Mental health is more than the absence of mental illness.There are degree of mental health.Just as there are degree of physical health.Here`s an illustration of what we mean by degrees of mental health.Roberto is an average student but a gifted artist.Ever since he was old enough to hold crayon,he has been drawing And draw very well.Even through he is very talented,however,he never lives up to his promise.
Somehow,whenever he is entered in a drawing competition,Roberto is late getting his work in.Or it is not the right size.Or it is done sloppily.His art teacher knows he could do better. Butt Roberto just won`t__or can`t__apply himself. One characteristic of mental health is a person`s desire to achieve goal that he or she knows can be attained.In Roberto`s case,something is holding him back.We can`t say that Roberto is holding
him back.We can`t say that Roberto is mentally ill;he isn`t.He has good relationship with his family and friends in school.His academic record is fair.He is not destructive of himself nor of any one else.Yet,he is not all he could be either. Kelly,on the other hand ,is an average student ans outstanding soccer player.She is one of the smallest girls in the class.Yet,despite her size,she is almost always last one of the field. She enjoys playing and does it with enthusiasm.People like Kelly,who enjoy what they do,seem to get more out of life.Perhaps the most envious sign of a good state of mental health is a certain zest for what one is doing.Without this zest,you may do reasonably well,be moderately popular,feel relatively secure,and yet find that it is all a little flat.When you have high degree of mental health,you are better able to reach your maximum potential.You are at your best in your work,your play,and with your friends.
