Personal & Social
Mental Health
Includes our 1) emotional well-being, 2) psychological well-being, and 3) social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
What is the difference between mental health and mental illness?
Mental illnesses are conditions that affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood or behavior, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. Such conditions may be occasional or long-lasting (chronic) and affect someone’s ability to relate to others and function each day. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, poor mental health and mental illness are not the same things. 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.
How to take care of your mental health:
Talk about your feelings. Talking about your feelings can help you stay in good mental health and deal with times when you feel troubled.
Keep active. Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and can help you concentrate, sleep, and feel better. Exercise keeps the brain and your other vital organs healthy, and is also a significant benefit towards improving your mental health.
Eat well. Your brain needs a mix of nutrients in order to stay healthy and function well, just like the other organs in your body. A diet that’s good for your physical health is also good for your mental health.
Keep in touch-There’s nothing better than catching up with someone face to face, but that’s not always possible. You can also give them a call, drop them a note, or chat to them online instead. Keep the lines of communication open: it’s good for you!
Ask for help. None of us are superhuman. We all sometimes get tired or overwhelmed by how we feel or when things don’t go to plan. If things are getting too much for you and you feel you can’t cope, ask for help. Your family or friends may be able to offer practical help or a listening ear. Local services are there to help you.
Take a break-A change of scene or a change of pace is good for your mental health.It could be a five-minute pause from cleaning your kitchen, a half-hour lunch break at work, or a weekend exploring somewhere new. A few minutes can be enough to de-stress you. Give yourself some ‘me time’.
Do something you're good at-What do you love doing? What activities can you lose yourself in? What did you love doing in the past? Enjoying yourself can help beat stress. Doing an activity you enjoy probably means you’re good at it, and achieving something boosts your self-esteem
Accept who you are- We’re all different. It’s much healthier to accept that you’re unique than to wish you were more like someone else. Feeling good about yourself boosts your confidence to learn new skills, visit new places and make new friends. Good self-esteem helps you cope when life takes a difficult turn.
Care for others-Friends are really important… We help each other whenever we can, so it’s a two-way street, and supporting them uplifts me.
What is Depression?
Click HERE to learn more about the symptoms, causes, treatment, etc.
Click on the image below to see a short video on how depression works in the brain.
Drug & Alcohol Addiction Rehab, Treatment, and Recovery Resources in North Dakota
Community Outreach created a guide that provides comprehensive information on topics related to addiction rehab and treatment, available care options, financial support, and free resources that are available in North Dakota.
Click here: https://www.help.org/drug-and-alcohol-rehab-centers-in-north-dakota/
Getting Help: Community Providers for our Region
Click on the link above for a list of counseling services, crisis lines, substance-use treatment, mental health doctors/medical services, and other miscellaneous services.
North Dakota LGBTQ Support Group Resource
Ed Wentworth, 7-12 Counselor, Office 3rd floor, Rm 326, 701-742-3234 ext.326
Email: ed.wentworth@k12.nd.us