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On Tuesday, I came across a Global Youth Mental Health Advocacy Toolkit by Orygen Global Youth Mental Health and thought I’d share something I found interesting with you. Ride with me.

Globally, mental health is gaining prominence, and we are now seeing mental health as an integral part of our overall health, demonstrating how forward-thinking we are as a planet, and continent. 

Also, significant efforts have been made to raise awareness and understanding of mental illness. However, not all cultures and countries address mental health issues in the same way.

More importantly, it’s encouraging to see how people are coming forward to test for mental illnesses and accept treatment; while this is still a long way off in Africa, it’s certain we’re getting there.

But is mental health solely concerned with mental illnesses? Is it limited to schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, anxiety, eating disorder, depression, insomnia, alcohol and substance abuse, and other similar conditions? That’s what we’d be talking about today. I mean, what comes to mind when you hear the word “mental health”?

Ah, let me make an educated guess. Depression? Therapists? Psychiatric hospitals? While mental health is related to those, it is more than all of these. 

How a person feels, thinks, and behaves is an indication of their mental health. Someone can be mentally healthy, mentally ill, or somewhere in the middle. People who have mental health conditions can recover and have periods of good mental health, while people who do not have mental health diagnoses can also have periods of bad mental health.

Mental Health Spectrum 

A person with good mental health and no mental illness may have a positive attitude toward themselves and their relationships, as well as a strong sense of purpose. They may, for example, be doing well in school and are optimistic about their future.

A person with poor mental health but no mental illness may be depressed, estranged from friends, or have low self-esteem. For example, they may have had a stressful few weeks at school and are unsure how things will improve. 

A person suffering from poor mental health and a mental illness may have low self esteem and find it difficult to interact with others or care for themselves. They may, for example, have schizophrenia, be unemployed, and have lost contact with family and friends.

A person who has both good mental health and a mental illness may feel good about themselves and their purpose, but they will continue to manage their mental illness. They may, for example, be depressed but have a good job and strong relationships.

A person’s mental health is represented by the line in the spectrum that runs from top to bottom. A person at the top would have ‘good mental health,’ which is a state that allows us to reach our full potential, cope with life’s stresses, and function as members of a productive community. 

A person at the bottom would have ‘poor mental health,’ which is defined as a state in which our thoughts, feelings, or behaviors continue to be negatively influenced.

If a person has a mental illness, the line on the spectrum that runs from left to right indicates whether or not they have it. A person on the far left has a severe mental illness, while a person closer to the middle on the left has a mild mental illness.

A person sitting far right would not have a mental illness, whereas a person sitting closer to the middle on the right might have some risk factors for a mental illness, such as a previous mental illness or a chronic medical condition like diabetes.

At different times, a person can move along both of these lines. Each corner of the spectrum depicts an example of a person’s mental health in the area.

Mental health is not only defined by the extremes of the spectrums; there are numerous states that can exist along the spectrum. Individuals will have varying experiences with mental health or the severity of illness at various points in their lives.

There are numerous factors — biological, psychological, social, and environmental — that influence where someone falls on the spectrum in general, as well as where they fall at any given time. 

One factor alone is not enough to cause a period of mental ill-health or mental illness, but a combination of factors can change our mental health and wellbeing at a given point in time.

Finally, good mental health does not simply imply the absence of a mental health disorder. As a result, even if you appear to be mentally healthy but are for instance, having difficulty sleeping, it is critical that you see a doctor or therapist.

Do have an amazing week ahead!