Defining Good Mental Health

Define what good mental health is

Good mental health isn 't just the absence of mental health problems. Being mentally or emotionally healthy is much more than being free of depression, anxiety, or other psychological issues. Rather than the absence of mental illness, mental health refers to the presence of positive characteristics

Reference: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/improving-emotional-health.htm

What are factors that affect good mental health?

Some factors that affect good mental health are:

- self-esteem

- feeling loved

- confidence

- family break up or loss

- abuse

- neglect

- coping skills

- stress

- financial problems

These kinds of factors can affect your good mental health and can lead into anxiety and depression.

# listen to music To keep your mind off things and concentrate on the music

10. # manage your stress As it can improve your mood, boost immune function, promote longevity and allow you to be more productive

What is a personal challenge that you have faced in your life that affected your good mental health? Explain this challenge. (What was the context, how did you react, how was your day to day life affected? How was your mental health affected?)

When I was in prep, I faced bullying. I just let it happen because I didn’t know what to do. I wouldn’t go to school and didn’t want to talk to anyone. I was very shy and lacked confidence so none of my family members or friends knew what was happening. My daily life was affected a lot because I was too scared and I just stayed in my room most of the time so I didn’t socialise.

When faced with this challenge, were you able/unable to make a healthy and safe choice?

I was able to make a healthy and safe choice when I talked to my mum who then talked to my teacher who got the problem solved. I was protected outside and inside of school at all times by families and friends

What strategies (if any) did you use during this time, were they successful or

When I was with my friends, I could forget that I was bullied and forget the hard times. My top 5 squad people were: my mum, my teacher, my dad, my siblings and my friends. These were the people who helped me get through that stage and the people I trusted. They would try to do everything they could to stop the bullying and they would protect me.

What have you learnt from this challenge, how has it strengthened you and how will you use this information to assist others in similar situations

I learnt that you should tell someone when you’re getting bullied or picked on because it could escalate even more. This whole bullying experiment has made me stronger and more confident about myself because after going through the phase of being bullied, you won’t be scared anymore and you know what to do if it happens again. If someone was in the same situation as my, I would tell them to go tell someone right away and just stand up for yourself.

What advice would you give and what strategy/strategies would you advise people utilise in a similar