How can we improve our mental health?

We all know that mental health is important. Quite often, when people think about mental health, it is often associated with the need for psychological treatment. However, the Global Mental Health Network are here to challenge this and emphasize that mental health is more than that.

What is the Global Mental Health Network?

The network is a space for a collaborators to discuss global mental health from an interdisciplinary perspective. 

What do you think mental health is?

It is a relationship between yourself, others, and your environment. That means it is not just a medical definition or a diagnosis. Much of our mental health is influenced by our wider environments and contexts. 

Do you need a diagnosis to focus on your mental health?

No, you do not need a diagnosis to focus on your mental health! And while supporting good mental health can mean promoting healthy coping skills or emotional management, it also means working with others to create healthy relationships. It means developing a culture of empathy and support within your community. And it also means working together to build a more just and caring environment, where we can help alleviate social problems like poverty that contribute so strongly to poor mental health. 

Whats your main takeaway for Mental Health Awareness week?

It’s important to remember that mental health is about collective community! We are not just individuals, but members of a bigger community. We should continue to promote positive social change, communicate well with one another, and have empathy within our communities.