If you were to break that definition down and apply it to yourself, what might you find?:

– Do you feel that you are in a state of well-being? That you feel well most of the time, are happy with who you are, can think clearly and feel connected to others?

yes

no

– Are you aware of your own abilities – you know, the stuff that you are really good at and the things you are working on?

yes

no

– Can you deal with basic pressures of the day like doing homework, setting the table, feeding the dog, practicing penalty kicks for the big game, and being nice to a younger sibling?

yes

no

– Can you set yourself to a task and get it done without any problems? For example, can you set the dinner table without falling apart over it?

yes

no

If you answered yes to these questions, then you fall into what the World Health Organization has defined as mentally healthy. If you stumbled through some of these questions and were a bit unsure, keep reading. Our mental health has good days and bad days too! (The next sub-post goes over this idea in more detail.) However, if you answered no to all of them, you may want to consider reaching out for help.

Being mentally healthy is arguably the most important part of your health. Feeling good about who you are and making good decisions for yourself and those around you is the cornerstone of a happy and healthy life. Feeling good starts from the inside and works its way out. This means, it starts with the very thoughts you have inside your own head.

When you are aware of and able to manage your thoughts, feelings, and reactions/responses, you feel more confident and in control of your life. As such, you feel good about who you are and then you are more likely to make solid decisions about your future. All of these things start in your mind- they are part of your mental world: hence, the term mental health.