Category: Education

Validation and Instinct

No matter who you are…or what you do, Validation at some point is an amazing feeling. Saying NO can bring you to Amazing too.

Anecdotal experience here!

I went to an awesome @AvionVentures event at IndieDesk in Downtown Los Angeles. I was there to see how I can take Bloggers of Health to the next level. We are here people! 😀 That’s our current reality right now and we are transparent and like to share so I said, here we go!

There were four amazing PowerHouses speakers there, MC’ed by His own powerhouseness Barney Santos from Gentefy:

Catherine J.K. Sandoval, the first Latina to serve on the California Public Utilities Commission.

Helen Iris Torres, Executive Director, Hispanas Organized for Political Equality

Liliana Monge, Co-Founder, Sabio

Deldelp Medina, Co-Founder & CEO, Avion Ventures

In the workshop I was working on my master plan (Bwahaha < I kid…); more so moving things around I already have to work with for them to make more sense. @Deldep was amazing! The workshop that Avion Ventures provided helped me! It put some screws back in my head.

Then…”and then!” Julia from Wild Horse Labs spoke, taught us what to know about our company/idea (depending on what level we are in) so we can talk to investors and obtain future workers and know how to grow and let go of our business and make that money to help serve our need.

At the end of the event, I spoke to Julia and we were having a great convo about a little bit of everything when our convo hit a validation point for me. She said, “No, you don’t have to work with everyone. No you don’t have to say yes to everyone. And yes have to be able to say No…in a kindly way of course!” Those words gave me chills. When she said those words, I felt so validated! You see I’m one to say no to people who I just don’t feel right working with. And yes to those whom I feel good working with. It doesn’t always have to do with who they are… Some are my friends and I don’t work with them due to ethics or I just know to trust me instinct. It doesn’t mean the other person is the devil… they are just not in my current path for my journey and who knows, they maybe in the future. I like using my instincts. I felt validated! … Even a grown up woman like myself enjoys to be validated for her thinking! This stems from something a few (a lot of people) have told me, “Make sure I play with everyone because Bloggers of Health is a new company.” And I have said thanks for the input, but I don’t play with everyone.

Its not that I don’t like to play with everyone in the sand box, I’m still kind, genuine, honest, silly and will be very nice to everyone including the ant (they are strong little suckers). More so, it’s that “feeling” I get- with whom I am to play with in the sandbox, and whom I don’t want to or shouldn’t play with in the sand box, and I trust my feeling; my instinct. They have gotten me through a lot in life.

When she said, “no you don’t have to work with everyone,” I literally almost cried. Because I felt understood, i was validated. I understood two things from that: 1. No, people don’t have to work to me, but they will want to someday. And 2. No I don’t have to work with people I don’t think will help or work with me the way I want to be helped or worked with. She provided an example: “It’s like dating! (Ha!) You pick and date the best people, not the not good enough for you! And what’s for someone else isn’t always for you.”  Eureka! More validation!  Heck she even spoke to me about my current dating life. Lol. Backtracking, not everyone is meant for you.  Your product is not for everyone. But when you do find someone you love to work with… Well it can be a hit! Ball out of the park, it was all you needed and who you where waiting for… Ha! Just like dating.

This doesn’t mean you burn bridges or cannot foster a relationship… it just means you know what you want for your business…and a partner.

Coming from someone who’s at a different level of Business than I am and hearing those words validated my thought process.

I want you to know that being you, trusting your instincts, your gut feeling, yourself will take you to places you would never think of or they will take you to where you are thinking of right now! (hoping it a positive and great place!)

That no matter what “level” of life you currently live, validation is good. Positive thinking is good. Knowing how to trust your self, your instincts are important. Knowing how to say NO is important! As humans our bodies where built/created to trust our self: our mind, body our heart and soul. I truly think it’s to help us in our journey in life and to stay alive!

So next time you feel that gut instinct of yours telling you something, listen to it. Hear it, and take action or not take action. Don’t over think it too much and don’t let your “amygdala get hijacked” either.

