Even if we are eating well, exercising, getting enough rest,
and avoiding substance abuse, we still need to consider our mental health
needs. This is one aspect of healthy living that is often ignored more
misunderstood.
We can touch our bodies and see and feel when something is
wrong with them. When we know how they work, we can even imagine what is going
on inside them. However, our emotions, thoughts and beliefs - the things that
shape our mental thoughts and beliefs – are more difficult to pin down. In
addition, because some mentally ill people are unpredictable and dangerous, we are
afraid of people are mentally ill. It seems safer to shut them away and to
forget about them. The last thing we want to consider is that we too might be
at risk of mental illness. However, mental health and mental illness are part
of everyday life.
We need the love of our parents or a stable, available
caregiver to grow into healthy human beings. Love teaches us to trust and to
try new things so that we can acquire new skills for growth. When we are loved,
we can also love in return and help others grow. We need our family, friends,
and the community to give us support, to tell us that we are okay. Only when we
have support can we grow into happy, healthy, productive adults.
Mental health is not possible without physical health. You need
to eat well, be active, and sleep well to enjoy good mental health. You also
need to feel loved and worthwhile, and in control of your life. On top of all
this, most women already have problems with confidence and self-esteem because we are not valued as much as men are.
Fortunately many of us are loved and supported by our parents, our caregivers and our families. This gives us a
good start and helps us deal with difficulties.
