Learn the facts about mental health and spread accurate information that helps to decrease stigma and promote understanding. This is especially important because, at its worst, stigma can stop people with mental illnesses from getting the help they need.
Learn your family’s medical history. It may be helpful for health-care professionals to know about illnesses and treatments of other family members.
Learn about the many community resources available, such as help lines that you can call if you or a loved one is experiencing mental health concerns or substance abuse and dependency problems. Do call before a crisis develops.
Learn to take control of your own life and health. Try not to let your environment control you. If you feel like a hostage in a bad relationship or workplace, seek help in developing a plan to change your situation for the better.
Learn to say “no” to outside demands when you are feeling overextended or overly stressed.
Learn to trust your ability to make decisions and choices that are best for your health, like seeing a health professional early if you have concerns.
Learn to eat the best foods for optimal physical and mental health. A balanced diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits and one limiting processed or junk foods, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol will allow your body and brain to run at an optimal level.
Learn to accept yourself. It’s not always easy, but try not to compare yourself with other people. If you have suffered or do suffer from a mental illness, be careful about basing your self-acceptance or improvement on what other’s say about your condition.
Learn to be cautious with whom you share information about your health concerns. When you share your medical history with others, you are empowering the recipients to use the information in a detrimental fashion.
Learn to take regular breaks from work, family, and other stressors to allow yourself time to refocus. Ultimately, plan a vacation without the cell phone and laptop and enjoy doing something you really love. At the minimum, take daily mental health breaks where you are totally removed from your responsibilities, if only for a few minutes. Take a walk around the block, for instance, or soak in the tub or spend a few minutes immersed in a good book.
Learn to talk about your concerns. It can be difficult, but talking about a problem before it reaches a crisis can often avert a crisis altogether. If you are concerned about your mental health, don’t think you can “will” yourself better (chances are, you have already tried that). Talk to a trusted professional or family member, and get the help you need.