Trust you, be you, listen to you. Allow you and your team to guide you to your next flight. Allow others to help you if you think they are meant to be in your life. And tell yourself that if they didn’t want to work or help you know, however they might want help or work with you later.

Most of us lead our goals in life to survive, and thrive. Me I like to do it with Passion, compassion and a Healthy style. Know how to be teachable and you will learn, live and be amazing!

Thanks Avion Ventures, Sabio.LA, HOPE, CalTech, and Wild Horse Labs for your awesomeness. I appreciated your time and invite.  #LATINATechLA for all.

Smile (if you want).

Kindly,

Jes Sofia Valle

#LifeTips

Shoutouts! @AvionVentures @SabioLA @CalTech @Crowdismo, @Gentefy, @JessieMartinez, @MavenExperiance, and all others there making the Latina Women take their Place at the table.

 

Kindly,

 

Jessica Valle, Founder 
Bloggers of Health, LLC

 

#HOPE

Sometimes you may feel hopeless. But know that there is always HOPE and something you can find to make Life worth living, It takes a little bit of talk through sometimes, and sometimes its right in front of you. Trust that there is always HOPE in front of you.

If your friend or family or someone calls you and they want to suicide, call 911.

If you are about to suicide or hurt yourself: call 911

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273- TALK (8255)

We ask #WHY, when we should ask #HOW.

Food for thought:

There are many reasons and ways to answer why. Sometimes Why is never really answered and that can be frustrating and then some. Sometimes we ask WHY when the reality is that we should be asking HOW.

We ask WHY God, why people, why life, why Buddy, why you, why me, why this, why that… why why-why… why. You can clearly see WHY asking WHY can be not so helpful (at times). You see asking this word of three letters gets us sitting. INSTEAD of taking ACTION.

So asking HOW the next time you want to ask why.

How is this possible?
How do I get there?
How can I get through this?
How can I get through to them?
How me? (well you would have to ask HOW do I as oppose to WHY me right? )
HOW

This will take you to WHAT (you many need) and WHERE (to do, go) and even WHEN. Go figure.

Part of life is TAKING action for your own life. MAKING sure that you are able to do what you need to. Knowing WHERE to go to make things happen for you, even WHEN.

Try it out, let us HOW that works for you.

Opinions accepted. 🙂

Smile (if you want)

Jes Sofia Valle

Where to begin: The process of #PositiveThinking.

In life,… OoooChild! In life we go through sooooo much. ONE thing I can tell you on this Post is that the way you choose to think after something happens, its what you make of it. You can make a hard situation harder, or you can acknowledged that something good may come out of that situation.

Here are Five simple steps to help you begin your positive Journey:

1. OBSERVE the positive: 

Take a moment and ask yourself what are the people, things, behaviors and words that people say that are positive, and leave it at that (for now). Don’t go all worry wards and begin to think of the negative. Keep it at the positive. If you are a people watcher, don’t be jelly or caddy… really acknowledged and observe what makes people, your surrounding, the people around you positive.

Avoid saying, for Example: I love that about you, BUT i …. or I think thats awesome BUT… see what happens is that BUT negates everything you said before that was positive. Keep it simple. I like that. I love your sense of style. I like how you cook.  NOT,I like how you cook BUT you could have added more salt. You know what people are saying to themselves when you say that? Here it goes… They are saying… “well darn it! you cook and how about you put your own damn salt!” You know most are. However, if you just say I liked your cooking. They will think “Oh she/he appreciates my co” AND do it genuinely. Because people can tell when you are faking it. (yes and this is just step one).

Summary of one: Keep it simple (unlike what I just did…LOL) I like….I think (insert positive).

2. Positive Writing

Take a journal and every morning or evening or lunch time… take 10-20 minutes to write down what you observed that was positive. What you witnessed that was positive. If you have children, write down the positives, if you have a spouse, write down hers/his positives down. Write down your positives. Again, let go of the worry or the “buts” and the “what ifs” and focus ONLY on the positives. It takes practice, you nor am I perfect… but you can do this.

