The term “mental health” is often misunderstood. It doesn’t mean “mental illness” or “mentally ill.” Your mental health is about how good you feel emotionally. Just like we take care of our bodies, we also need to take care of our mind and emotions.
Being mentally healthy means doing things that bring you pleasure, like:
- Spending time with family and friends
- Attending worship services or community events
- Participating in exercise or education classes at a gym or senior center
- Volunteering at a hospital or food bank
Being mentally healthy means doing things that bring you pleasure, like:
- Spending time with family and friends
- Attending worship services or community events
- Participating in exercise or education classes at a gym or senior center
- Volunteering at a hospital or food bank
Mental health also means talking about things that make you feel sad, scared, lonely or depressed. You might talk with your spouse or other family member, a clergy member, or a trusted friend.
Talking with a mental health specialist, or a behavioral health specialist, can help you work through your feelings and develop positive coping habits that help you feel better. Seeing a specialist doesn’t mean you have a mental illness. It means you’re strong and recognize that something isn’t quite right, and you’re taking steps to find out why.
