World Mental Health Day was initiated in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health. Its main objectives are to promote mental health policies and raise public awareness through social education on the prevention of emotional and mental disorders, as well as to support the fight against social stigmatisation.
Have you ever wondered what mental health really is?
What does it mean to you?
The concept of mental health or well-being is usually associated with its medical meaning. It means the absence of disorders and the proper functioning of the body in the mental/cognitive sphere. However, mental health should be considered in a multidimensional way, and not just as the absence of disorders.
Mental health also includes:
- a person’s ability to accept themselves, – the ability to develop and feel satisfaction from everyday life, – the ability to perceive the surrounding reality in an appropriate (realistic and responsible) manner and function within it,
- the ability to play specific social roles,
- maintain interpersonal relationships
- adhering to social and cultural norms.
One indicator of mental health is the ability to experience emotions that are appropriate to the situations we encounter, e.g. joy when something positive happens, satisfaction after achieving a goal, despair when we experience loss, sadness or anger when something goes wrong, fear of new, unknown situations.
As you can see, mental well-being is not about constantly feeling joy or being able to look at all situations in life positively. What is more important is the adequacy of emotions – we will feel differently when we miss the bus on our way to the shops than when we lose a job we really cared about, or when a good friend visits us – the intensity and type of emotions will be different depending on the event.
An example of inadequate emotions can be a reaction to success. When we achieve a goal, it is natural to feel satisfaction. However, after a moment of joy, some people feel unsatisfied or even convinced that ‘if I achieved it, it means it was easy, so there is nothing to be happy about’. When we feel disappointment after achieving success, this may be an example of the inadequacy of our emotions in relation to the situation we are experiencing.
Life has many colours and shades. It is impossible to be constantly satisfied, smiling and calm. Setbacks and moments of negative emotional experiences alternate with positive, joyful events, giving an overall sense of balance and satisfaction with life.
As you can see, mental well-being is not about constantly feeling joy or being able to look at all situations in life positively. What is more important is the adequacy of emotions – we will feel differently when we miss the bus on our way to the shops than when we lose a job we really cared about, or when a good friend visits us – the intensity and type of emotions will be different depending on the event.
An example of inadequate emotions can be a reaction to success. When we achieve a goal, it is natural to feel satisfaction. However, after a moment of joy, some people feel unsatisfied or even convinced that ‘if I achieved it, it means it was easy, so there is nothing to be happy about’. When we feel disappointment after achieving success, this may be an example of the inadequacy of our emotions in relation to the situation we are experiencing.
Life has many colours and shades. It is impossible to be constantly satisfied, smiling and calm. Setbacks and moments of negative emotional experiences alternate with positive, joyful events, giving an overall sense of balance and satisfaction with life.
Once we have achieved harmony, it is worth remembering that mental health is not a given. It needs to be looked after, just like physical health.
How can this be done?
- observe your emotions and thoughts, share them with others, this will help reduce emotional tension,
- make sure you spend time in nature,
- try to be physically active (adapt the form of activity to your needs and abilities),
- nurture relationships that strengthen you, allow yourself to end those that weaken you,
- plan small pleasures,
- allow yourself spontaneous joy and fun,
- recall your ideal day in your mind, try to ‘feel’ it with all your senses,
feel free to say ‘no’, refuse without having to explain yourself when you don’t feel like doing something, - seek psychological help when you feel that it is difficult for you to cope with a difficult situation on your own.
You will always find help at the Crisis Intervention Centre in Lublin. We are here to listen to you, show you attention and give you support. We are located at: ul. Probostwo 6A, 20-089 Lublin, tel. 81 466 55 46, Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
24-hour helpline for people in crisis: 733 588 900
Helpline for children and young people – 789 777 981 – every day, including public holidays, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
You don’t have to be alone!
Source:
- https://wcpr.pl/…/10-pazdziernika-swiatowy-dzien…, access 09.10.2025
- https://www.gov.pl/…/10-pazdziernika—swiatowy-dzien…, access 09.10.2025
- https://www.wellbeing-ideas.pl/…/swiatowy-dzien…/, access 09.10.2025