APPRECIATING GOOD MENTAL HEALTH
By Lim Hui Jun
Before we can appreciate good mental health, it is first necessary to explore what mental health is and isn’t, starting with the latter.
Mental Health Isn’t
A common misunderstanding of mental health is the interchangeable use of the term ‘mental illness’. While mental illness is assumed as the presence of psychopathologies, like depression and anxiety, mental health then becomes the absence of these disorders or diseases. This assumption misrepresents the experiences of distraught individuals and can perpetuate poor mental health.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention plainly states that “although the terms are often used interchangeably, poor mental health and mental illness are not the same. A person can experience poor mental health and not be diagnosed with a mental illness. Likewise, a person diagnosed with a mental illness can experience periods of physical, mental, and social well-being.” 1
As such, anyone can experience poor mental health, and everyone can enjoy good mental health, including those living with mental illnesses.
Mental Health Is
Mental health is defined as “a state of well-being in which an individual realises his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and can make a contribution to his or her community.” 2 There is much to unpack from this general definition, which is a topic to tackle for another time. Essentially, mental health: (1) includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, (2) affects how we think, feel, and act, (3) helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices, and (4) is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. 1
Good Mental Health
Of all the possible terms to describe mental health, such as positive, flourishing, and thriving, we will use the term ‘good’ simply because “God saw all that he had made, including our mental makeup, and it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31, NIV)
Good mental health is characterised by a person’s ability to fulfil a number of key functions and activities, including the ability to (1) learn, (2) feel, express and manage a range of positive and negative emotions, (3) form and maintain good relationships with others, and (4) cope with and manage change and uncertainty. 3
While we generally learn to spot red flags for poor mental health, how can we notice good mental health in everyday life? Straightforward actions such as praying at mealtimes, laughing at comedy-dramas or crying while watching that K-drama, adapting to work from home, tackling that new app installed on the device, staying in touch with family or friends virtually or through a phone call, and undertaking Bible study as a couple or family, to name a few. The more subtle signs could include a tired smile, a simple home-cooked meal, finished homework, assignment or project, and a goodnight’s rest. These are clear evidence of the hand of God at work in preserving and safeguarding our mental health, and in some ways, giving us a taste of heavenly joy.
Nonetheless, when the demands placed on a person exceed their resources and coping abilities, their mental health could be impacted. For example, if someone is fighting COVID-19, experiencing economic hardship, losing a loved one, parenting alone or working long hours without breaks in between, they may spiral down towards poor mental health.
It is imperative to remember that a person’s mental health is dynamic. It can change from poor to good and vice versa over time. More so when support is enlisted or withdrawn at any given moment.
Regaining Good Mental Health
Moving from poor to good mental health requires not Googling but courage. Courage to step forth and reach out. Reach out to people first and foremost. Information and interventions can come next.
Reach out to a friend and talk. “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labour: If either of them falls, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12a, NIV)
Together with that friend, reach out to the person of Jesus Christ who is with you and talk to Him. “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12b, NIV)
Preserving Good Mental Health
Let us consider for a moment a widely-used technique by professional counsellors and therapists in improving mental health and a classic Sunday School activity.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), an evidence-based psychosocial intervention, is based on the proposition that how we think, feel and act all interact together. Specifically, modifying our thoughts, which includes assumptions and interpretations, can change our feelings and behaviour.
In Romans 12:2, Paul urges us to be transformed from the inside out. Specifically, we must change how we think to have our minds renewed so that we can begin to understand God’s good, pleasing and perfect will for our lives. Sounds familiar?
Both the secular and biblical perspectives meet at this common ground. Our thought life matters to enjoy good mental health, which leads us to an activity a Sunday school child may like very much or detest – memory verses.
As young as two years old, children journey towards good mental health by memorising Scriptures, such as John 3:16, Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:9, and Proverbs 3:5. We believe that the Word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). We believe that all Scripture trains us in godly living (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Essentially, God’s Word or memory verses will accomplish what He desires and achieve the purpose for which He sent it, including the renewal of our mind.
So, a question that begs our attention is, “are we memorising or perhaps re-memorising Bible verses when we become adults for them to take root and guard our minds against lies, deceptions, and false accusations?” Or, is memory verses merely a Sunday school activity for children? Imagine a national memory verse challenge for adults, including pre-believing participants who love memory games.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8, NIV)
Therefore, take time to notice good mental health around you and always thank the Prince of Peace who guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
References
1 https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm
2 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response
3 https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health/about-mental-health/what-good-mental-health
TIPS FOR HAVING A CONVERSATION
Should I talk?
Consider these four reasons.
- For support and understanding
- To connect with others with similar experiences
- To help you figure out what to do about how you’re feeling, thinking or behaving
- To ease the burden of keeping it a secret
If you decide to talk, be prepared.
- Find the right person to talk with who is likely to be understanding. This might be someone you are close with or someone more removed from your life, such as a health professional.
- Be gentle with yourself and take it slowly.
- Accept that people will react and respond in different ways.
- If people are not helpful in their reaction, this is a reflection of their lack of understanding.
What if I get a bad reaction?
An adverse reaction can be challenging to cope with, but if you feel able to, talk with them about their reaction and how it affects you. Let them know what would be more helpful.
Try to accept that it may take time for them to fully understand what you are going through, which some people may never understand.
Talk to someone else to get the support you need.
What if I feel like I have no one to talk to?
Instead of “wailing on your bed” or “hiding yourself in secret places”, find your words and communicate your needs to the great High Priest. Cry out to Him from your heart, for He cares for you.
Think about the people around you. Is there someone who has shown you support in the past? Is there someone more removed from your life that has had a similar experience? You might be surprised to find there are people out there ready and willing to support you.
The above tips for having a conversation are adapted from http://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/have-the-conversation/talk-about-it
About Lim Hui Jun
As a fellow sojourner, Hui Jun enjoys cheering people on at pit stops. Her BIG dream in getting a PhD in Psychology has led her to dream small – loving others well one day at a time. She is known as a Google Sheets fanatic and her love for Korean food.
