Mental health is a state of our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we cope with difficulties faced. It also impacts how we decide and socialize with others. It is equally important to our physical health for the reason that these systems affect one another. For instance, deteriorating mental health can affect our bodies through unhealthy coping mechanisms made in order to "get through" something temporarily.This website is made to show an overview of our mental health:
(1) its factors; (2) its importance; (3) its stigma; (4) how to combat its factors; (5) how to improve our mental health; as well as (6) scientifically proven activities that can mitigate the status of our mental well-being.

It is important to have good mental health because it greatly affects the way we see the world and the way we feel, act, and socialize with others. It even influences the way we handle relationships and situations. A great indicator of having good mental health is having competent decision-making skills because it is anchored to our critical thinking. On top of that, mental health is another factor that has an effect on our physical health. Even our coping mechanism is a factor that is associated with the state of our mental health. The better we cope, the better our mental health is. The more literate we are in our mental health, the better we cope.

For students, having good mental health means that they can engage in classroom activities better. They can learn skills with ease. They can participate better in group activities and will show active participation throughout the program. However, there are instances when even the most active student burns out. Simple exercises like jogging, walking, yoga, meditation, and breathing are some of the activities encouraged by health professionals in order to prevent this from happening.

Mental health is not constant. It changes throughout our life due to factors that influence it.  The mental health of an individual may be impacted by a number of factors. In addition to relevant statistics, the following are some of the key factors:· 
     
Biological Factors 
-Genetics: has an impact for mental health in a way that certain gene variants are linked to a higher risk of developing mental illnesses like schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression. However, the results of mental health are not solely determined by genetics.  
-Neurochemical imbalances: Imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine can also contribute to mental health disorders. According to studies, brain chemicals contribute to the emergence of anxiety and depression. Neurotransmitter imbalances can result in symptoms like emptiness, worthlessness, sadness, or helplessness.·       

Environmental factors  
-Childhood experiences: Negative childhood events like abuse, neglect, or trauma can have a long-lasting impact on mental health. Children who have undergone complex trauma frequently struggle to recognize, express, and control their emotions. They may also have a limited vocabulary for emotional states.o 
-Socioeconomic factors or poverty: People with lower SES have less freedom to choose their jobs, which results in more pressure and unpleasant feelings. According to Cristine et al. Those with adverse SES are more likely to be exposed to unfavorable environments, experience unfavorable emotions, and experience potential stress, all of which have a detrimental impact on health.
-Limited access to health care: can lead to the emergence and aggravation of mental health problems.·       

Psychological factors.  
-Poor coping mechanisms: such as substance abuse, avoidance, or unhealthy relationships, can negatively affect mental health..
-Personality traits: perfectionism and pessimism are two examples of personality traits that can increase someone's risk of developing mental health issues. The prevalence of anxiety and depression, for instance, has been correlated with perfectionism.·       

Social factors:  
-Social support: Strong social support networks, which include friendships, family ties, and community connections, are protective for mental health. On the other hand, loneliness and social isolation can raise the risk of mental health issues.o  
-Stigma and discrimination: People may be reluctant to ask for assistance and support due to the stigma surrounding mental health. Although stigma and discrimination frequently result in underreporting and ineffective treatment, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1 in every 8 people, or 970 million people around the world, were living with a mental disorder, with anxiety and depressive disorders the most common.

 Prioritize self-care: prioritize self-care practices that help you unwind, reduce stress, and feel your best overall. Indulging in hobbies, setting aside time for yourself, meditating or practicing mindfulness, getting enough sleep, and leading a healthy lifestyle are some examples of this.·       

‍Create a Support System: Develop and maintain positive connections with people who will be there for you. Make an effort to socialize with your friends, family, or support networks. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with close friends or family members can help you feel better emotionally and reduce stress.·       

Manage Stress: Create efficient stress reduction strategies. Determine the sources of your stress and consider coping techniques like deep breathing exercises, exercise, journaling, or partaking in enjoyable and relaxing activities.·       

‍Maintain Healthy Habits: Be mindful of your physical and mental health by maintaining healthy habits. Regular physical activity, a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep should all be priorities. These routines can improve your mood, your energy level, and your general mental health.·       

‍Seek Professional Help if Needed: If you require it, seek professional assistance if you are experiencing serious or persistent mental health problems. Counselors or therapists who specialize in mental health care can offer advice, support, and evidence-based treatments that are catered to your individual needs.

