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 Good Mental Health

▣ Function better at work, or at school.

▣ Engage in productive activities.
▣ Cope more effectively with life's difficulties.
▣ Take better care of themselves, physically.
▣ Fulfilling personal relationships.
▣ Ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity.
▣ Emotional growth and resilience.
Good mental health will help you live your life to the fullest.
 Just as we can develop problems
with our physical health, mental
health problems will be experienced
by many of us over the course of our
lives.

One in four people will experience a

mental health problem each year
- 1-2 people in every 100 will
experience a serious mental
health problem such as bipolar
disorder, psychosis or
schizophrenia in their life.

- Anxiety and depression are the

most common problems, with
about 1 in 10 people affected at
any given time.
 Stress
▣ A feeling of emotional or
physical tension.

▣ It can come from any event or

thought that makes you feel
frustrated, angry, or nervous.
 How to Decrease Your Stress
▣ Solve the problem.
▣ Talk about your fears.
▣ Breathe. Relax. Laugh
▣ Have breaks from social media
▣ Appreciate the good things
▣ Live in the here and now
 What is Anxiety?

▣ Anxiety is a feeling of
apprehension or dread that bad
things may happen.

▣ People with anxiety may develop

phobias, panic attacks, or
nervousness that may interfere
with their day to day activities.
UNDERSTANDING THE CONTEXT OF ANXIETY

• Emotional response to real or perceived imminent threat;

FEAR • Associated with surges of autonomic arousal necessary for fight or flight,
thoughts of immediate danger and escape behaviors

• An exaggerated feeling of apprehension, uncertainty, and fear

• Unpleasant state of tension with an anticipation of imminent danger;
ANXIETY • More associated with muscle tension and vigilance in preparation for future
danger and cautious or avoidant behaviors

• Related to a specific situation or a problem

NORMAL • Lasts only as long as the situation or problem
• Proportional to the situation or problem
ANXIETY • Realistic response to a realistic problem or situation
 Symptoms of Anxiety

▣ Sweating
▣ Breathlessness
▣ Racing Heartbeat
▣ Nervousness
▣ Headache
▣ Irritable
▣ Restlessness
▣ Sleep Problems
 Ways to control feelings of anxiety
▣ Accept that you cannot control everything.

▣ Do your best.

▣ Maintain a positive attitude

▣ Learn what triggers your anxiety.

RELAXATION TECHNIQUES

▣ Breathing exercise
▣ Visualization exercises
▣ Muscle relaxation
▣ Counting
▣ Mindfulness

▣ Anxiety exercises may not work for everyone. Practice is

needed. If anxiety symptoms persist despite these exercises, it
would be best to seek professional help
 Sad versus Depression

▣ Acute or short term ▣ Chronic or long term

▣ Normal feeling; Human
emotion
▣ Usually has a trigger
▣ Addressing the trigger
resolves the sadness
▣ Mental illness; abnormal
emotional state
▣ May or may not have a
trigger
▣ Needs treatment
 What is Depression?

- A condition in which a person feels

discouraged, sad, hopeless, unmotivated
or disinterested in life in general.

- It is a medical illness that negatively

affects the way a person thinks, acts or
feel.
 Understanding Depression

▣ Depression is a medical condition that needs to be treated.

▣ Depression affect a persons mood, thoughts and
behaviour.
▣ Depression changes the way a person think, feels and act.
▣ Depression can seriously affect a persons life and the lives
of others.
 Epidemiology of Depression

▣ Depression can affect anyone.

▣ It affects people of all ages, including children and adolescents.
▣ Depression affects both genders, but is slightly more common in women.
▣ Depression affects people from all backgrounds.
▣ Depression can begin suddenly with no apparent reason, while others can be
associated with a life situation.

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 How can you help someone who is depressed?

▣ Offer emotional support, understanding, patience and encouragement.

▣ Talk to him or her and listen carefully.
▣ Never dismiss feelings, but point out realities and offer hope.
▣ Never ignore comments about suicide and report them to your loved ones therapist and doctor.
▣ Invite your loved one for walks, outings and other activities. Keep trying even if they decline,
but don’t push the person to take in too much too soon.
▣ Provide assistance in going to doctors appointment.
▣ Remind your loved one that with time and treatment, the depression will lift.
How to manage Depression and Anxiety?
Medications

▣ Nausea and Vomiting

▣ Weight Gain
▣ Diarrhea
▣ Sleepiness
▣ Sexual Problems
Talk Therapy

▣ Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

▣ Interpersonal Therapy
▣ Problem Solving Therapy
▣ Social Skills Therapy
▣ Supportive counselling
▣ Psychodynamic Therapy
Tips for having a Good Mental Health

▣ “Collect” positive emotional moments

▣ Learn how to cope with negative
thoughts
▣ Forgive yourself and others 
▣ Manage stress
▣ Find strength in numbers and accept
support.
5 Ways to Well being
What is Resilience?

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 Take care of
yourself Be
optimistic

Establish a
Routine TIPS TO Practice
BUILD Mindfulness
RESILIENCE
Focus on
Gratitude
Focus on
things you can
Maintain control.
Connections
 People who have
self-compassion
Are happier, more
optimistic and
Less likely to be
depressed or anxious.
Summary for Self Care
▣ Stay focused on the here and now, avoid thinking too far into the future,
and take ONE-STEP AT A TIME
▣ ENGAGE AND STAY CONNECTED to friends, family and support
networks
▣ Thoughts are thoughts, not necessarily facts. BE ALERT TO NEGATIVE
THOUGHTS and don’t give them power
▣ Treat people with KINDNESS, support others through this time of
uncertainty
▣ Limit information and time on UNHELPFUL MEDIA. Constant exposure
to anxiety fueling stories drive panic and uncertainty
▣ Good sleep, eating well and exercise are the keys to good PHYSICAL
HEALTH which is critical for healthy mind.
▣ Seek help if you are concerned about yourself or others. SEEK GOD AND
SEEK HELP

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Thank You for Listening!

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