5 Steps to Improved Mental Health
December 20, 2011 by Dyan
Filed under Mental Wellness
Learn: Mental illness does not discriminate among social economic status, race, culture or occupation. All humans are vulnerable to being affected my mental illness – either through a family member, a friend or co-worker – or through personal experience. Acquiring information about common mental illnesses can ease fears or stigmas associated with mental health disorders.
Some common disorders:
- mood disorders (depression, seasonal affective disorder – SAD, bipolar disorder)
- anxiety disorders
- eating disorders
- personality disorders
- ADHD
- substance abuse and dependency disorders.
Assess: Reflect on your ability to cope with stress or traumatic life events by taking a mental health quiz, many of which are available at the Canadian Mental Health Association’s website (Mental Health Meter, Work-life balance quiz, stress test). Identify areas where your level of emotional well-being can be improved to help you cope with life’s uncertainties.
Seek Help: there are many causes and symptoms of mental health disorders, so it stands to reason that there are many ways to treat such illnesses.
Steps in seeking help:
- Talk to your doctor (or go to a walk in clinic if you do not have a family physician). Your doctor will explore with you the options for treatment: medication, referrals to psychotherapy/counseling, alternative therapies (exercise, homeopathic options, spiritual supports, self-help groups/books, nutrition), and community resources.
- You could also call your local Mental Health Help Line (in Alberta 1-877-303-2642) for confidential information and referrals (referrals can be sent to a variety of professionals depending on what type of treatment you are seeking: Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Counsellors, Social Workers, Mental Health RN, Life/Parent Coaches
Take Action: Now that you have more information you can decide what course of action to take in terms of getting the help you need. The decision to start any course of treatment can be very difficult. Finding a medication or a therapist that you feel comfortable with can be daunting. It’s a good idea to explore a number of options before settling into one. You want to make sure whatever course of action you take is a good fit for you and your family.
Find Balance: Make your emotional well-being a priority. Maintaining a balanced life is difficult in today’s faced-paced world; at the same time, we must find balance in order to sustain good health – physical and mental health. Make a plan to use your strengths to enhance the quality of your life. Value yourself by taking care of your own needs and enjoy aspects of your life that bring you energy and passion.
Hi Dyaneybergen,
Interesting Post, Besides physical benefits, aerobic exercise can contribute to improvements in mental health. A study reviewed literature about exercise and mental health and found “consistent evidence from many studies using various research methods demonstrating that aerobic exercise of 20-30 [minutes in] duration performed between three and five times per week is beneficial to mental health and well-being.”1 Mental health is a broad topic and includes many conditions. Two of these conditions affecting millions of people are depression and anxiety. Some studies have shown that regular aerobic exercise can improve and alleviate some symptoms of these conditions.
Great Job!