Mental note helps. More so, by actually writing it, you are allowing your body to become synced with your positive thoughts. You are now feeling the positive. You are feeling the pen or pencil that is in fact putting out what you are thinking and making it more concrete. More real, it is no longer just a thought. It’s on paper.

*For families here is an idea: Take a paper lunch bag, have everyone design it in a family setting and everyday place a POSITIVE note (ONLY) in your family’s lunch bag. At the end of the day or week, read what awesome things your family members have thought about you.

3. Talk the Positive you observed and wrote.  

Positive Self-Statements

First and up most, learn to give yourself a positive kudo. SOMETIMES…MOST TIMES if you are not saying, thinking, feeling positives about yourself, then you probably are not saying positives about others. Just saying… its known to be a behavioral pattern.

So begin with Positive self-statements.  I like what I’m wearing, I like that I can laugh, I like that I’m learning to be a positive person… Use “I” statements, And throw in some (a lot of)  Love… I love that I am a good woman/man. I love that I am alive, I love that I can cook, clean, do an awesome job (insert your job/work duties here) and I love that I can say I love! 🙂

4. Continue to talk positives. 

Positive Statements 

Now, steps three and four are usually interchanged. Why? because (based on providing therapeutic experience)  most people who don’t think positive can talk about other’s positives first before talking about themselves or admitting their awesome-ness to their selves. And that is awesome. AS LONG as you work on your self too! I mean how can you tell someone their are awesome, and not see yourself for being awesome. That saying, “It takes one to know one?” well… it takes an awesome person to acknowledge an awesome person. Its in you.

Tell being what you see that’s awesome about them or something they like. I tend to be random because it makes people smile. I usually say “I think that dress, tie, looks good on you. Your rocking’ it!” Of course if i thinking it too. I have to be honest, most women tend to be able to give other women props for looking good. And it may be seen different with men. But hey! if your single ready to mingle, stroke that ego! stroke that ego!!! LOL

and Lastly

5. Believe in the positive. 

Have conversations in a positive format. 

Sometimes we lose practice of observing, recognizing, acknowledging, admitting, stating, reporting, living ours and other’s positivity that we become brittle folks. Don’t become a Brittle folk! Enjoy life. I mean your breathing for goodness sakes! Make sure you take advantage of that. Live, believe it and show it! I mean I’m Thirty *cough cough* something and I can’t believe I’m already in my thirties. now imagine you, you are either younger or more Mature (yeah you know you liked that!) than me, so make it good. Make it happen! Make is positive! Make it you! Make it life.

and

Smile (if you want to)

Jes Sofia Valle 

Emotionally Ready for School

By Renata Klabacha, LMFT

Whether it’s first day of preschool or first semester of college, children experience a wide range of emotions about returning to school; anxiety, excitement, hope and fear. It’s important to have a conversation to normalize and validate all their feelings.
Many kids are excited and look forward to seeing friends that they haven’t seen during the summer. They get to catch up and share summer adventures. Some children might be nervous to make new friends after a move while others worry that old friends won’t like them anymore. Parents can assure children that many kids feel the same and review how to make or keep friends. The Golden Rule applies to all ages; be kind, friendly, respectful and most of all be themselves. Have your child identify qualities that they possess that others appreciate and enjoy. As your child recognizes these characteristics their self-confidence and self-worth with grow, melting away any fears.
Children also worry about their academic performance. Again validate and normalize their fears. Remind your child that the school’s job is to challenge them and build on their previous knowledge. Explain to your child, that you expect them to have some struggles. This is normal and learning something new can be very difficult. Have your child identify times that they have struggles with an activity and how it got easier as they keep trying. Children with learning disabilities can be very sensitive to any criticism. Inform the teacher of the child’s learning struggles early on and maintain in contact throughout the school year to assure your child is getting the attention he or she needs. With your child, create a list of people who can help and encourage your child to ask for help often. Praise them when they do ask for help. Remind children that they are not competing with other students, they are completing with themselves.
Unfortunately children who have been bullied fear and hate going back to school. Empower your child by role-playing ways to use their voice and stand up to bullies. If your child struggles to protect themselves, reach out to teachers, school staff, and administration for assistance. Outside of school, enroll your child in an activity that makes them feel strong and confident. Any type of martial arts can make a huge difference. It helps a child learn how to physically defend themselves. Rarely, do children use their new martial arts skills to hurt others, since it is not a part of the philosophy. This allows them to better access the situation with the bully, know when to walk away, and brush off any insults; which will make them a less desirable target for bullies. Have your child pass it on, by aiding friends or other students who are also being bullied.
Lastly, find school programs or sports that match your child’s interests. It will build a connection to the school while providing support for parents and student. Assuring that the child will be involved in positive activities.

