as SNAP, Medicaid or Social Security, please reach out to Benefits in Action by calling 720-221-8354. Until next time, stay healthy and safe.