What Is Mental Health?
Finding help and resources for mental health in San Mateo is important. However, while many people may understand that mental health is imperative for overall well-being, they may not know exactly how to cultivate a healthy mindset.
Mental health is made up of three different components: emotional well-being, psychological well-being, and social well-being. It focuses on factors such as emotions, beliefs, and thought processes.
Why Is It Important?
A person’s mental health directly affects all other aspects of their well-being. Poor mental health can create unique challenges and situations that may be difficult to navigate.
Good mental health, however, is often associated with the ability to overcome challenges and cope with stressful circumstances in a positive manner. The state of one’s mental health can also have an impact on socializing, dealing with stress, and decision-making.
The Relationship Between Mental and Physical Health
Just as there are several various components that contribute to mental health, there are two components that play a role in the overall well-being of an individual: mental health and physical health.
As a result, mental health can also play a role in one’s physical health. Neglecting mental health can lead to the development of physical health problems and diseases.1
From childhood to adulthood, mental health is an important part in an individual’s overall health and well-being. As with physical health, it is necessary to take the time to develop the skills and habits that contribute to positive mental health.2
Mental Health in San Mateo: What Does Good Mental Health Look Like?
Good mental health can manifest in many different ways. This can depend on the person and their environment. However, a cornerstone of good mental health is the confidence in one’s own ability to adapt and overcome challenges in life in a healthy and safe manner.
Signs of Good Mental Health
Mental health can come in many different forms. However, there are a few key indicators of good mental health. These signs are general identifiers, and they may not be visible in every individual at every milestone in their mental health journey.
Learning to recognize these signs can aid in targeting deficiencies and areas of improvement. Some of the signs of good mental health include:
- Feeling confident in new situations
- Having an optimistic but realistic view on situations
- Understanding blame and guilt, and knowing not to overly blame one’s self
- High self-esteem
- Self-acceptance
- Compassion
What Does Poor Mental Health Look Like?
As with every aspect of health, mental health is a spectrum. In the same way that an individual may experience times of good mental health, there will also be times of bad mental health.
What Are Some Common Mental Health Challenges Faced by Residents of San Mateo?
In many cases, poor mental health is a temporary occurrence. It is caused by a stressful or troubling situation that is short-term and thus quickly resolved. For example, it is not uncommon to see a student’s mental health decline in the days prior to an important test or presentation.
Temporary stress can also come from work, domestic concerns, and other healthcare problems. However, poor mental health can also be a chronic concern that comes from long-term stress. If not resolved, chronic poor mental health can lead to a variety of conditions, such as mental health disorders and/or substance use disorders.
There is no single cause for poor mental health. Instead, there are various factors that can play a role in the state of one’s mind. This includes biological factors, overall history, and certain events.3
Signs of Poor Mental Health
Oftentimes, these signs of poor mental health serve as indicators that it may be time to reach out to a healthcare professional for help with mental health in San Mateo.
Some of the signs that you may be experiencing poor mental health include:
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Sleeping too much
- Self-isolating or having difficulty connecting to others
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Feelings of sadness or hopelessness
- Body aches
- Irritability and increased agitation
- Inability to complete responsibilities and tasks
- Substance use disorder
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
Negative Symptoms from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Poor mental health may also result from past trauma. As a result, part of our mission in providing high-quality healthcare service in San Mateo highlights the inclusion of treatment focused on negative symptoms resulting from childhood.
If you or a loved one were subjected to Adverse Childhood Experiences, which can range from neglect, abuse, your parents’ divorce, or a myriad of other factors, you may still exhibit symptoms of trauma or poor mental wellness as a result.
These can make it difficult to have a good mental outlook and may even contribute to substance use or mental health disorders later on in life. Horizon Treatment Services is here to help educate and guide those who experienced ACEs and get them the care they need to better their mental health.
How to Improve Mental Health
Whether viewing mental health from one day to the next or on a grander timeline that includes weeks, months, and years, it is common to notice that one’s mental health rarely stays the same.
As individuals encounter different situations and events, both positive and negative, mental health may fluctuate accordingly. However, just like with your physical health, there are ways you can improve your mental health to better your overall mindset.
Taking the time to improve one’s mental health provides individuals with the ability to cope with daily events and stresses while also preventing certain conditions or disorders.4
Improving Mental Health
Some of the ways that you can improve your mental health include:
- Speaking to a professional about mental health in San Mateo
- Connecting with your support system, be it friends or loved ones
- Dedicating time to improving your physical health
- Developing healthy habits, such as getting enough sleep each night or staying hydrated
- Learning healthy coping strategies, such as hobbies or small acts of self-care
How Can Community Outreach Help Individuals Find Mental Health Services?
At Horizon Treatment Services, we strive to go beyond providing traditional healthcare. We also aim to cultivate a sense of community. This means utilizing community outreach to help individuals find the mental health services they need.
At Palm Avenue in San Mateo county, we offer support services. This includes providing information and opportunities for education to help highlight mental health concerns and the options available for further treatment.
Improve Mental Health in San Mateo with Horizon Treatment Services
Mental health in San Mateo is just as important as physical health. If you find that you are struggling with your mental health, it is essential to reach out and learn more about the resources that are available to you.
At Horizon Treatment Services, we offer state-of-the-art treatment aimed to manage, treat, and prevent a variety of mental health concerns. This includes addressing concerns related to disorders or collaborating with our patients to find beneficial ways to improve poor mental health.
How We Can Help
Since 1976, Horizon has specialized in providing high-quality addiction and mental health support. We are passionate about ensuring that individuals get the care, guidance, and support they deserve.
This can come in the form of detoxification, residential, outpatient, and community support services for all ages. Across all of our locations, you’ll find that we focus on providing high-quality care in inclusive environments dedicated to meeting your unique needs.
To learn more about the availability of these services or for additional information about mental health in San Mateo, contact us today.