Most of us have struggled with our mental health at some point in our lives. It can be, to say the least, very frustrating when trying to cope and feel better, and it feels like nothing is working.
Don’t you wish you could just have a magic button to press, and it would make everything alright? While we have yet to discover this hypothetical magic button and there is no fool-proof formula to make us happy and anxious-free, there are five key components that are considered essential to maintaining good mental health well-being.
The five C’s of mental health are described as competence, confidence, character, connection and caring. Of course, people’s situations differ, and our mental health is a complex thing, but overall, if one is able to feel like they’ve got the five C’s in order, most likely, their mental well-being is being taken care of and they’re able to live their lives in a positive and healthy way.
When one feels competent, there’s a feeling of confidence and capability in one’s abilities to cope with challenges and achieve their goals. Confidence is described as believing in oneself and having a positive self-image. Connection comes from feeling connected to others, having supportive relationships and belonging to a community. Character is defined as demonstrating ethical behavior, taking responsibility, and adhering to values. The last C, caring, means showing compassion, empathy, and concern for oneself and others.
These five Cs are often brought up when talking about the topic of positive youth development. With positive youth development, professionals and parents are working together to foster a sense of self-worth, social connection and ethical behavior since they are the foundations for a good mental well-being and therefore would set our teens and young adults up for success when faced with hardships or any difficult situation where it may try to take a toll on their mental health.
Next time you find yourself struggling to find that feeling of positivity and emotional stability, it may be helpful to ask yourself, “Which C am I feeling a bit empty on and what can I do to fix that?” ¦
Mindful Minute by Melissa Rojas, RCSWI, with Counseling Associates of America, is dedicated to addressing mental health care and support for both individuals and couples. Visit americascounselors.com for more information.
