What is Mental Health?

World Health Organization (WHO) defines as “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This implies that mental health is more than just the absence of mental disorders or disabilities, it encompasses all. Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. According to the WHO, mental health is the state of well being where a person recognizes his or her potential. The person can work fruitfully, contribute to the community and be able to handle and cope with the stress life may bring.

The Totality of Who we are

• We are made up of spirit, soul and body.
• We are created to look up to a higher being who is our Creator (I called mine God through Jesus Christ)
• Our Creator is our Source – the source of our being which is our spirit. We are a spirit.
• Our spiritual DNA is perfect, good, all-knowing, powerful, etc
• Our Soul is where our mind resides.
• We gave a conscious and sub-conscious mind
• The mind is made up of 6 mental faculties:
• Our body very powerful carrier or container of our being.
• The body operates with five sense organs:

Mental Health Disorder

• Mental health disorder is state where a person is not able to cope with stressful situations or pressure or challenges of life in their daily, social, psychological or emotional activities. The following can lead to mental health disorder:
• Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
• Life experiences, such as rape, traumatic or abusive relationship in home, school, work places or social gathering.
• Family history of mental health problems
• Although mental health problems are common but there are help available. People with mental health problems can get better and many recover completely and live a normal life as well as contributing productively to the society.

Early Warning signs of Mental Disorder

The following are some of the signs that may shows that you need to talk with a professional Counsellor or psychologist:

• Eating or sleeping too much or too little
• Isolating from people and usual activities
• Having low or no energy
• Feeling numb or like nothing matters
• Having unexplained aches and pains
• Feeling helpless or hopeless
• Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
• Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
• Yelling or fighting with family and friends
• Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
• Having persistent negative thoughts and memories regularly.
• Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
• Thinking of harming yourself or others
• Inability to perform daily tasks like personal hygiene, taking care of your kids or getting to work or school

Mental Health and Counseling

• Counselling or ‘talking therapy’ is a process where an individual (client or counsellee) meet with a trained professional counsellor to talk about issues and problems that they are facing in their lives.
• Counselling can provide people with mental health disorder an opportunity to share their views, be heard and gain new perspectives on their situation and experiences.
• Counselling can give you an insight of what is happening with you and help in suggesting a lasting solution on how you can cope with it or overcome it.
• The best person to talk with at any point of your life’s challenge after God, is always a professional trained Counsellor who have the ability to listen to you without judgment, empathize with you to restore your self-esteem, help you get to the point of self-awareness and keep your confidentiality.
• Tell someone that they need a professional Counsellor today. Cheers.