Safeguards of mental well-being
HEALTH COMPETENCE 4/6Protect your mental well-being with safeguards
Mental well-being can be promoted by strengthening safeguards. You should recognize the safeguards and risk factors of mental well-being in order to strengthen the mental health safeguards in the daily life.
Checklist
- Find a meaningful way to exercise
- Give yourself time to refresh and relax in your spare time
- Find a suitable way to study
- Meet with friends
- Talk about your feelings and thoughts with your friends and loved ones
- Plan your time usage
- Identify your own limits and set reasonable goals
- Set clear limits for your goals and dare to be happy when achieving them
- Do not get stuck with problems – Ask for help or try another approach
Mafeguards and risk factors of mental well-being
Internal safeguards
- exercise
- food
- sufficient rest
- talking about feelings
- the ability to maintain and create friendships
- hobbies
- self-respect and self-acceptance
- daily choices
External safeguards
- family and friends
- going to school and studying
- the ability to dare and know how to seek help when necessary
- safe growing environment
Internal risk factors
- self-esteem vulnerability
- poor relationships with friends, parents and loved ones
- isolation and alienation from familiar relationships
- feeling of helplessness
- feeling of inferiority
External risk factors
- break-ups and losses
- violence
- bullying
- smoking
- alcohol or other substance abuse
- social marginalization
- harmful environment
- unemployment
References
Erkko & Hannukkala 2013, Mielenterveys voimaksi, Suomen Mielenterveysseura
Karila-Hietala, Wahlbeck, Heiskanen, Stengård & Hannukkala 2013.
Mielenterveys elämäntaitona. Mielenterveyden ensiapu 1.
Törrönen, Hannukkala, Ruuskanen & Korhonen 2011, Hyvinvoiva oppilaitos, Mielen hyvinvoinnin opetus- ja koulutusaineisto toisen asteen oppilaitoksille, Suomen Mielenterveysseura