Eligibility

What is poor mental health?  This question is worth asking because definitions of mental health can be vague and there are many misunderstandings.

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A person whose body is operating well is said to be in good physical health.  But some people find it hard to achieve even with good physical health.

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So let's start by saying that the MENTALLY HEALTHY PERSON can achieve things in a way satisfactory to their education and culture despite physical impediments, but the MENTALLY UNHEALTHY PERSON fails to do so even with no physical impediments.

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For example, a person with slurred speech who nevertheless manages to converse confidently is showing good mental health.  But if they aren't confident, and it's not down to education or culture, they are showing poor mental health.

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Another example, someone who doesn't want to go out because people might laugh at them might have a valid reason to be concerned.  But if they can still go out, they are showing good mental health.  If they hide at home or won't go out, they are showing poor mental health.

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Words like CONFIDENCE, SELF-ESTEEM, MOOD, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, PSYCHOSIS and DISORDER are used to explain why someone might be unable to achieve what they are hoping to achieve, despite beind physically unimpeded.

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One more example, suppose someone suffers STAGE-FRIGHT, they struggle to speak confidently to a group of people.  It could be down to EDUCATION, CULTURE or PHYSICAL INCAPACITY.  For example, they may not know enough to speak confidently on a subject, they may have cultural differences so that they can't feel confident, or their seech might be so degraded as to be virtually unintelligible.  But IF NONE OF THESE APPLY and they still aren't confident, they are showing poor mental health.

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Hopefully this definition/explanation will help you decide if you are eligible to join our group.  If you are suffering with poor mental health of have suffered with poor mental health in the past, you are eligible to join our group.  Bring your carer or support worker if you like, they are welcome too.