Four Phases of Mental Health and Happiness
Mental Health & Happiness Guide
Here are 4 possible phases of mental health and happiness, along with lists of the signs and symptoms to look for, and helpful suggestions for improvement. This guide highlights specific behaviours and characteristics, and categorizes them into Thriving, Struggling, Worrisome and Distress.
Picture a gas tank inside of each of us; we are Thriving when our tanks are full from healthy and happy habits, alternatively, we experience feelings of Distress when we are trying to run on empty. Just like a tank of gas can’t jump from full to empty, we can’t skip past any of the phases. The earlier signs of emptying are spotted, the easier the steps are for filling it back up.
Recognizing the various phases is helpful for understanding our own mental health needs, and appreciating the struggles of others. However, it is important to note that this guide does not identify every possible sign or symptom that may present, and most importantly, it is not to be used as a tool to diagnose. It is simply a helpful guide for mental health awareness, meant to initiate respectful dialogue and offer suggestions for improving overall life satisfaction.
When Mentoring Helps
It is common to ebb and flow between phases as we respond to the ups and downs of our ever-changing environment; whether that be at home, school, work, in our community or the world at large. No matter which phase you are in, having frequent, enduring and positive relationships supporting you will significantly improve your overall mental health and happiness.
Those who are in the Struggling or Worrisome phases are likely to get the most out of a social-emotional mentoring relationship.
Someone who is Thriving may not feel the need to add a mentoring relationship to their already fulfilling life, however, if there are moments of slipping into Struggling, it could prove beneficial as a preventative approach. A person in Distress would absolutely benefit from mentoring, however, only as a complement to regular professional medical, counselling, and/or psychiatric help.
Additional Mental Health Resources
My mentoring program may not be right for everyone, or be enough on its own. There are excellent professional mental health resources available, with a variety of options depending on your needs, means and urgency.
You are part of a community that is dedicated to supporting you.
THRIVING
- Enthusiastic, engaged with others, participates in school/work activities
- Good attendance
- Readily shows happiness, excitement, good motivation and energy
- Good use of coping skills, positive ways of dealing with feelings and emotions
- School/work satisfaction – work is manageable
- Good life balance of school/work, family, friends, hobbies
- Enthusiastic, engaged with others, participates in school/work activities
- Good attendance
- Readily shows happiness, excitement, good motivation and energy
- Good use of coping skills, positive ways of dealing with feelings and emotions
- School/work satisfaction – work is manageable
- Good life balance of school/work, family, friends, hobbies
- Maintain a good life balance
- Stay connected with others
- Surround yourself with things you enjoy, love and are passionate about
- Be mindful of what you are doing to be resilient
- Have fun
- Put yourself first – take time for you
- Exercise
- Rest, relax and eat well
- Reflect on what is going well and build on that
- Surround yourself with good people, good activities and a good environment
STRUGGLING
- Irritable, forgetful, more fatigued than usual
- Some absence from school/work
- Less engaged with others, not socializing as much, loss of motivation
- Completing work but with limited enthusiasm and lower quality
- Increase in stress level
- Less active
- Struggling to keep a good life balance
- Irritable, forgetful, more fatigued than usual
- Some absence from school/work
- Less engaged with others, not socializing as much, loss of motivation
- Completing work but with limited enthusiasm and lower quality
- Increase in stress level
- Less active
- Struggling to keep a good life balance
- Ask for help from others
- Be mindful of self and what is going on around you
- Increase your rest and relaxation time
- Set small manageable goals so you feel you are accomplishing something
- Focus on your strengths and on what you need from others
- Don’t avoid contact with others – strive to engage with people daily
- Become more active to decrease stress
- Focus on healthier strategies to cope
- Stop and reflect on how you are doing and what you need
- Be kind to yourself – focus on balancing your life and responsibilities
Would Comrade Morpho Mentoring Help Here?
Yes!
Working with me as a mentor when the symptoms are mild and only beginning to show, makes it a much easier process to get back to a sense of thriving.
Contact me to book a free 1hr consultation.
WORRISOME
- Emotionally withdrawn from others
- Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
- Increase in substance use/abuse
- Low activity level, low level of mental well-being
- Poor physical and mental health – sick often, apathy
- More missed days at school/work, or lateness
- Lacks motivation or overworks – struggles completing tasks on time
- Less tolerant, easily frustrated, agitation, accident-prone
- Negativity is predominant
- Unkempt appearance
- Emotionally withdrawn from others
- Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
- Increase in substance use/abuse
- Low activity level, low level of mental well-being
- Poor physical and mental health – sick often, apathy
- More missed days at school/work, or lateness
- Lacks motivation or overworks – struggles completing tasks on time
- Less tolerant, easily frustrated, agitation, accident-prone
- Negativity is predominant
- Unkempt appearance
- Be aware of your limitations and struggles
- Ask for professional help
- Accept help from others
- Keep connected with supportive people
- Acknowledge you are struggling
- Find time to focus on self
- Reflect on what may have gotten you to this point
- Seek medical support to assist in better understanding mental illness and mental injury
- Surround yourself with supportive people, activities, and resources
Would Comrade Morpho Mentoring Help Here?
And how!
As a mentor, my approach to helping is very relaxed and indirect. I am sensitive to how people are feeling, and I meet them there. What we do together is always adaptable to the current mood/struggles. Bad day? That’s cool, let’s lay low. Feeling a little better? Let’s go do something easy. My slow and steady approach can have attitudes and moods improving over time.
Contact me to book a free 1hr consultation.
DISTRESS
- Unhealthy mentally and physically – poor self care
- Exhausted, anxious, panicky, depressed, sleep deprivation
- Easily frustrated, angry outbursts
- Lots of work/school absence and/or lateness
- Withdrawn from others, not engaged
- Avoidance of people
- Impaired judgment, distorted thinking
- Low to no work production, overt insubordination
- “I don’t care” attitude
- Suicidal thoughts, addictions and/or breakdown
- Unhealthy mentally and physically – poor self care
- Exhausted, anxious, panicky, depressed, sleep deprivation
- Easily frustrated, angry outbursts
- Lots of work/school absence and/or lateness
- Withdrawn from others, not engaged
- Avoidance of people
- Impaired judgment, distorted thinking
- Low to no work production, overt insubordination
- “I don’t care” attitude
- Suicidal thoughts, addictions and/or breakdown
- Seek professional and medical help
- Stay connected with supportive people – avoid isolation
- Focus on getting better physically and emotionally
- Keep yourself safe
- Follow through with recommended supports from professional and/or medical helpers
- Work with people who support you to develop a plan to get better
Would Comrade Morpho Mentoring Help Here?
Absolutely!
But – only in addition to a treatment plan that is already being lead by a family doctor or psychotherapy professional.
For someone who is in Distress, working with me as a social-emotional mentor can be a very helpful between medical appointments. It surrounds the mentee with a team of caring professionals who are dedicated to their health and healing.
Contact me to book a free 1hr consultation.
The Mental Health & Wellness Awareness Guide for the Workplace
Copyright © St. John Ambulance (2020). All Rights Reserved
Let's Do This Together
No matter which phase we are in, there is no denying the positive impact an enduring and reliable human connection can have on our emotional health and happiness. If you, or someone you love could benefit from another intentional adult around, reach out for a free 1hour mentee consultation call.
