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In this article we will discuss about the characteristics of a mentally healthy person.
1. A mentally healthy person has an ability to make adjustments.
2. A mentally healthy person has a sense of personal worth, feels worthwhile and important.
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3. A mentally healthy person solves his problems largely by his own efforts and makes his own decisions.
4. He has a sense of personal security and feels secure in a group, shows understanding of other people’s problems and motives.
5. A mentally healthy person has a sense of responsibility
6. He can give and accept love.
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7. He lives in a world of reality rather than fantasy.
8. He shows emotional maturity in his behaviour, and develops a capacity to tolerate frustration and disappointments in his daily activities.
9. A mentally healthy person has a variety of interests and generally lives a well-balanced life of work, rest and recreation.
A healthy individual is not only physically healthy but also mentally healthy. The modern concept of health extends beyond the proper functioning of the body. It includes a sound, efficient mind and controlled emotions. “Health is a state of being hale, sound or whole in body, mind or soul.” It means that both body and mind are working efficiently and harmoniously.
Man is an integrated mechanism, a psychosomatic unit (body-mind unit) whose behaviour is determined by both physical and mental factors. It is a normal state of well-being, and in the words of Johns and Webster, “is a positive but relative quality of life”.
It is a condition which is characteristic of the average person who meets the demands of life on the basis of his own capacities and limitations. By the word ‘relative’ we imply that the degree of mental health which an individual enjoys at a time is continuously changing.
It is not mere absence of mental illness that constitutes mental health; on the other hand, it is a positive quality of the individual’s daily living. This quality of living is manifest in the behaviour of an individual whose body and mind are working together in the same direction.
His thoughts, feelings and actions function harmoniously towards a common goal means the ability to balance feelings, desires, ambitions and ideals in one’s daily living. It means the ability to face and accept realities of life.
Other definitions of mental health refer to such abilities as of making decisions, assuming responsibilities in accordance with one’s capacities of finding satisfaction; success and happiness in the accomplishment of everyday tasks of living effectively with others and showing socially considerate behaviour. Mentally healthy individual or a well-adjusted person possesses or develops in his daily living.
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These characteristics can serve as criteria for optimum mental health:
1. He has his own philosophy of life:
A mentally healthy person formulates his own values keeping in view the demands of society. This philosophy guides him in his various activities of life.
2. A proper sense of self-evaluation:
A well-adjusted person knows about his capacities, motives, strong points and limitations. He carefully evaluates his behaviour and accepts his mistakes.
With an open mind:
3. Exercises his wise judgment well as he knows strength and limitations well, he choose those social and individual tasks which are neither too difficult nor too easy. Thus he easily achieves his goal.
4. Emotionally mature:
He is emotionally mature and stable and expresses his emotion, nationally and exercises proper control over them.
5. A balanced self-regarding sentiment:
He has a proper sense of personal respect. He thinks that he is an important member of the social group and can contribute something for its progress and welfare.
6. Socially adjustable:
We are all social beings. This social life reality refers social give and take. A mentally healthy person knows the art of social living and social give and take.
7. A realistic approach:
His approach the various problems of life is realistic. He is not cowed down by imaginary fears or pitfall which may come.
8. Intellectually sound:
He has adequately developed intellectual powers. These enable him to think independently and to take proper decision at the proper time.
9. Emotional maturity:
Emotions like fear, anger, love, scalousy, etc. are generally seen in our social life. Such a person has a mature emotional behaviour. He has a control over them and expresses them according to the accepted social norms.
10. Bravery facing failures:
Life is a game of see-saw. If we aim success, we sometimes come across failures as well. A person with perfect mental balance has enough courage and power of tolerance for facing failures in his life.
11. Punctuality:
A person with sound mental health has desirable social and healthy habits. He does not forget his commitments and is regular and punctual in performing his duties.
12. National attitudes towards sex:
He has a natural normal attitude towards sex and does not suffer from any sex abnormalities.
13. Self-judgment:
Self-judgment is one of the important characteristics of such a person. He uses it in solving his problems. He does not depend on the judgment of others.
14. Varied interests:
Various types of interest attract him. These provide him with variety and happiness in life. He performs his daily duties with grace and balance. He enjoys work, takes rest and enjoys recreation.