Keep in mind that achieving better mental health is a journey that may require patience and effort. Along the way, it's critical to practice patience and kindness toward yourself. Additionally, what works for one person might not work for another, so experiment with various approaches and strategies to find the one that works best for you.

For biological factors, imbalanced neurotransmitters seek for equilibrium. In order to attain that, you can do even the simplest thing to boost your brain chemicals. For example:
-Tune into your dopamine by completing small tasks. Give yourself a reward for every one check on your to-do list.Tune into your endorphins by doing the things you love such as exercising and laughing. 
-Tune into your serotonin through an immersed meditation. Even believing in yourself can boost your serotonin levels because this brain chemical highlights satisfaction and importance.
-Tune into your oxytocin by giving compliments to strangers. Communication with others can reward you with positive feelings.

‍Surrounding yourself with good people. You get to choose who you surround yourself with. Associate yourself with people who can be considered as your safe space and are trustworthy.

 Engage yourself with those who are raising awareness about mental health if you are willing to be an advocate. In this way, you are fostering mental health literacy which can help destigmatize the subject matter. Thus, helping more and more people to win over anxiety and depression.

 Learning to vent in a healthy way. There are a lot of ways to let your anger and sadness out. One of which is called “journaling”. This technique uses pen & paper, or an app to write a diary entry for personal consumption. Some people also prefer drawing and scribbling how they feel at the moment. However, one might not work for another, but it won’t harm you to give it a try.

Quote: On the days when you only have 40% and you give 40%. You still gave 100%. — Jim Kwik, American Coach

Interactive and relaxing games have been found to be beneficial for all ages because of its calming effect among people who suffer from anxiety and depression. Overstimulation can also cause stress to those who have mental disorders, that’s why an accessible compilation of interactive games is one of the best solutions in reducing discomfort in environments that may trigger them.

 Aside from the previously mentioned benefits of interactive games, more effects include:

-Helps children with attention challenges such as those who are suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
-Motor skills development
-Social relationship skills and relations

Furthermore, activities like meditation and deep-breathing fosters the mindfulness of an individual. It eases the mind. Breathing exercises, as well as meditation, are known to relieve anxiety and stress. Some people do not need guidance, while some still do. With that, a breathing exercise is included in this website.

Numerous ways exist for music to enhance mental health. It has the ability to arouse and express emotions, giving people a way to express and regulate their emotions.
The effects of listening to music on mood, relaxation, and stress levels are positive. Participating in music can sharpen memory, increase attention, and stimulate cognitive processes. Music also fosters social connections, creating a sense of belonging and support. Music has the power to improve mental health by allowing for self-expression, fostering emotional well-being, and serving as a source of solace and inspiration, whether through active participation or passive listening. Research suggests that music can have positive effects on mental health. As demonstrated by aarp.org, music can have a beneficial effect on brain chemicals such as dopamine, which is linked to feelings of pleasure, and oxytocin, the so-called “love hormone.” Patients feel better thanks to a mechanism that music triggers in the brain that promotes relaxation. In addition to helping us relax and lessen trauma, music can also control our emotions. Moreover, music with soft tones-for examples, classic or jazz songs can reduce blood pressure and create a serene mood in a patient according to eduberdie.com. These findings highlight the potential of music to positively impact mental health by reducing stress and improving mood.

The stigma around mental health prevents people from receiving the treatment they deserve. Bad mental health literacy results in a heightened population of individuals who continually suffer from anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders and illnesses. Meanwhile, good mental health literacy is accounted for numerous positive effects including:
‍
    -self-awareness
   -knowing which coping mechanism works best for you
   -yielding confidence in taking control
   -resulting in better physical health
   -having higher emotional intelligence
   -enhancing your help-seeking skills
   -teaching others that our mental health is just as important as our physical health
  -giving others a sense of comfort that it is alright to seek help