Thoughts on Mental Health

During my days in college I met our wonderful Assistant Dean of Students, Dr. Ron Barnes. He became a mentor for me long before I fully understood the meaning of the word, and we have kept in touch ever since. After leaving Iowa State University Dr Barnes served on the staff of the Menninger Foundation, a psychiatric facility in Topeka, KS. Although this is not Mental Health Awareness Month (which is May), with the start of a new school year my thoughts have turned to more serious topics and this one has been in my idea folder for some time.

According to Dr. Barnes, one of their purposes at the Foundation was to help individuals achieve mentally healthy approaches to life. “In developing these positive approaches, psychologists on the staff asked fourteen of their colleagues to identify five people whom they considered to be mentally/emotionally healthy men and women and sought to find common qualities within these eighty individuals.” What they found is taken from an article Dr. Barnes wrote 02/17/19:

“First, these people were able to treat others as individuals. They didn’t categorize people. They were able to see the uniqueness of each person and could open themselves to the rich variety that different people offer.

Second, the individuals had a variety of sources of gratification. All their psychological needs were not in one basket. They had a number of ways of enjoying themselves, of having fun and getting personal satisfaction.

Third, these people were flexible under stress. Perhaps I could have inserted a photo of an airport ticket counter with a list of cancelled flights here. The point is to cope with problems in a number of different ways and adapt strategies that enable you to find alternative solutions to problems. Don’t crash and burn over the first failed attempt.

Fourth, the individuals were able to identify their strengths and accept their limitations. They did not depreciate their abilities and talents nor overvalue themselves.” Wow. There’s a lot to unpack in that sentence. I think it’s a challenge to asses your abilities with honesty.

“And last, the mentally healthy people were active and productive in a quality manner. They were active because they enjoyed what they were doing while their productive activities afforded them pleasure.” Like singing. Or writing. Or volunteering at a food bank, or any number of activities you engage in and find rewarding.

If I could add a suggestion to the list above, as did Dr. Barnes, it would be this: develop a sense of humor. It softens rough edges, it builds bridges, and it releases endorphins. Your sense of well being will be rewarded and thank you for it. And remember each of us is always in the process of becoming mentally healthy.

As we turn the calendar from August to September, I’m excited to think autumn isn’t far away. The grocery store has pumpkins and mums on display outside, and I hope they’ll withstand the 94 degree heat predicted for the entire week! I’m planning an overnight stay in the Flint Hills of Kansas the end of September to immerse myself in the place my characters Lila and John would have settled as newlyweds in 1868. I hope you’re enjoying the end of summer and looking forward to new adventures this fall.

Until next time…