So what is “good” mental health?

Photo by leandro fregoni on Unsplash

Welcome to 2025!

Welcome to 2025, a new year with a fresh start. If you, like many others, are looking to improve your mental health this year, this blog will outline some ideas to kickstart your year with positivity and purpose.

So, what are the signs of a healthy self?

In measuring mental health, experts use a clinical tool called the The Shedler-Western Assessment Procedure (SWAP) which outlines reliable indicators of good mental health. It’s also a great summary for how we can work on cultivating good mental health in our everyday lives.

If you are experiencing low mood, anxiety, addiction, trauma, grief or other mental health indicators, it’s essential that you reach out for help. Counselling and psychotherapy can provide that extra support you are looking for. But if you’re generally well and looking to improve your mental health, here’s a summary of some of the goals to aim for…

·        You are able to use talents, energy and abilities effectively and productively

·        You take pleasure in accomplishing things and enjoy challenges

·        You are able to maintain a loving and meaningful relationship with caring and genuine intimacy

·        You find joy and meaning in belonging to a larger community (such as a sporting group or church)

·        You express purpose and meaning in mentoring or nurturing others

·        You are empathetic and able to respond to others’ needs and feelings

·        You can assert and communicate your needs appropriately when necessary

·        You enjoy a sense of humour and recognise humour in others

·        You are able to tolerate information which is emotionally threatening, or challenges your own beliefs and are able

to learn and benefit from it

·        You are able to come to terms with past painful experiences and learn and grow from the situation

·        You are able to articulate who you are

·        You have an active and satisfying sex life

·        You are comfortable with social situations

·        You are generally content with and enjoy life’s activities

·        You are able to express your feelings in a healthy way which is proportionate to the intensity of the situation

·        You are able to acknowledge and tolerate alternative viewpoints, even if they clash with your own beliefs

·        You live up to your moral standards and ethical beliefs

·        You are creative and able to problem solve in novel ways

·        You are responsible and conscientious

·        You are outgoing and energetic

·        You are insightful and able to understand the subtleties and sophistication of yourself and others

·        You are able to pursue and find meaning in long-term goals and ambitions

·        You are able to form close and lasting friendships though the sharing of experiences and mutual support

If you feel you are lacking in some of these areas, don’t feel disheartened. We are all human, nobody is perfect and achieving balance can be a life-long journey. For a proactive and positive mental health journey start small and pick just one thing to focus on at a time.

It’s also time to get curious. Have you been making excuses or putting up barriers? Are you feeling guilty for putting your needs ahead of others? Reflecting on this can be helpful in identifying where you have been placing your energy, and how you can realign things to address the balance. Yes, times are tough, we are all busy and family comes first, but everyone can find one hour a week for some well-deserved self-focus. Honouring yourself is the greatest tool in your positive mental health kit.