Mental and Emotional Health

Objectives Describe characteristics of positive mental health. (day one) Compare the stages of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. (day one) Describe how you can learn to express emotions in positive ways. (day one) Identify the limitations of defense mechanisms. (day two) Describe three positive strategies for managing your motions. (day two)

Key Terms Mental health - the state of mental well being on which one can cope with the demands of daily life. Self-actualization - the achievement of the best a person can be. Emotion - the feeling that is produced in response to life experiences. Defense mechanisms – an unconscious behavior used to avoid experiencing unpleasant emotions.

Mental Health Good mental health means having high self-esteem and being able to develop healthy, intimate relationships. Having high self-esteem, handling daily frustration, and building relationships depends on your ability to express and manage your emotions in positive ways. Therefore, to be mentally healthy you also have to be emotionally healthy.

People who are mentally and emotionally healthy have the following characteristics : A sense of control Taking charge of your life. Taking responsibility for your behavior. Less likely to blame others for the situations you may face. Ability to endure failures and frustrations Persist through setbacks. Understand that frustrations are part of learning. Ability to see events positively Being optimistic and see the challenges of life as opportunities! Ability to express emotions in a healthy way Do not hold emotions in or deny how they feel. Express emotions in a healthy way and talk with friends when they need support. Myth crying is a sign of weakness Fact Holding your emotions in can be destructive to your health.

MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS Mentally and emotionally healthy people are more likely to reach self-actualization. Self- actualization is the achievement of the best a person can be. People who have achieved self- actualization have reached their potential and feel they have received the most out of life Abraham Maslow, a psychologist, a person who studies emotions and behaviors, believed that everyone has a basic drive to reach self- actualization. Maslow stated that to reach self- actualization, a person first has to achieve some very basic needs. He calls this list the hierarchy of needs. (See diagram)

The need for food, water, sleep, and exercise The need for shelter and protection from danger The need for love,affection and acceptance Achievement of the best a person can be

Expressing emotions

Emotions can be overwhelming

Some emotions deserve special attention Anger Fear Guilt Jealousy Loneliness

DEFENSE MECHANISMS If an emotion gets too overwhelming you may use a technique called a defense mechanism. A defense mechanism is an unconscious thought or behavior used to avoid experiencing unpleasant emotions. Because defense mechanisms are unconscious behaviors, you don ’ t plan or decide to use them. However, you can observe yourself and become aware of how you react and treat others.

Table of defense mechanisms

Limitations of defense mechanisms DM ’ s can be helpful in the short-term. They can even have a positive outcome. However, they do not have long-term benefits. In the short-term, they may help a person feel better and allow one to get through a tough time. However, they do not make the upsetting emotions disappear. Instead, they tend to mask the unwanted feelings. Example: A person at school has been harassing you. When you come home from school you yell at your mom. If you do not realize what you are doing you will never solve the problem at school. Displacing your feelings on to your parent will also put a strain on that relationship.

Writing prompt Think about your emotions and behavior over the last week or so and write about a defense mechanism you have used. Which defense mechanism did you use? What were the core feelings or emotions you were avoiding? Did using the defense mechanism have a positive outcome for you in the short-term? How do you think it might affect your life in the long-term? List 3 positive (non-defensive) ways you can deal with that same emotion in the future.