World Mental Health Day: Shifting the Focus to Good Mental Health, with Compassion
World Mental Health Day is a time to reflect on the importance of mental well-being in all its forms. So often, our conversations focus on mental illness—anxiety, depression, and burnout. And while it's essential to highlight these struggles and offer support, there’s another side of mental health we don’t talk about enough: the potential for good mental health.
It’s important to acknowledge that if you're struggling right now, talking about "good mental health" might feel out of reach.
You might be thinking, “That’s nice for someone else, but not for me.” If that’s how you feel, I want you to know that your experience is valid. We all walk different paths, and no one’s pain or progress should be compared to another’s.
This isn't about dismissing or minimising difficult feelings. It's about offering hope that, even in the toughest times, there can be small shifts—moments of light—that make a difference.
Talking About Good Mental Health
We’ve made strides in being more open about poor mental health, and that’s incredibly important. But it’s equally essential to talk about good mental health, not in a way that feels dismissive or unrealistic, but as something that can grow alongside the challenges.
Good mental health doesn’t mean feeling happy all the time or never facing difficulties. It’s about finding resilience, having moments where things feel manageable, and recognising that even in the darkest times, small steps forward are possible.
One of the approaches I use in Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) is about finding those small steps. We don’t ignore the struggles, but we also don’t get stuck in them.
Instead, we ask questions like, “What’s one thing, no matter how small, that feels just a little bit better today?” and “What might things look like when you start to feel more in control?”
Compassionate Positive Thinking
Talking about positive thinking can feel challenging, especially if you're feeling weighed down by negative emotions. But in the context of SFT, positive thinking isn’t about forcing yourself to smile through the pain or pretending everything is fine. It’s about finding moments, no matter how tiny, where you can imagine things being a little different, a little better.
It’s not about being unrealistic or pressuring yourself to "fix" everything at once. It’s about recognising your own resilience and allowing space for hope, even when it feels far off.
SFT encourages small steps forward. It’s not about the destination but the direction, and those steps can start from wherever you are.
Good Mental Health is for Everyone
This World Mental Health Day, I want to emphasise that mental health is a spectrum, and it’s not a matter of simply moving from "bad" to "good." We all experience ups and downs, and sometimes those downs can feel overwhelming. But it’s possible to nurture moments of well-being, no matter how small, even when things feel hard.
By acknowledging both the challenges and the possibility for growth, we create space for everyone in the conversation—whether you're thriving or struggling.
A Gentle Reframing
If you're reading this and feeling like good mental health is impossible, know that you’re not alone. There’s no rush or expectation to "fix" things quickly. Good mental health isn’t about reaching a perfect state, but about the small ways we can begin to care for ourselves, even when it’s hard. By embracing both the struggles and the possibilities, we can start to shift the conversation—not away from poor mental health but toward a more balanced view that includes hope, resilience, and growth.
No matter where you are in your mental health journey, your feelings are valid, and your progress is uniquely your own.
Today, let's honour both the challenges and the small steps we can take toward better mental health.
If you are in crisis and need support, please reach out to one of the following services in the UK:
Samaritans: Available 24/7 on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org for more information.
Mind: For urgent mental health support, you can text SHOUT to 85258 or call the Mind Infoline at 0300 123 3393. Visit www.mind.org.uk.
NHS 111: If you’re not sure what help is available, you can call 111 for urgent advice.
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): For men struggling with mental health, call 0800 58 58 58 or visit www.thecalmzone.net.
Please note: This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing mental health difficulties, it’s important to reach out to a qualified healthcare provider.