Provided by the American Mental Health Counselors Association
In observance of National Mental Health Counseling Week, we propose the
following as some of the basic characteristics of good mental health.
First, good mental health includes the concept of courage, which means being
willing to take action in the face of perceived danger. The wise use of courage
implies a distinction between struggling to go beyond fear and behaving fool
heartedly. “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.” The Diary of
Anais Nin, volume 3, 1939-1944.
Next, integrity is also a basic characteristic of good mental health and
involves the concept of matching words and deeds. Are the actions you
take consistent with what you truly believe? Others may not agree with
your beliefs or behaviors, but good mental health requires being true to
yourself by following your words with consistent activities. “Nothing is at
last sacred but the integrity of your own mind. ” Ralph Waldo Emerson
(1803 - 1882).
Third, another basic characteristic of good mental health is the
characteristic of tenacity. Tenacity means that an individual is able to
focus on a selected task without allowing distractions or procrastination to
interrupt or delay. With tenacity, the satisfaction of accomplishment
becomes a frequent experience. “Let me tell you the secret that has led
me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity.” Louis Pasteur (1822 -
1895).
Another characteristic of good mental health is being an inspiration to others.
Those whose attitude reflects a positive outlook on life becomes a role model
with influence expanding like the ripples from a stone dropped in a pond. "The
glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile nor the joy of
companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers
that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him." -Ralph Waldo
Emerson.
Another important quality of good mental health is awareness. With awareness
comes the capacity for change. "Your paradigm is so intrinsic to your mental
process that you are hardly aware of its existence, until you try to communicate
with someone with a different paradigm." -Donella Meadows.
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________*التــَّـوْقـْـيـعُ*_________
لا أحد يظن أن العظماء تعساء إلا العظماء أنفسهم. إدوارد ينج: شاعر إنجليزي