by Jan Goodrich

(Jan was a psychiatric Registered Nurse and group leader who taught mental health skills for daily life).

I attended several seminars led by a nurse who had a doctorate degree in mental health nursing. She started every seminar wih this statement: “7% of our population is psychotic. The other 63% of us are garden cariety neurotics.” We all have our insecurities, fears, anxieties, obsessions and compulsions. If these neuroses become severe they can lead to depression, suicidal thoughts, and addictions.

In countries that have socialized health care, anyone can have a counselor and/or psychiatrist paid for by the government. The make their mental health as important as their physical health.

In our country, mental health is rarely covered by insurance, and the people who need it most are the ones who cannot afford it; therefore, mental illness is thriving in our country. 1 in 4 adults experienced mental illness in the past year. 25% of these and 77% of substance abusers received no treatment. 15% of youth aged 12-17 had a major depressive disorder.

The mental health skills I have taught in my articles can help to decrease and prevent anxiety and depressive disorders. Here is a working list of those skills:

1. Put your mental health first.
2. Spot angry or fearful temper.
3. Anxiety blocks insight.
4. Spot processing.
5. Move your muscles.
6. Command your muscles to relax.
7. Strive to be average not exceptional.
8. Have the courage to make mistakes.
9. Have the willingness to bear life’s discomforts.
10. Endorse yourself – say “Good for me!”
11. A sense of humor is your best friend.
12. Don’t get worked up over trivialities.
13. Feelings are not facts.
14. Feelings are distressing but not dangerous.
15. Change the insecure thought.
16. Channel nervous energy into productive activity.
17. Be group-minded.
18. There’s no right or wrong in domestic affairs.
19. Drop the judgement against yourself and others.
20. You only need your own approval.
are the ones who cannot afford it; therefore,
21. Don’t go for the symbolic victory.
22. Assert yourself in a cultured manner.
23. Control your mouth muscles.
24. You can’t control outer environment.
25. You don’t know what other people are thinking.
26. Others cannot know what we are thinking