mind 
Our mental health (working order of the mind) is just as important as our physical health and even though people can not see into our minds it does not mean that if there are problems or issues they are not real.
A Healthy Mind? What is that?
Everyone likes to be healthy, not just physically fit but also mentally fit! We all enjoy the feeling of being happy and experiencing fun and exciting times with friends and family. We even feel great when we do well at school and teachers give us good grades, or at home when our parents praise us!! But life is like a bit of a roller-coaster and we do not always see things positively. It is easy to experience feelings of not being able to handle a situation, not doing well in your school work and sometimes just feeling down and out. When the 'rollercoaster of life' starts to dip downwards, this is when our mental health can be affected.
What causes mental health issues?
STRESS It is very hard to cope with too much stress. Change can be very hard whether it is the loss of a loved one, moving etc. Young people get a huge amount of pressure on them to succeed and perform from school, home, friends.
GENES Some of the codes in our body can take over and control our body and decide that we will suffer from mental health issues and there is nothing we can do about it.
BIO-CHEMISTRY The mixtures of natural chemicals in our body can control how we are feeling. Many factors can change this, like hormones, illness, stress food etc.
UPBRINGING Some people grow up with unrealistic pressures put on them, be a victim of abuse or neglect. They may not get the love and positive encouragement from their family and support network.
some symptoms of how people may feel:
sad, confused, lonely, angry, guilty, numb, scared, emotional, unable to cope, tired, very energetic, anti social, out of control, tearful, desperate, uncomfortable, uptight, different, unlovable, unapproachable, forgetful.
Did you know?
1 in 4 people will develop a mental health issues during their life - this can vary from minor panic attacks to long term needs. (Jewish Care)
2 million adolescents suffer from depression
Famous people that have suffered from depression include: Winston Churchill, Janet Jackson, Patsy Kensit.
Common Mental Health Issues:
Stress - Stress happens when we are placed under abnormal pressure either at school or in our personal lives. We can usually cope with small amounts of stress but if it goes on for a long time or is very serious it can lead to problems such as anxiety and depression.
Anxiety - Anxiety can be described as an overwhelming feeling of discomfort or unease. At the same time that you feel anxious you may also experience the symptoms of a panic attack: physical changes such as sweating, a racing heart, palpitations or rapid breathing. 1 in 10 people experience anxiety on a regular basis and it can be severely limiting.
Depression - Depression can affect anyone. It is usually related to upsetting life events, such as a loss, friendship problems, physical illness, or school worries.
Eating disorders - The most common eating disorders are Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. Both are serious mental health problems which can lead to physical issues.
Self-harm - It can become an regular way of coping during times of mental distress. Self-harm is often associated with depression, low self-esteem and a poor physical self image. There is also a strong association with sexual abuse.
Dementia - Dementia is a disease of ageing. Alzheimers Disease is the most common form. People with dementia can become confused, leading to restless or repetitive behaviour, which can be very distressing for everyone concerned. They may also seem irritable, tearful or agitated. They may develop other problems such as depression, disturbed sleep, aggression, inappropriate sexual behaviour and incontinence
Top tips for good mental health:
Instead of always focusing on our stresses and worries, we should try to make time to focus on the good times we have and the times where we are surrounded by people that support us and are there for us. Take a moment and think about the times you are most happy, the things in life that make you smile, those are the moments your mental health is at its peak!
The following are some different ways that we can help our mental health be at its peak all the time! These handy hints will not just help your mental health, but also your physical health and general attitude in life!
Talk about your feelings sharing your feelings with others and being listened to can help enormously.
Ask for help Ther are so many people around to help you. You can ask your parents, teachers or doctor to help or transfer you on to someone. And of course you can always contact us.
Keep active physical activity is a proven way to keep mentally well. Exercise makes us feel better immediately through the release of uplifting chemicals into our bodies.
Eat well a balanced diet is really important in maintaining good mental health.There is a direct link between what we eat and how we feel.
Drink sensibly even though it makes us feel good in the short term, alcohol is actually a depressant.Make sure you drink sensibly.
Keep in touch with friends and loved ones they have a huge impact on how we feel daily.
