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Section 12-2 Your Mental Health 303
Reading
Review
1. True or false. A person’s health can affect his or her ability to get
and keep a job.
2. Name fi ve benefi ts of daily physical activity.
3. How many hours of sleep do most people need each night in order
to feel their best?
R R R
1 1 T f
Section 12-2 Section 12-2
Your Mental Health
Objectives
After studying this section, you will be able to
•
describe a healthy mental state.
•
demonstrate ways to cope with stress and depression.
•
identify warning signs of depression that indicate a need for help.
Key Terms
defense mechanism stress depression
Your health involves more than being fi t physically. Your well-being
also includes mental health. Many factors, such as stress and personal or
family crises, can affect your mental health. Serious mental conditions,
such as depression and bipolar disorder, require psychiatric help.
Maintaining a Healthy Mental State
People who are mentally healthy look for, and fi nd, the best in their
surroundings. They understand themselves and what makes them think
and act as they do. They can accept their weaknesses and recognize their
strengths. People with a healthy mental state are self-confi dent. They are
more likely to follow their principles than to respond to peer pressure.
They also have a sense of humor and seem to enjoy life.
Defi ning Mental Health
According to the World
Health Organization, mental
health is defi ned 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 her or his community.”
Aspects of positive mental
health include emotional,
psychological, and social
well-being.
Mental
Health
Awareness