“A sick thought can devour the body's flesh more than fever or consumption.” - Guy de Maupassant
Eighth grade health class was when I was first educated about physical and mental fitness. Up until then, mental health never seemed important. It was difficult to image what mental well being was because unlike physical fitness, it’s a bit more complex to put a face on being mentally fit. When many of us think about being fit and try to visualize what it means to fit, we instantly imagine toned arms, legs, and four to eight pack abs, lifting weights, running around everywhere, doing the most odd looking exercises. It’s a bit more hazy when it comes to mental well being. How can you tell just by looking at a person and determine their mental health? Many mental disorders are visible, however, many are imperceptible.
Mental and physical well being appear to be two separate entities but in actuality they are interdependent and correlated to one another. The common misconception is that people are born with a mental disorder; something they lack in their biological makeup that caused the defect, and there is nothing one can do to heal except take medications to counteract side effects. However, the reality is that mental illnesses can be induced by external effects such as stress, or the things we consume, for example, drugs and alcohol. The relationship between mental and physical health is much like the relationship between the chicken and the egg. Although uncertain which came first, the way we were born plays role in our mental state while the way we think can shape our physical appearance.
Mental and physical health are fundamental components; what can one possibly accomplish when they are too busy trying to sustain life? To advocate a more just society, there has to be mental and physical stability or at least efforts to become mentally and physically stable; both involved on an individual (micro) and international (macro) level. So how exactly do you address an issue on both a micro and macro level? The answer is: the internet. Billions of people have access to the internet making it possible to spread awareness to billions of users. The Canadian Mental Health Association, Help Guide, and The Mental Health America sites are a few websites that advocate and raise awareness on mental health.
Mental and physical well being appear to be two separate entities but in actuality they are interdependent and correlated to one another. The common misconception is that people are born with a mental disorder; something they lack in their biological makeup that caused the defect, and there is nothing one can do to heal except take medications to counteract side effects. However, the reality is that mental illnesses can be induced by external effects such as stress, or the things we consume, for example, drugs and alcohol. The relationship between mental and physical health is much like the relationship between the chicken and the egg. Although uncertain which came first, the way we were born plays role in our mental state while the way we think can shape our physical appearance.
Mental and physical health are fundamental components; what can one possibly accomplish when they are too busy trying to sustain life? To advocate a more just society, there has to be mental and physical stability or at least efforts to become mentally and physically stable; both involved on an individual (micro) and international (macro) level. So how exactly do you address an issue on both a micro and macro level? The answer is: the internet. Billions of people have access to the internet making it possible to spread awareness to billions of users. The Canadian Mental Health Association, Help Guide, and The Mental Health America sites are a few websites that advocate and raise awareness on mental health.
The Canadian Mental Health Association is one of Canada’s oldest voluntary organizations that seek to provide services that will improve mental health.
“CMHA’s programs assist with employment, housing, early intervention for youth, peer support, recreation services for people with mental illness, stress reduction workshops and public education campaigns for the community.” Experts believe that psychology and the studies of the human mind were not popular until the late 1800’s, early 1900’s. The Canadian Mental Health Association was first established as the Canadian National Committee for Mental Hygiene in 1918. From the beginning of the mental health/behavioral studies, the CMHA has proven credibility through the longevity of the organization itself. It is said that there are approximately 100,000 Canadians who are directly provided support through the combined efforts of over 10,000 volunteers who reside over 120 communities. The format of the website is in a way so that participation is open to everyone. People can choose to donate, follow up on news and events, order pamphlets, etc. They have a tab that says, "Get Involved". The way the CMHA website addresses the topic of mental health is through a pragmatical approach. Rather than focusing on the certain types of mental illnesses, they explain three ways to improve mental health: physical exercise, eating healthy foods, and taking control of stress. All three methods are elaborated on how they correlate with mental health and what we can do to follow these three steps. Physical activities help to alleviate depression, anxiety, counteract withdrawal, improve self-esteem, and brings people into positive environments. Our brain produces natural painkillers known as endorphin's which, “Relieve pain, enhance the immune system, reduce stress, and delay the aging process". Furthermore, mental health is improved and stabilized through healthy dieting. By consisting our diet on fresh fruits and vegetables, foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, and whole grains, we are more likely to optimize our brain functions. Lastly, taking control of stress is argued to be an essential in mental health. Stress is defined as, “Any change that we have to adapt to.” Much like any problem in life, we must first acknowledge and recognize the source of our stress. A lot of our stress is said to derive from within us; our interpretations, self-criticism, self-loathing, pessimism, over-analyzing, and stigmas we attach. When we are unable to control our stress, we experience decreased concentration and memory, confusion, loss of sense of humor, anxiety, anger, irritability, and fear. Stress is inevitable and most would perceive it to be a completely negative thing, however, can be beneficial in moderation. They abut their argument with the claim that, “Short episodes of stress trigger chemicals that improve memory, increase energy levels and enhance alertness and productivity.” To counteract the negative effects of stress, they suggest: meditation, setting realistic goals, exercise, enjoy favorite hobbies, visualize success, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and talk about your stressors. |
The Help Guide is a non-profit resource that provides expert opinions to help resolve health challenges. This website discusses many mental and emotional issues, while incorporating numerous healthy lifestyles and the influence of family. Most of the website’s founder’s and co publishers have some background in the psychological and health field. Additionally, they collaborate with Harvard Health Publications, which ultimately creates a sense of ethos. For managing director Robert Segal, and editorial director Jeanne Segal, their affiliation with mental health creates a pathos appeal. Married for over fifty years, the couple lost their daughter Morgan Leslie Segal in 1996, at the age of 29 to suicide. The purpose of this website came from the belief that, “Morgan’s tragedy could have been avoided if she had access to unbiased, reliable information that gave her a sense of hope and direction [and] Since then, this website has grown from a small local project to one of the world’s largest, most highly regarded mental health websites with over 65 million visits in 2013.”
