Dissecting Mental Health & Wellness

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Mental health is a state defined by your emotional, social, and psychological wellbeing. When referring to "mental health," it is different than "mental illness;" everyone experiences mental health, just as physical health,  but not everyone has a mental health diagnosis. 

 Have you ever heard someone say, “Don’t go out in the cold without a jacket, you’ll get sick”? While being cold doesn't directly cause sickness, there is some truth behind the idea. The mind and body are deeply connected, and caring for one can often mean caring for the other. Our environment and physical wellbeing can affect how our bodies respond to stress. When our body experiences stress, whether from illness, poor sleep, emotional distress, etc., it activates responses that can affect our immune system and overall wellbeing. 

Mental health and wellness hasn't always been viewed in a positive light. While there are still systemic discrepancies and stigmas today, the overall attitude towards mental health and wellness has shifted. The shift from fear and hiding to openness and care over the past few decades has been monumental. This attitude shift has allowed more people to get the care that they need and encourage others to do the same for themselves. While this attitude and the mission towards better care is ever-evolving, it takes a village to encourage more positivity and inclusivity surrounding mental wellness.

Here with the Every Mind Matters Project, we believe that people should be viewed as just that: people. By approaching mental wellness in a holistic, person-first light, we encourage others to embrace who they are rather than diminish themselves into their diagnoses. There is so much more to someone than their psychological struggles, and it is part of the EMMP mission to inspire others to view others, and most importantly themselves, this way. Why? Because you are so much more than a label!

Healing isn't a linear, one-size-fits-all process; healing consists of time, perseverance, and love. One person's method might not work for another, which is why encouraging others to heal in their own (safe!) ways is so important. If you're currently healing, just remember that any step forward is forward; if you're supporting someone, remember that sometimes your ways of healing might not be as effective and that's okay! Being there to care is sometimes all that someone needs, but ensure you listen, whether it be to yourself or someone else.

One misconception is that understanding someone translates to excusing someone's behavior. Understanding, accepting, and loving someone despite mental health challenges is not the same as excusing negative behaviors. Sometimes you may encounter, maybe with yourself or with someone else, something that you classify as 'negative behavior.' Ensure you recognize this, express your concerns, and maintain your boundaries. You do not need to excuse negative behavior in order to understand and support someone through their journey!