What does good mental health mean to you?

[smallchestofdrawers]

I've been through some tough times and better times in my life. I've been very depressed in the past, had a difficult childhood and have some rather dysfunctional family members.

I've had a lot of therapy and done a lot of "work" on my self over the years.

I'm in a good place currently (although being in a good place makes me feel anxious!).Things are by no means perfect-I'm pretty overweight (size 18), and I find it very, very hard to get a grip and lose weight, and while I love and get on well with my partner and we are a happy family we not exactly a passionate, love's young dream couple.

Generally though I'm much more contented and able to roll with emotional punches than I was as a young(er) woman.

For obvious reasons a lot of time is devoted to discussing poor mental health but recently I've been wondering about what constitutes "good mental health". How do you spot it/ know when you've achieved it. I know I'm just idly musing so I apologise to those of you who are suffering if this seems trivial.

Would love to know others' thoughts though.

I think that's an excellent question OP. Your background sounds very similar to mine. I'm going through psychotherapy too, it's been 3 years now. I still have periods of depression and anxiety but overall, I do feel that I'm moving closer to good mental health. Here's what I consider signs of good mental health:

• a really strong sense of satisfaction with who you are as a person
• an ability to keep feelings in perspective e.g. being able to see a minor setback as just that, rather than seeing it as the end of the world!
• recognising your feelings for what they are and allowing yourself to actually feel them, rather than thinking about how you 'should' be feeling
• being able to put yourself first whenever you need to
• having healthy boundaries - recognising other people's feelings and opinions and thoughts as just that, their feelings, which don't necessarily have to have an impact on the way you that you think and feel
• recognising other people's toxic behaviour as their issue, and not a reflection on your worth as a person

I'm sure there are loads more! I know that what I'm looking for out of therapy is to develop a sense of contentment with who I am and with life in general.

Good luck with it all OP and well done for working so hard on yourself - it's rewarding work but can be extremely tough and painful

A most excellent list if I may say so, you've articulated my thoughts for me!