Posts Tagged ‘health studies’

Defining mental health is not an easy issue, but then neither is defining mental illness. Years ago, scientists merely described mental health as a lack of “disease or illness.” But health is not that simple. You can have a disease in one aspect of your health and not in another.

Merriam-Webster says mental health is “A state of emotional and psychological well-being in which an individual is able to use his or her cognitive and emotional capabilities, function in society, and meet the ordinary demands of every day life.”

In defining mental health, the Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health says it “refers to the successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and the ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity.”

Another view of mental health is that it is “successful mental functioning, as opposed to “impaired functioning.” In order to truly understand the term mental health, it is necessary to look at cultural contexts of the term.

The Western world divides health into three parts, while in the East, mental health is seen as “harmony” among all the health systems, working together.

Modern psychiatry sees mental health as a continuum with mental health on one side and mental illness on the other. Depression is a mental illness, but not in the same league as schizophrenia. This is probably the best explanation of mental health.

However the term is viewed, mental health is an important component of our overall health. Studies have shown a connection between mental illness and associated physical and social factors. This happens through “psychophysiological hyperactivity” (continuing mental stress), “disease stability” (how mental health issues will effect an already existing disease, i.e. asthma, diabetes) and “host vulnerability” (extended periods of stress make us more vulnerable to disease and illness).

Mental health should concern us all, because if we are not mentally healthy, we are not really healthy. By taking care of ourselves mentally (preventive) we can help assure we will not as readily fall victim to mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.

For information:
http://health.disc overy.com/
http://en.wikipedia. org/

Dear Mr. President,

While watching the healthcare debate, I can’t help but notice that we continue to chase the disease, rather than invest in our wellness. Healthcare reform is not just about money. It is about a sick society that needs to be saved from its own self-inflicted bad habits. As long as we continue to abuse our bodies with bad diet, minimal exercise and excessive pharmaceuticals, there is little chance that any healthcare plan will suffice. Every doctor, researcher and health expert will tell you that fresh fruits and vegetables whole foodsand exercise, are what we are lacking.

You have a gift people listen to you. You are the one who can encourage people to take control over their health and do the right thing for themselves. You can change people’s mindset from fighting disease to regaining health. Just as Mother Theresa once said, I will not attend a march against war, but I will be happy to lead a peace rally, we must change the focus from negative to positive; from disease to health.

How about a healthcare plan that rewards a person for getting fit and strong – health care as in caring for our health? Require every person to get a complete physical (100% covered by insurance). Rather than prescribing excessive pharmaceuticals, instruct doctors to prescribe fruits, vegetables, exercise and rest to their patients. Grocery distributors and restaurantors will automatically join the challenge by lowering prices on healthy foods and preparing foods in a more health conscious manner because the people will demand it. Supply and demand still works in America. Conduct health studies through the primary doctors and dentists to monitor the patient’s progress every 6 months. Those who show significantly improved test results will receive their own $100.00 Stimulus check in the mail. At the end of each year, all of those who maintained excellent health habits and test results will be put in a lottery drawing for prizes such as trips, free college courses, paid mortgage payments, etc. Those who can maintain good health for two years will also see a reduction in their health insurance premiums. We the people are not motivated by seeing insurance companies get more money. We are motivated by getting some money back ourselves. This plan will turn everyday sick people into healthy successful citizens who get the recognition they deserve for working hard to better themselves, one person at a time, to make a difference.

In time, the tide will turn. New generations will receive the gift of healthy living. Our economy will be more productive and we’ll be a much stronger America. Imagine it.

I care about you, my family and our country. All politicians in the past have looked at healthcare in the same way. Mr. President, you could be the first to go outside the box and see healthcare in this whole new light.

Dear Mr. President,

While watching the healthcare debate, I can’t help but notice that we continue to chase the disease, rather than invest in our wellness. Healthcare reform is not just about money. It is about a sick society that needs to be saved from its own self-inflicted bad habits. As long as we continue to abuse our bodies with bad diet, minimal exercise and excessive pharmaceuticals, there is little chance that any healthcare plan will suffice. Every doctor, researcher and health expert will tell you that fresh fruits and vegetables whole foodsand exercise, are what we are lacking.

You have a gift people listen to you. You are the one who can encourage people to take control over their health and do the right thing for themselves. You can change people’s mindset from fighting disease to regaining health. Just as Mother Theresa once said, I will not attend a march against war, but I will be happy to lead a peace rally, we must change the focus from negative to positive; from disease to health.

How about a healthcare plan that rewards a person for getting fit and strong – health care as in caring for our health? Require every person to get a complete physical (100% covered by insurance). Rather than prescribing excessive pharmaceuticals, instruct doctors to prescribe fruits, vegetables, exercise and rest to their patients. Grocery distributors and restaurantors will automatically join the challenge by lowering prices on healthy foods and preparing foods in a more health conscious manner because the people will demand it. Supply and demand still works in America. Conduct health studies through the primary doctors and dentists to monitor the patient’s progress every 6 months. Those who show significantly improved test results will receive their own $100.00 Stimulus check in the mail. At the end of each year, all of those who maintained excellent health habits and test results will be put in a lottery drawing for prizes such as trips, free college courses, paid mortgage payments, etc. Those who can maintain good health for two years will also see a reduction in their health insurance premiums. We the people are not motivated by seeing insurance companies get more money. We are motivated by getting some money back ourselves. This plan will turn everyday sick people into healthy successful citizens who get the recognition they deserve for working hard to better themselves, one person at a time, to make a difference.

In time, the tide will turn. New generations will receive the gift of healthy living. Our economy will be more productive and we’ll be a much stronger America. Imagine it.

I care about you, my family and our country. All politicians in the past have looked at healthcare in the same way. Mr. President, you could be the first to go outside the box and see healthcare in this whole new light.

Defining mental health is not an easy issue, but then neither is defining mental illness. Years ago, scientists merely described mental health as a lack of “disease or illness.” But health is not that simple. You can have a disease in one aspect of your health and not in another.

Merriam-Webster says mental health is “A state of emotional and psychological well-being in which an individual is able to use his or her cognitive and emotional capabilities, function in society, and meet the ordinary demands of every day life.”

In defining mental health, the Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health says it “refers to the successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and the ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity.”

Another view of mental health is that it is “successful mental functioning, as opposed to “impaired functioning.” In order to truly understand the term mental health, it is necessary to look at cultural contexts of the term.

The Western world divides health into three parts, while in the East, mental health is seen as “harmony” among all the health systems, working together.

Modern psychiatry sees mental health as a continuum with mental health on one side and mental illness on the other. Depression is a mental illness, but not in the same league as schizophrenia. This is probably the best explanation of mental health.

However the term is viewed, mental health is an important component of our overall health. Studies have shown a connection between mental illness and associated physical and social factors. This happens through “psychophysiological hyperactivity” (continuing mental stress), “disease stability” (how mental health issues will effect an already existing disease, i.e. asthma, diabetes) and “host vulnerability” (extended periods of stress make us more vulnerable to disease and illness).

Mental health should concern us all, because if we are not mentally healthy, we are not really healthy. By taking care of ourselves mentally (preventive) we can help assure we will not as readily fall victim to mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.

For information:
http://health.disc overy.com/
http://en.wikipedia. org/