This is what I think about mental health. Humans have two needs which I classify as physical and emotional/mental. Physical needs are much more easily identified and dealt with while emotional needs are not.The aim being to be in a state of equilibrium where neither emotional or physical needs overwhelm the individual.
Physical needs are what you might imagine e.g. food,sex,warmth,health.Emotional needs are more complicated and one of the strongest need is the need for security and not comfort. At this point it is important to note that emotional needs might inspire and drive physical behaviour e.g. what one might desire to eat or wear might not be about the food or clothes but more about an underlying emotional desire.
As humans we live in a state of uncertainty.We are uncertain of our futures,environments,origin,relationships,goals,ourselves...and we constantly engage and react to this uncertainty. We want security which can't be fulfilled in this world the way we desire it. We want to know we are appreciated,that we have a purpose and ultimately that things will work out.We want to feel complete.
Physical needs can be satisfied or subdued to an extent but emotional needs are more elusive. Identifying these needs which stem from the depths of the unconscious to the tip of consciousness is a major hindrance to the effort of dealing with your emotions.
The media surely doesn't help.We are constantly bombarded with messages telling us that we are incomplete and imperfect leaving us feeling empty and yearning for products that only pacify us for the moment.
To identify and begin the process of handling emotional needs four things are indispensable i.e. truth,humility,patience and courage. Truth helps to identify the problem.Humility helps you accept the problem.Courage drives the will to find the solution and patience gives you time to deal with it. Without them you will be in a state of denial.
Denial will lead to suppression and this leaves the individual open to the whims of a force that they neither understand nor control. If you are neither in control of your needs or in the pursuit of this control,you will seek to treat the symptoms and not the problem.
You will seek wealth to feel more secure your needs can be met and that you're important because you are wealthy. You will become aggressive and target all things in your environment that threaten you in attempt to feel more secure.You will become proud and arrogant to feel more important about yourself. These are just a few examples.Just because one is in denial doesn't mean the needs can be neglected or their influence is any less meaningful.
We should create time for dialogue with ourselves and from this we gain understanding of ourselves and in turn others. We should not seek to be like others but more of ourselves for each of us is unique and beautiful in our own right. If you don't honestly desire to face and conquer yourself then you are already conquered.
Uncertainty is certain.Let go