Making the Connection :
Emotional Wellness and Mental Health
PATRICIA TALLON , RD , CDE | ARTA Wellness Consultant and Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan Health Advisor
Emotional wellness , as it was defined in the autumn 2016 edition of ARTA news & views , is “ the ability to cope with challenges , manage stress and engage in positive , respectful interactions with others .” Each dimension of wellness is interdependent and closely tied to the others . Experiencing less than ideal wellness in one area can impact another .
One important aspect of emotional wellness is mental health . The Government of Canada ’ s report The Human Face of Mental Health and Mental Illness in Canada ( 2006 ) defines mental health as “ the capacity of each and all of us to feel , think , and act in ways that enhance our ability to enjoy life and deal with the challenges we face . It is a positive sense of emotional and spiritual well-being that respects the importance of culture , equity , social justice , interconnections and personal dignity .” Having good mental health helps us to feel empowered to get through
challenging life situations and transitions . Mental illness is defined by the same Government of Canada report as " changes in thinking , mood or behaviour ( or a combination of these ) that result in reduced functioning and substantial distress ." It is important to note that the symptoms of mental illness can differ from mild to severe and that there are a number of different types of mental illness .
The Canadian Mental Health Association ’ s resource Mental Health for Life ( 2014 ) promotes the concept that mental health means more than the absence of mental illness . Someone who lives with mental illness can thrive and experience good emotional health . At the same time , someone without mental illness can experience poor emotional health . The Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division ’ s resource " Tips for Good Mental Health " ( 2012 ) suggests a number of ways to promote good mental health :
Take time for self-care . Self-care activities are the pursuits that you enjoy and find pleasure in doing . Often , when experiencing stress , these activities are the first to fall by the wayside . At the same time , self-care activities often help us to manage stress . Some examples may include going to a greenhouse , taking a bubble bath , reading a book , having a massage , going to bed earlier or going fishing . Try making a list of things you enjoy and aim to do one of them each day .
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