Mental health and Hygiene

1. Mr. Sushil Sudarshan Humane MSN, Rn

2. Concept
• Mental Hygiene is defined as “A science dealing
with the preservation and promotion of mental
health as well as prevention and treatment of
mental illness or abnormalities.”
• Mental Health is defined as “A state of well-being
in which every individual realizes his or her own
potential, can cope with the normal stresses of
life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is
able to make a contribution to his or her
community.”

3. Concept
Mental Illness
• “An illness with psychological or behavioral
manifestation and/or impairment in functioning,
due to social, psychological, genetic, physical or
biological disturbances.” (American Psychiatric
Association).
• “Mentally ill person means a person who is in
need of treatment by reason of any mental
disorder other than mental retardation”(Indian
Mental Health Act, 1987).

4. Nature of Mental Health
• There is nothing to be called as perfect mental health.
• Mental health is a dynamic concept.
• Mental health can’t be achieved without physical
health.
• Mental health can’t be achieved without physical
health.
• Mental health and efficiency are not the same thing.
• Mental health and sociability are not the same thing.
• Mental health differs from ethical standards/Morality.

5. Characteristics of a Mentally
Health person
• He knows himself such as own strength and
weakness.
• Has the ability to make adjustments.
• Emotionally mature and stable.
• Socially adjustable.
• Intellectual powers are adequately developed.
• Lives in the world of reality.
• Courage and tolerance to face failures in his life.

6. Characteristics of a Mentally
Health person
• Free from mental illness.
• Good health habits.
• Self confident and optimist.
• Has an adequate sex adjustment.
• Healthy interest and aptitudes.
• Well balanced life.
• Satisfied with profession and occupation.

7. How to maintain mental
hygiene
1. Don't hold grudges. If you find yourself remembering and
visualizing an old wrong someone did or said, immediately
stop, and think of a new pleasant thought. Forgive and
forget.
2. Tell yourself: "That was then and this is now." Which means
"I've gone on to something new and I don't need to even
think about that anymore."
3. Dump the "junk" out of your conscious thoughts. Cleanse
your mind do not be double minded. Say "I forgive that." or
"I will not hold onto that anymore." Try to forgive old wrongs
quickly. Say so! Declare it! "I forgive that!" and then go on
as if you do forgive it. Don't entertain bad thoughts. Clean
up your speech and your thoughts.

8. How to maintain
mental hygiene
• 4 Accept yourself and your circumstances. Try to appear to
be less flustered by major or minor events, and soon you
will be.
• 5 Be kind to your enemy! Your revenge interferes with your
peace of mind force or fights will not change anger to
peace of mind!
• 6 Avoid blaming others but rather take responsibility for
anything that you could have handled in a better way
• 7 Avoid being, thinking and talking negatively.
• 8 Doubt your hearing and your sight, doubt your negative
interpretations of what you "heard" or "saw;" ignore subtle
actions of others.

9. How to maintain mental
hygiene
• 9. Assume that no one will think that you're odd if you:
a. act calmly
b. avoid erratic behavior don't act shocked, shake your head,
whirl about, giggle (for no apparent reason);
c. avoid rambling speech--get back on topic;
d. do not glare and grimace at people-smile a little;
e. do not argue or accuse people of insults, etc. in a public place.
• 10 Avoid publicly laughing for no apparent reason or talking to
yourself--or muttering and giggling in public.
• 11. Realize that your attitude makes a great impact
• 12 Find an activity that seems worthwhile to accomplish and get
busy.
• 13. Help someone that has less than you and wants some help

10. Warning Signs of
Poor Mental Health
• General features.
• Bodily signs.
• Behavioral Signs.

11. Warning Signs of
Poor Mental Health
General features:
• Emotionally unstable and easily upset.
• Suspicious and insecure.
• Self critical.
• Lack of self confidence.
• Lack of adjustment.
• Frustrations and conflicts.
• Over anxious and tensed.
• Poor self concept.
• Lives in the world of imagination.

12. Warning Signs of
Poor Mental Health
Bodily Signs:
• Back pain
• Change in appetite.
• Chest pain.
• Diarrhea
• High blood pressure.
• Palpitations.
• Insomnia.
• Sexual problems

13. Warning Signs of
Poor Mental Health
Behavioral Signs:
• Sudden change in mood.
• Long lasting sadness.
• Temper tantrums.
• Excessive fear, worry.
• Confused thinking, illogical reasoning.
• Paranoid thinking.
• Delusions and hallucinations.
• Alcoholism and drug abuse.
• Difficulty in concentration.

14. Promotive and Preventive
Mental Health Strategies
• Strategies for adjusting with one
self.
• Strategies for adjusting with one’s
environment

15. Promotive and Preventive
Mental Health Strategies
Strategies for adjusting with one self.
• The Strategy of knowing the self. Aware
of own strength and limitations so that
realistic goals may be achieved.
• The Strategy of accepting one’s self: one
who accepts and respects oneself in its
very shape and existence is likely to
enjoy good mental health while the
others who blames self cannot lead a
healthy mental health.

16. Promotive and Preventive
Mental Health Strategies
Strategies for adjusting with one self.
• The Strategy of balancing the level of
aspiration: too high or low achievement
aspirations are not good. It should be
based on own capabilities.
• The strategy of balancing his
development: concentrate on
harmonies development of personality,
in all of its dimensions such as physical,
mental, emotional, social and moral.

17. Promotive and Preventive Mental
Health Strategies
Strategies for adjusting with one self.
• Integrating self: one should not make
one's self torn between the opposing
and conflicting desires and ambitions .
Avoid unnecessary tensions .
• Self driving and Shaping: we should
decide our life and destiny ourselves
not under anyone's pressure.
• Self Control: believe in self
discipline rather than forced discipline.

18. Promotive and Preventive
Mental Health Strategies
Strategies for adjusting with
Environment
• Understand and Accept Others:
Others interests, attitudes,
temperaments etc otherwise we
may invite unnecessary quarrels and
tensions.
• Socialize self: mingle in society
• Satisfy the needs: security, love and
affection, freedom, recognition, etc.

19. Promotive and Preventive Mental
Health Strategies
Strategies for adjusting with Environment
• Train the Emotions: Flow of emotional
energy into constructive channels of life.
• Adjust to world of Work: work is worship.
Do all the work with a positive attitude.
• Positive attitude towards life: love and
believe in yourself.
• Bear the stress and strain:
stress management
• Maintain good physical health: exercise and
diet.