The Strength in Mental Wellness

"Mental Health" brings to mind different things for different people.

For many playing word-association with this month's focus on awareness and wellbeing, mental illness comes to mind. We think of anxiety and depression, something many of us have faced ourselves; we think of family members who have struggled with OCD and phobias; we think of celebrities like Selena Gomez, who spoke openly and bravely about her experiences with bipolar disorder and psychosis. Mental illness, and how we manage it, is an important part of mental health - but it's far from the whole picture.

As a clinical social worker with over a decade of helping others, I talk about mental health a lot. That includes mental illness, of course, but there's more to the story than just what's going wrong. Even when we feel good and have no diagnoses, we still have mental health! Our mental health includes our coping skills, our support systems, our hobbies and our outlook on life.  We call these strengths - the things we have going for us, that improve our wellness and mental health. 

Strengths are important no matter your situation. For a person just starting to feel anxiety, having a good friend and self-care can make the difference between letting go and anxiety becoming a chronic issue. For a person with lifelong depression, a resilient outlook and strong coping skills can make things much, much more manageable. Knowing your strengths (or being open to finding them) can make a big impact on your overall wellness.

So how do we find our strengths? Unfortunately, our brains are hard-wired to remember bad things, so we need to put some effort into recognizing the good. Positive feelings are fleeting. The next time you feel happy, proud, content, or relieved, take a deep breath and enjoy that feeling. Then ask, "What made me feel so good just now?" Spare a moment of gratitude to whatever it is with another deep breath. That feeling (and practice noticing the feeling) is a strength. 

I look to three things to find my strengths: Achievement, Fun, and Support. Try writing these three words on a sheet of paper. Under Achievement, list all the things you can think of that have made you feel successful, proud, accomplished, and capable. These might be times we've helped others, times we've been thanked for hard work, and projects we've completed. Under Fun, list everything you do for relaxation and enjoyment. These may be hobbies, music we like, wellness practices like yoga or exercise, reading, tv, or games. Under Support, list the people in your life who support you in some way. These may be best friends you can share everything with, coworkers who help you on the job, even the person you run into once in a blue moon who gives you great advice. Take a moment to look over your work and appreciate the things that help you to feel good being you! These are some of your strengths, too.

This Mental Health Awareness month, I encourage you to try this exercise and share your strengths with others. Start a conversation with your friend about things they're good at; talk to a loved one about what helps them relax and unwind; reach out to someone to offer (or receive) support. Share the good word about mental health: our strengths help make us great!