Mental Health vs' Mental Illness

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(No Transcript)
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Mental Health vs. Mental Illness

• Having good mental health is about more than not
  being mentally ill, just like being in good
  physical health is about more than not having a
  physical illness.

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What is Good Mental Health?

• Key characteristics of having good mental health
  include being able to
• Enjoy life and feel good about yourself
• Cope with the many challenges in life
• Bounce back after a major set back or challenge
• Balance the many aspects of your life.

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• The following slides identify some ways that you
  can work on improving your mental health and
  well-being...

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For Better Mental Health

• True or False?
• Negative thoughts about ourselves are often very
  accurate perceptions of what we are really like.

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For Better Mental Health

• FALSE.
• Negative thoughts are often inaccurate
  perceptions of how we view ourselves and the
  world around us.
• Learn how to challenge these thoughts with more
  realistic thinking about yourself or the
  situation.

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Examples of Realistic Thinking
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For Better Mental Health

• For more examples of Realistic Thinking, read
  the brochure from the Keep Health In Mind
  Wellness Initiative titled
• Understanding Anxiety and Depression.

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For Better Mental Health

• True or False?
• Accepting support from family and friends is
  more importantthan giving support to them.

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For Better Mental Health

• FALSE.
• Accepting AND giving support are both very
  important in building your mental health.

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Accepting and Giving Support

• A key factor in building and maintaining positive
  relationships is recognizing the give and take
  that is needed.

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Accepting and Giving Support

• Sometimes, it is you who should accept support
  in a relationship.
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• Examples
• Your partner or close friend asks about how your
  day went and listens as you describe it. This
  helps you relieve stress.
• Your friend offers to baby sit your children
  while you and your partner go out for dinner.

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Accepting and Giving Support

• At other times, it is you who should give
  support in a relationship.
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• Examples
• You offer to listen to your partner describe
  their stressful day.
• You offer to baby sit your friends children
  while they go out for dinner.

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Giving Support by Volunteering

• Another way to give support is by volunteering
  in a community organization or in your
  neighbourhood.
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• This can do wonders for your mental health. By
  helping others, you feel good about yourself and
  you can widen your own support network to help
  bring more balance to your life.

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For Better Mental Health

• True or False?
• Regular physical activity can improve
  psychological well-being.

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Regular Physical Activity

• TRUE.
• During physical activity, our brain produces
  endorphins, or chemicals that provide relief
  from high stress levels. The good news is that
  high intensity activity is not required to
  experience this relief.
• Regular physical activity can also reduce the
  symptoms of depression and anxiety.

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For Better Mental Health

• Final Thoughts
• Learn ways to treat yourself well.

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Treating Yourself Well

• Understand what gives meaning to your life that
  helps you reach your full potential.
• For many, this includes practicing a particular
  faith or spirituality.

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Treating Yourself Well

• Find out what truly makes you happy, including
  simple pleasures that bring joy to your life.
• Examples
• Cooking a great meal for yourself and a friend
• Sitting in the park and breathing in the
  fragrance of flowers and grass
• Contacting a friend that you havent talked to
  in ages
• Going for a hike in the woods.

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Website Resources

• Canadian Mental Health Association. (n.d.).
  Meaning of mental health. Retrieved May 1, 2006,
  from
• http//www.cmha.ca/bins/content_page.asp?cid2-267
  -1319lang1
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• Canadian Mental Health Association. (n.d.).
  Mental fitness tips. Retrieved May 1, 2006, from
• http//www.cmha.ca/bins/content_page.asp?cid2-267
  -353lang1

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Other Resources

• Latest HealthIssues newsletter
• Keep Health In Mind
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• Latest brochure
• Understanding Anxiety and Depression
• Other electronic presentation
• When Someone You Know has a Mental Illness

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• Windsor-Essex County
• Health Unit
• 360 Fairview Ave. West, Suite 215
• Essex, Ontario N8M 3G4
• 519-258-2146 x 3100
• www.wechealthunit.org
• Windsor Office
• 1005 Ouellette Avenue, Windsor, Ontario N9A 4J8
• Leamington Office
• 215 Talbot Street East, Leamington, Ontario N8H
  3X5