MENTAL HEALTH
At the dawn of a new year, much
is made about the popularity
of resolutions focusing on
improving physical fi tness. While it’s
important to be physically fi t, a new
year also marks a great time to examine
one’s mental wellness.
The World Health Organization
defi nes mental wellness as “a state
of well-being in which the individual
realizes his or her own abilities, can
cope with the normal stresses of life,
can work productively and fruitfully,
and is able to make a contribution to
his or her society.” Men and women
who are mentally unwell may fi nd it
diffi cult if not impossible to achieve
their other goals, including those pertaining
to their physical fi tness.
No one is immune to mental health
problems, which the American Mental
Wellness Association notes are never
the result of a single risk factor. Many
people whose mental wellness has
been compromised are dealing with
a variety of risk factors. The AMWA
breaks down those risk factors into
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four categories: biophysical, psychological,
social, and spiritual. Learning
these risk factors can help people
learn more about themselves and
might even compel them to seek help
before their mental wellness is compromised.
BIOPHYSICAL
• Family history of mental health
problems
• Complications during pregnancy
or birth
• Personal history of traumatic brain
injury
• Chronic medical conditions, such
as cancer or diabetes. Hypothyroidism
or other brain-related illnesses, such
as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease,
also can compromise mental wellness
• Use of alcohol or drugs
• Poor nutrition
• Lack of sleep
PSYCHOLOGICAL
• Stressful life situations, such as fi -
nancial problems or breaking the law
• Traumatic life experiences, such
as rape or serving in the armed forces
• Low self-esteem, perceived incompetence
and/or a negative view
of life
• Poor academic achievement
SOCIAL
• Being abused or neglected as a
child
• Being in an abusive relationship or
friendship
• Having few friends or few healthy
relationships
• Recent loss, either by death, divorce
or other means
• Bullying; both victims of bullying
and perpetrators can be at risk for
mental health problems
• Growing up, or currently living, in
poverty
• Poor social skills, poor communication
skills
• Discrimination
• Lack of access to support services
SPIRITUAL
• Perception of being irredeemable
or inherently fl awed beyond repair
• Perception of insignifi cance
• Confl icting thoughts or doubts surrounding
deep religious beliefs
The good news for people who think
their mental wellness has been compromised
is that various treatments
are available. Talk therapy or speaking
with a peer who has had similar life
experiences can help some people as
they confront problems regarding their
mental wellness.
Identifying mental health risks
WINNER
One out of eight women will develop breast cancer in her life. While
there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer, our best defense is early
detection. Learning about your individual risk factors and scheduling
regular screening can help find the disease early, when it’s easier to treat.
For more information or to discuss your risk factors and schedule a screening, please contact us:
VantageMDGroup.com
Queens
158-06 Northern Blvd.
Flushing, NY 11358
P: (718) 445-3700
Brooklyn
2101 Avenue X
Brooklyn, NY 11235
P: (718) 512-2160
Manhattan
1000 10th Ave.
New York, NY 10019
P: (646) 741-2626
Brian Hall, MD, FACS
General Surgery
Muhammad Kafeel, MD
Medical Oncology
Walter Choi, MD
Radiation Oncology
Anella Bayshtok, MD
Radiation Oncology
Paul Gliedman, MD
Radiation Oncology
Inna Rekeil, HHP
Integrative Medicine
Health and Wellness Program
Edlira Foto, NP
Nurse Practitioner
/VantageMDGroup.com