What is Mental Health?

What is Mental Health?

Many people ask me, “What is mental health?” This is a questionnaire that I use both to answer that question and to help clients set goals for their work with me. Someone who is considered mentally healthy is

  1. Able to use his/her talents, abilities and energy effectively and productively.
  2. Enjoys challenges; takes pleasure in accomplishing things.
  3. Is capable of sustaining a meaningful love relationship characterized by genuine intimacy and caring.
  4. Finds meaning in belonging and contributing to a larger community (organization, church, neighborhood).
  5. Is able to find meaning and fulfillment in guiding, mentoring, or nurturing others.
  6. Is empathic; is sensitive and responsive to other people’s needs and feelings.
  7. Is able to assert his/herself effectively and appropriately when necessary.
  8. Appreciates and responds to humor.
  9. Is capable of hearing information that is emotionally threatening (that challenges cherished beliefs, perceptions, and self-perceptions) and can use and benefit from it
  10. Appears to have come to terms with painful experiences from the past; has found meaning in and grown from such experiences
  11. Is articulate; can express self well in words
  12. Has an active and satisfying sex life
  13. Appears comfortable and at ease in social situations
  14. Generally finds contentment and happiness in life’s activities
  15. Tends to express affect appropriate in quality and intensity to the situation at hand
  16. Has the capacity to recognize alternative viewpoints, even in matters that stir up strong feelings
  17. Has moral and ethical standards and strives to live up to them
  18. Is creative; is able to see things or approach problems in novel ways
  19. Tends to be conscientious and responsible
  20. Tends to be energetic and outgoing
  21. Is psychologically insightful; is able to understand self and others in subtle and sophisticated ways
  22. Is able to find meaning and satisfaction in the pursuit of long-term goals and ambitions
  23. Is able to form close and lasting friendships characterized by mutual support and sharing of experience.
Shedler, J. & Westen, D. (2007). The Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP). Making personality diagnosis clinically meaningful. Journal of Personality Assessment, 89, 41-55.
Does this list give you any ideas for new goals for your life? If so, I’d love to help you attain them.  Please call me at 404.518.0828. . . Dr. Sharman Colosetti