29. Understanding Mental Health and How Healing Begins

Connection Therapy

Mental health is a complex and essential part of our lives, but many people overlook how many ways we can improve it. Therapy is often the go-to solution, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. So, what does mental health really mean, and how can we know when we’ve made progress?

This week, Brenda has been reflecting on these big questions and exploring what mental health and healing truly look like. As she dug deeper into this, she wanted to go back to the basics and examine the core ideas behind mental health itself.

Brenda looked to the American Psychological Association (APA) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), an organization dedicated to supporting those affected by mental health challenges. These organizations see mental health as emotional well-being, the ability to cope with daily stresses, and form meaningful relationships. Essentially, it’s about living life in a balanced way, being able to function in work, school, and at home without feeling overwhelmed.

But what about healing? When someone is struggling with their mental health, how can they return to balance? NAMI reminds us that mental health challenges are very common—one in five adults and one in six children face mental health issues each year.

Brenda also thought about how to improve mental health when professional help is hard to come by. Nearly half the US population lives in areas without enough mental health professionals. This makes it even more crucial to know that there are steps people can take on their own to improve mental health before seeking out a professional. Regular exercise, eating well, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and practicing gratitude can make a big difference. Building social connections is another important factor. Staying connected with others helps improve emotional well-being and can prevent isolation.

Brenda reminds listeners that healing isn’t always linear, but there are things we can all do to feel better and live with more balance.

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References:

American Psychological Association (APA)

https://www.apa.org/topics/mental-health

Jaak Panksepp(2009). Brain emotional systems and qualities of mental life: From animal models of affect to implications for psychotherapeutics. In D. Fosha, D. J., Siegel, & M. F. Solomon (Eds.), The healing power of emotion: Affective neuroscience, development & clinical practice (pp. 1-26). New York, NY: Norton.

Stephen Porges (2011). Polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. pp. 12-17.

Allan Schore, https://www.allanschore.com/