Dr. Amit Abraham
Associate Professor & Head
Post Graduate Department of Psychology
St. John’s College
Agra – 282 002
Importance of Mental Health If you want to develop into a healthy individual, it is very important to have a good mental health. Mental health can be broadly defined as a psychological state of well-being, characterized by continuing personal growth, a sense of purpose in life, self-acceptance, and positive relations with others. In short, it is our attitude towards life and our psychological, environmental, genetic, or physiological factors that has a profound effect on our overall mental development.
Some Factors Influencing Mental Health Ones mental health has a huge impact on every aspect of life. A person with a good mental health is always appreciative of achievements and readily accepts his shortcomings. On the other hand, if one does not have a good mental health it can lead to feelings of inferiority. Such a person devalues his own self, forming a negative image of his body. He can harbor intense feelings of self-hate, anger, disgust, and uselessness. Such feelings can transform into extreme depression, psychosocial disorders, or eating disorders – many of which we will discuss further in the series. Mental health also effects education. Good mental health assures an all-round educational experience that enhances social and intellectual skills leading to self-confidence and better grades. People who lack good mental health generally tend to isolate themselves developing anxiety disorders and concentration problems. Relationships are also affected by ones mental health because the functioning of relationships is based on it. If one is not mentally healthy, his interactions with family, friends, and colleagues may not be positively oriented. They will find it difficult to nurture relationships and face problems with commitment or intimacy, frequently also