What is Mental Health?

Although mental health is difficult to define, most people would probably agree that mentally healthy individuals relate well to others, cope effectively with stress, and make choices that align with positive values, take care of their physical health, and respect themselves and others. They also know when they need to seek mental health counseling.

While being mentally healthy is the ideal, mental illness is a very real problem. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental illness affects one in five families in the U. S. Some mental illnesses have a physical cause, such as a chemical imbalance in the brain, and some may be triggered by stress or trauma. If you're struggling with a mental illness, or if issues such as anxiety and sadness are preventing you from having a satisfying life, it may be time for you to begin mental health counseling.

Mental health articles stress that mental health counseling works! Of course, counseling is essential for people with mental illness but it's also effective for people who simply need support as they work through a difficult life situation. In your search for a psychotherapist, look for someone who views you as a whole person no matter the issue you bring in, in other words as a person who can heal and grow rather than as a person who needs help. Such a non-pathologizing approach will empower you on your healing journey and give you encouragement to participate fully in the collaborative effort of therapy.