An overview of Mental Health

A mentally healthy person is the one, who is autonomous, feels good about his or her own self, makes a realistic assessment of past, present and future, works towards fulfillment of his or her goals, has a capacity to be playful and creative, has an empathic attitude of love and understanding towards other people, has an understanding and control of his or her emotions, can soothe himself or herself in times of distress and has adequate buoyancy and adaptive coping strategies to sail through various stressors.

In this context, the role of a mental health professional has acquired a new meaning. The psychologist or psychiatrist besides treating abnormal behavior and psychological symptoms must also enable the individual seeking help to move toward mental health. Contemporary psychotherapy and counseling also help to promote mental health in an individual seeking help.