As winter moves into spring and March becomes April, mental illness is evolving into mental health – or perhaps, mental wellness. At this point in time, the first two come as nature adapts, while the last one remains a constant struggle. From the song “Sunrise, Sunset” in the musical Fiddler on the Roof, we sing, “Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers”. Mental illness to mental health will not happen overnight, but my hope is that it will happen. To attain this, we must adjust our thinking and the way we see all the people of the universe. Yes, I believe that life exists in places other than Earth. Maybe they are not human beings, but it is still life.
Many social scientists believe that there is a strong link between mental health and physical well-being. Research shows that the mind and body are interconnected, while some add the soul to this equation. Pure mind, body, and soul is a way of understanding ourselves as “whole people”. This means that one’s professional and personal lives are intertwined and interact with each other. It has also been observed that one’s mental health has a significant impact on one’s physical health – and vice versa. Again, the soul is included to make this a three-ring circus.
Altering our perspectives of wellness is a continual battle. For me, it is well worth the effort. Greek King Pyrrhus in 279 B.C. coined the expression, “Winning the battle, losing the war”, suggesting that sometimes we win by losing. But mental health workers, including peer specialists, have not given up the fight and must remain vigilant. Moving ahead several centuries, Captain John Paul Jones in 1779 declared, “I have not yet begun to fight”. Advocates for mental health echo this thought by persisting in the struggle for equality and fairness.
Illness is a disease or a prolonged condition affecting the body or mind. Mental illness includes a wide range of conditions or disorders that influence our mood, thinking, or behaviour. Many people, including me, believe that mental illness is not a disease and should instead be called mental health or mental wellness. Some of us argue that using the term mental illness stigmatises people by labelling them, making us feel inferior and lowering our self-esteem. Ultimately, this causes negative thinking and behaviours, which often lead to heightened anxiety and depression.
Conversely, when we use the phrases mental health or mental wellness, they suggest improvement and progress. Healthier bodies and minds are affirmed, and we are encouraged to do more to achieve success. Furthermore, mental wellness can be maintained with a proper diet and a good exercise regimen. Remember to consult with doctors before starting any diet or exercise programme. “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher,” stated Oprah Winfrey. This mindset creates a positive attitude for our physical and mental health.
Maintaining mental wellness, mental health, and well-being is a lifelong commitment, with many effective ways to realise it. One approach is to try relaxing activities and explore wellness programmes or habits. These may include meditation, body awareness, and deep breathing exercises. Schedule regular times for these and other healthy pursuits. Set realistic goals so they can be achieved and maintained. Personally, I enjoy writing and journalling for my mental well-being. I also write poetry.
Mental health is vital for our overall well-being, yet it is often overlooked, neglected, or stigmatised. Managing our emotions is essential to treating ourselves with fairness and kindness. We must offer insight and inspiration to one another in our journey to recovery. Wisdom, encouragement, and hope are just three words to aid us along the way. Sounds like what peer specialists do.
Being a peer specialist, I understand that empowering others supports them in their recovery process. This is done by sharing my own experiences with mental health issues and the techniques that worked for me. My first-hand knowledge helps me connect with each individual on a personal level, creating a sense of common ground. Rather than telling others what is best, I offer choices and allow them to decide for themselves.
There are differences between mental health and mental well-being. Although they are often used interchangeably, well-being is a more positive framing of our mental health. It moves away from pathological concepts and focuses on how we can build our strengths and increase our capacity for qualities associated with higher levels of well-being. The key is to concentrate on broader, positive, empowering, and resilience-building ideas.
To some, well-being – or mental health – is everything that individuals want and need from life. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act in response to life’s challenges. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make decisions. At every stage of life – from childhood to young adulthood to later years – maintaining mental health is essential. It is not only about personal well-being and caring for ourselves, but also about safeguarding the futures of those we love and genuinely care about.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realises his or her own abilities and can cope with the normal stressors of life”. They also added, “One can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”.
For over thirty years, I have been working in the mental health field, and I have been a New York State Certified Peer Specialist since 2017. I can definitely relate to what this article shares. First-hand experience is crucial to genuine recovery. Of course, hard work and believing in oneself are important too. Whether it be for one’s mental health or improved well-being, we can recover. One person at a time.
Two of my favourite expressions that I use often – I apply here.
Howard Diamond is a certified peer specialist from Long Island, New York.
