Wellspring Magazine (FINAL.NOVEMBER)) - Flipbook - Page 11
RMAL
NCTIONAL
A third trait category of resilient people is the ability to
make meaning of their stories (1) . They have the skills
to process negative truths about the broken world,
themselves, others, and the losses of life. When faced with
trauma, loss, or personal failures, their worldview allows
them to see each of these hardships as only a part of their
entire life and even eternity. Their worldview is accurate
enough to hold up to painful realities, so that they are not
thrown by circumstances. When they do process their
stories, they find meaning in their hardships through
altruism, mastery, human connections or spiritual
perspectives.
The Mentally Ill
The National Institute of Mental Health says that “nearly
1 in 5 U.S. adults live with Any [form of] Mental Illness “,
and that 5.6% of US adults suffer from a Severe Mental
(3)
Illness. (3)
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5-TR) features
the most current updates regarding mental illnesses.
These illnesses are based on scientific literature with
contributions from more than 200 experts, and lists
more than 70 disorders, which fall in categories such
as: neurodevelopmental, psychotic, mood, anxiety,
personality, substance abuse disorders and many more.
Some mental illnesses have genetic links and others can
be caused or made worse by both environmental factors
and personal choices. Life and people are complicated, so
it is very important for us to be kind and not oversimplify
or judge the struggles with mental illness from which
people suffer. When we assume or say that people should
“just [do something]”, we often add insult to injury, just
as we would if we told someone in a wheelchair to “just
go over the curb” in their path! The good news is that
medicine, behavioral changes, therapy and great social
support can help even those with genetic mental illnesses
to manage their lives better and live full, productive lives.
Those with mental illnesses may struggle to attain or
maintain the traits of resilience. They may lack selfawareness and self-regulation, especially when under
stress. Social support can be difficult to find for those
who lack social skills, can’t regulate their responses to
others in healthy ways, or who are depressed or isolated.
And lacking clarity or accuracy of a stable worldview can
decrease the likelihood of making sense and meaning
MENTALLY HEALTHY
HABITS
out of life experiences. Mental illness can even be lifethreatening, demonstrated by suicide being the 12th
(4)
leading cause of death in the US (4).
The Normal Dysfunctional Middle
Most of us live in the middle of the bell curve of the mental
health spectrum. The “normal dysfunctional” people have
aspects of dysfunction in their relationship and behavior
patterns. They also may a few good mental health habits to
help them function on a daily basis. They have some skills
in all three resilience categories and can tolerate some
stressors. But they also can move down the spectrum when
under a stress, or up the spectrum with some intentional
efforts.
Movement on the Spectrum
Again like physical health, it is important to remember that
our mental health status can change in seasons of our lives.
We could be fairly stable, but then become mentally ill due
to a physical illness, stressful life circumstance, or even due
to aging factors. We could experience a traumatic life event
and develop PTSD; we could take on negative coping skills
that develop into an addiction, or we could live or work with
highly dysfunctional people and develop some of our own
matching toxic habits. We can move down the spectrum
by neglecting to care for our mental health, or we can
move up the spectrum and make great improvements by
intentionally attending to our mental health!
The mission of Wellspring is not just to treat the mentally
ill; it is to help people reach their own goals for improving
their mental health. Clients are asked what isn’t working for
them and what would it look like if it did. With clear goals,
effort and proven tools, it is possible for anyone to improve
their life by moving up the mental health spectrum.
1. The Resilience Portfolio Model: Understanding Healthy Adaptation in ... https://
www.researchgate.net/profile/Sherry-Hamby/publication/282531780_The_Resilience_
Portfolio_Model_Understanding_Healthy_ Adaptation_in_Victims_of_Violence/
links/561bd0d108ae6d17308b0815/The-Resilience-Portfolio-Model-UnderstandingHealthy-Adaptation-in-Victims-of-Violence.pdf.
2. Ozbay, Fatih, et al. “Social Support and Resilience to Stress: From Neurobiology to
Clinical Practice.” Psychiatry (Edgmont (Pa. : Township)), Matrix Medical Communications,
May 2007, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921311/.
3. Ozbay, Fatih, et al. “Social Support and Resilience to Stress: From Neurobiology to
Clinical Practice.” Psychiatry (Edgmont (Pa. : Township)), Matrix Medical Communications,
May 2007, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921311/.
4. “Mental Health by the Numbers.” NAMI, https://nami.org/mhstats.
MENTAL HEALTH
ATHLETE
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