What Is a Strengths-Based Approach to Mental Health?

Here's what's happening on the HealthyPlace site this week:

• What is a Strengths-Based Approach to Mental Health?
• From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs
• Video: How to Live Your Best Life with Bipolar Disorder
• Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans
• Mental Health Quote

What is a Strengths-Based Approach to Mental Health?

You are not your mental illness, nor does your illness define who you are and how you live your life. A strengths-based approach to mental health recognizes and embraces these facts.

“Strengths” is a concept that encompasses many aspects of who people are. Strengths include character traits, talents, and abilities. When you recognize, develop, and use them, you can take forward action and be who you are. You are empowered to live well in spite of mental illness and other challenges.

Therapists draw from a variety of theories and techniques to help people work past mental health challenges. Some are problem-oriented and seek to uncover what is wrong. Other mental health professionals, such as strengths-based counselors, aren’t as concerned with the problem as they are with what is already working and what people have within them.

A strengths-based approach to mental health leans heavily toward exploring, developing, and using your traits and abilities to transcend problems; however, that doesn’t mean that strengths-based therapy never explores problems. Therapy is rarely all-or-nothing but instead uses a wide range of approaches to help people heal. Strengths-based therapy just focuses more on things within you that already work.

Related Articles Dealing with Mental Health Therapy, Strengths

• Five Character Strengths of People Living with Anxiety
• Using Your Strengths When You Feel Weak Improves Your Mood
• Types of Mental Health Counselors: Finding a Good One
• Where to Find Mental Health Help
• Types of Mental Health Doctors and How to Find One
• Mental Health Therapy Benefits

Your Thoughts

Today's Question: Do you prefer exploring what is wrong or focusing and building on what is already right inside of you and in your life? We invite you to participate by sharing your thoughts, experiences, and knowledge on the HealthyPlace Facebook page and on the HealthyPlace Google+ page.

From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs

On all our blogs, your comments and observations are welcomed.

• Bipolar Advocacy: How to Become a Bipolar Advocate?
• Dealing with the Ups and Downs of Depression
• How to Find Gratitude When You Are Depressed
• Be Present with This Victory Visualization for Anxiety
• Yoga or Yoga Therapy Can Help You Live Free of Anxiety
• The Benefits of Meditation: Getting Blissed Out
• Seeing a Psychiatrist for the First Time
• Food Shaming Rituals around the Holiday Season
• What Anxiety Has Made Me Thankful For
• The Danger of Comparing Yourself to Others Through Self-Harm
• Facing Your Fear Raises Your Self-Esteem

Feel free to share your thoughts and comments at the bottom of any blog post. And visit the mental health blogs homepage for the latest posts.

------------------------------------------------------------------

From HealthyPlace YouTube Channel

I'm Hannah. I Have Bipolar 2

How to Live Your Best Life with Bipolar Disorder

Yes, I have bipolar 2 disorder. And yes, it’s challenging to live with it. But I’m always trying to stay positive and want to share three ways to live your best life with bipolar disorder vs just surviving. (Watch Hannah and subscribe to the HealthyPlace YouTube channel for more great mental health videos.)

------------------------------------------------------------------

Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans

Here are the top 3 mental health articles HealthyPlace Facebook fans are recommending you read:

1. Schizoaffective Anxiety Makes Me Afraid to Wash My Hair
2. Advocate for Mental Health Care Improvements for Your Child
3. Self-Care for Mental Health: Find Ways that Work for You

If you're not already, I hope you'll join us/like us on Facebook too. There are a lot of wonderful, supportive people there.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Mental Health Quote

"When someone with anxiety asks. "Do you love me?”. “Are you sure?", don't get angry. We're trying hard, but sometimes we need reassurance. We feel like no one likes us sometimes. Deep down, we know it’s silly, but that doesn't stop us. We're still learning. Be patient."

Read more anxiety quotes.

------------------------------------------------------------------

That's it for now. If you know of anyone who can benefit from this newsletter or the HealthyPlace.com site, I hope you'll pass this onto them. You can also share the newsletter on any social network (like facebook, stumbleupon, or google+) you belong to by clicking the links below. For updates throughout the week, circle HealthyPlace on Google+, follow HealthyPlace on Twitter or become a fan of HealthyPlace on Facebook. Also, check out HealthyPlace on Pinterest and share your mental health pins on our Share Your Mental Health Experiences board.

back to: HealthyPlace.com Mental-Health Newsletter Index