The main focus of the help guide is to define what it means to be mentally healthy. They make the argument that, “Good mental health isn't just the absence of mental health problems.” The main components of being mentally and emotionally healthy consists of: having a sense of contentment, ability to laugh and have fun, ability to deal with stress and overcome adversity, having a sense of meaning and purpose, capability to learn new things, being able to adapt, being able to create a sense of balance, build and maintain fulfilling relationships, and last but not least, building self-confidence and self-esteem. Nelson Mandela argued, “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” The Help Guide emphasizes that resilience is crucial to mental health. As argued through the CHMA, stress is inevitable and being mentally fit does not mean living a stress free life. The key is to be able to adapt, cope, and be optimistic. Similar to the CHMA website, the Help Guide also addresses the positive effects of good nutrition and exercise, however, the Help Guide also argues getting enough rest, getting a dose of sunlight daily, limiting alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs are also crucial components to mental health. To further improve mental health, the Help Guide centralizes on the self; paying attention to our own needs and desires. Several ways that we are able to support ourselves is by positively impacting others, practicing self-discipline, learn/discover new things, enjoy the beauty of nature/art, and limit unhealthy mental habits such as worrying. That’s not all. To kick it up a notch, they suggest engaging in meaningful work, getting a pet, making leisure time a priority, creating time for contemplation/appreciation, and use/appeal to our senses— smell, taste, touch, hear, and see. Mental health is emphasized on a micro/individual level. The Help Guide validates that mental fitness components will differ for everyone because each individual is different. Factors that they believe to compromise mental and emotional health are poor relationships with our primary caretakers— mothers, fathers, baby sitters (mostly throughout early childhood), traumas, losses, learned helplessness, illness, side effects of medications, and substance abuse. The attitude on mental health is set upon the rationality that internal and external; nature and nurture both simultaneously shape mental health. Despite the way we are born and the way that we grow up, there is hope and counteraction. They argue a crucial point that nothing is definite, but nor is anything permanent. |
"The Mental Health America website was founded in 1909, and is,“The nation’s leading community-based network dedicated to helping all Americans achieve wellness by living mentally healthier lives.” Ethos lies in the fact that this organization consists of 240 affiliates across the country, and involves the lives of millions. Together, they work to advocate changes in policy making while educating the public, providing critical information, and delivering mental health programs and services. Their belief is that, "Every person can achieve wellness—whether that means staying well or getting well."
Unlike the CMHA and Help Guide, the MHA seeks to influence the legislature for all of United States. The life of an average American differs from the lives of any other individual around the world. We live in a country where everything is, “Fast paced, 24/7 culture. . . more stress. . . extended hours or multiple jobs, and take less vacation days. . . The line between work and home life is often blurred, so home is no longer a place of rest. Sleep and exercise feel like luxuries. We are eating poorly more often. We are constantly bombarded with information. We are also more disconnected from family, friends and neighbors, and less engaged in our communities than we used to be. Trust in one another has steadily declined over the last 30 years.” All of these external components are threats to our mental wellbeing, and causing internal chronic mental disease. The intended audience for this website are Americans and ideally every American. It is ultimately the citizens of the United States who are involved and effect by policies and laws that the MHA urge for. The message itself explains that,“Good mental health is fundamental to the health and well-being of every person and of the nation as a whole.” The website is addressed at a macro level but yet interestingly through a way that macro level can only be accomplish through each individual (micro level). The MHA website is very goal oriented. They precisely state their agenda— how to protect and improve mental health, abundant resources for mental health aid, high quality/ affordable/ personalized services, support, and more research as well as services that focus on prevention, recovery, and cures. As a means to bring to light the importance of mental health, MHA not only has sub links to follow on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest, but also the option to translate the page in six other languages. These settings prove a lot about the intended audience; The United States is extremely diverse. Furthermore, users can subscribe to this website and view the calendar for the latest news, events, and policy updates, to directly engage with this organization. Although the MHA has many subpages, including definitions of specific mental illnesses and taking a quick test to see how likely we are experiencing symptoms of mental health conditions, much of the website is centralized on joining the cause, and policy of mental health. |
At one point in our lives, most of us will attempt to improve our physical health; aspirations to become a bikini model, macho man or what not. Truth is we need to focus just as much, if not more, on our mental health. Mental health is just important as physical health. All three websites address the importance of mental health through the use of rhetorics, and work to raise awareness on a topic that affects us all.
Denny Morrison is Chief Clinical Officer for Netsmart, "the leading provider of clinical solutions for health and human services organizations nationwide." Previously he has served as the CEO of the Center for Behavior Health in Bloomington, Indiana. Morrison has been in the behavioral health field since 1969. In this video, Morrison discusses the stigma of being mentally ill, the importance of mental health in correlation to physical health, and social views of mental illnesses.
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The prezi above is about physical health. Not only does our physical well being literally make up our physiological makeup, but also affects the way society treats. Ultimately, the way others act toward us influences each individuals mental health; ego, self esteem, and confidence.
-Esther Oh
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