Last night, our Young Mental Health Ambassadors contributed their thoughts around the topic of Positive Mental Health, including what it means, how they can foster it and more! Continiue reading to see some of their answers to various questions…
What does positive mental health mean to you?
“Being able to face challenges and overcome problems with ease or confidence”
“For me, it means positive stigma surrounding it and being in a better place than perhaps yesterday. I personally wouldn’t associate it with how healthy someone is or the lack of struggles.”
“Being content in life (feeling the natural ups and downs but generally happy)”
Is there something that makes you feel more mentally positive?
“Meditation and mindfulness, and being amongst nature”
“Spending time with people that give me energy rather than drain it”
“Surrounding yourself around friends and kind-hearted people”
What kind of things (such as activities, people and places) make a difference to your mental health?
“The weather, the environment, my physical health, the people surrounding me”
“Stressors such as chores or finances”
Any support or services that positively impacted your mental health and what made it more memorable?
“I liked how I felt heard”
“Apps like Calm Harm because they are available 24/7 unlike hotlines or people and it makes you feel more responsible for your healing and progress”
“There’s an app called Finch which has helped me feel like I’m being productive even if I have only been able to do basic things like get out of bed and drink water”
Has there been a time when you spoke to a professional and it was a positive, memorable experience?
“I can’t remember a specific scenario, but it has helped when professionals have really validated my emotions and almost given me permission to feel them”
“How they reassured that they were there to help me”
How important do you find peer groups in supporting your mental health and hearing from others’ experiences?
“Social media is a good tool as everyone can access it at any time: I haven’t accessed ones where people talk to each other though.”
“I haven’t used any professional mental health ones but l often use Facebook groups and it’s very validating to hear other people sharing similar stories and providing support as you know you aren’t alone. Similarly with my physical health ones, we understand each other a lot and it can feel good to have a community.”
A big thanks to our Young Mental Health Ambassadors for sharing their thoughts on this topic!