Mental Health –

 A state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with
the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a
contribution to his or her community.

 The successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling

W.H.O.'s definition of Health: "A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not
merely the absence of disease or infirmity."

Characteristics of a Mentally Healthy Person

1. They know their own selves, such as own strength and weakness.
2. Has the ability to make adjustments.
3. Emotionally mature and stable.
4. Socially adjustable.
5. Intellectual powers are adequately developed.
6. Lives in the world of reality.
7. Courage and tolerance to face failures in his life.
8. Free from mental illness.
9. Good health habits.
10. Self-confident and optimist.
11. Healthy interest and aptitudes.
12. Well balanced life.
13. Satisfied with profession and occupation.

There is nothing to be called as perfect mental health.

Mental Illness –

 An illness with psychological or behavioral manifestation and/or impairment in functioning, due

1. General features
o Emotionally unstable and easily upset.
o Suspicious and insecure.
o Self-critical.
o Lack of self-confidence.
o Lack of adjustment.
o Frustrations and conflicts.
o Over anxious and tensed.
o Poor self-concept.
o Lives in the world of imagination.

2. Bodily Signs
o Back pain.
o Change in appetite.
o Chest pain.
o Diarrhea
o High-blood pressure.
o Palpitations.
o Insomnia.

3. Behavioral Signs
o Sudden change in mood.
o Long lasting sadness.
o Temper tantrums.
o Excessive fear, worry.
o Confused thinking, illogical reasoning.
o Paranoid thinking.
o Delusions and hallucinations.
o Alcoholism and drug abuse.
o Difficulty in concentration.

Resilience is what gives people the psychological strength to cope with stress and hardship. It is the
mental reservoir of strength that people are able to call on in times of need to carry them through
without falling apart. Psychologists believe that resilient individuals are better able to handle such
adversity and rebuild their lives after a catastrophe.

Dealing with change or loss is an inevitable part of life. At some point, everyone experiences varying
degrees of setbacks. Some of these challenges might be relatively minor (not getting into a class you
wanted to take), while others are disastrous on a much larger scale (hurricanes, tornadoes, terrorist
attacks). How we deal with these problems can play a significant role in not only the outcome but also
the long-term psychological consequences.

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to remain calm in the face of disaster while others
appear to come undone? People that can keep their cool have what psychologists call resilience, or an
ability to cope with problems and setbacks.

Diathesis-Stress Model –

 Each individual possesses some degree of inherent vulnerability for developing a given disorder.
Onset of a disorder can then be triggered by environmental stress; however, the amount or
intensity of stress required to trigger a disorder depends on the extent to which the individual is
inherently vulnerable. Hence, the greater an individual’s vulnerability to a disorder, the smaller
the amount of stress needed to trigger the development of the disorder. This interaction
between diathesis and stress can help to explain why some individuals develop a disorder while
others do not.

Mental Hygiene –

 The branch of psychiatry that deals with the science and practice of maintaining and restoring
mental health, and of preventing mental disorder through education, early treatment, and
public health measures.

 Developing, maintaining and promoting necessary behavioral, emotional and social skills to
sustain good, effective and efficient mental health.

BASIC STRATEGIES
1. Reality Contact - having a realistic appraisal of one’s own reactions, emotions and abilities; being
aware of own strength and limitations so that realistic goals may be achieved—

2. Impulse Control - being in complete control over your impulse behaviors.

3. Self-Esteem - evaluative component of self; also includes self-concept which is the awareness about
oneself. One who is aware of them and accepts and respects oneself in its very shape and existence is
likely to enjoy good mental health while the others who blames self cannot lead a healthy mental
health.

4. Positive Thoughts - developing the power of positive thinking which generates positive emotions.

BEHAVIORS WHICH SUSTAIN GOOD HEALTH

1. Right Food

2. Right Routine

3. Right Recreation

4. Right Thinking

Resilience does not eliminate stress or erase life's difficulties. People who possess this resilience don’t
see life through rose-colored lenses. They understand that setbacks happen and that sometimes life is
hard and painful. They still experience the emotional pain, grief, and sense of loss that comes after a
tragedy, but their mental outlook allows them to work through such feelings and recover.

Instead, resilience gives people the strength to tackle problems head-on, overcome adversity, and move
on with their lives.

Not only would they be able to remain strong in the face of crisis and challenges but they would also be
able to carry on and even offer emotional support to others affected by the same tragedies.