#Recovery after #Surgery



It is hard to go through a surgery. It is like learning another language. It can be easy and difficult. But all depends on you. The way you see things, the way you interact with the people who are there to help you advance while you recover. 


Here are some Tips to help you with your recovery: 

1. Chillax 

This means calm down and relax. You are in recovery for a reason. It means you are healing from something, wheather it is a physical ailment, such as a broken bone, or surgery, or some sort of trauma, its good to take some time to focus on your body. This includes your mental health.  

This (I can attest) is one of the biggest things that many can have trouble with…What is this sitting down and not doing nothing? It may be foreign for some, but welcome to learning a new language.  Allowing your body and mind to be in sync is the number one thing one HAS to allow to do in order to heal correctly. Make sure you follow your doctors orders on what exercises to do, and what you “can’t do.” 

It takes time to get use to the not doing much while you are not doing your exercises, but you can read book and write, and even play uno with your people. 

2. Listen to your doctor. 
This is one person you have to trust to continue to work well. This person, or people or group of doctors are there for your own good. They are there to make sure that you are able to continue to recuperate, even tho they may annoy you when they tell you not to do something, or that you are doing something too much. 

I know I trust my doctors with my life… 

3. Follow the rules. 
The whole… rules are meant to be broken does not exists in this time of your life. Well, at least not yet. Rules where done because there is something about rules that will keep you safe, wheather is it no bubble baths for a month, or no walking too much or too fast. Or Don’t bend, bend 1/4 of the time, raise your leg, don’t do yoga because you might break open your incision…. they are endless, follow them.

4. Allow people in your life. 
If there is anything that I have learned the hard way is that there will be people who want to help you and be there for you. You just have to say ok. For instance the last time I was going through treatments for my spine, I had friends who would be there for me, but I never let them in. I had men wanting to take care of me and I pushed them away. I learned not to push anyone away. And I also learned that there are the type of people who really and truly want to help you will stay and make sure that you get help too. It goes both ways. Recently, (a few years) I began to be with a group of friends that taught me what friendship was, they found out what was wrong with me, came to me to the ER when I told them I was going through hard time, and other friends came with me to the doctors. They taught me that I needed to tell someone what was going on and allow them to be with me through the hard times. 
You learn who wants to be in your life through the hard times. You learn who wants you in their life after surgery. 

5. Keep your mind busy. 
Just because you can’t move, or shouldn’t move or are told not to move, that does NOT mean that you cannot keep your mind busy. Other than getting a GREAT 8 hours or more of sleep. While you are up, in some pain, reading a book always allows your mind to be distracted from pain. Puzzles from the newspaper, writing down your thoughts, poetry. If your thoughts are too dark, call someone to talk to and make you laugh. You know who your funny friends are, reach out and allow them to make you happy. I recommend that you keep your spirits up. Your mood does have a lot to do with how you heal. If you need to go to therapy, then go. Also, there are some therapist that go to your home, if you cannot go to them for some reason. 
6. Music. 
Listen to music that makes you glad you are alive, and that you like. If the music you listen to is negative and about how you will not do well…. well guess what? Yup, it won’t help you. 

7. Family. 
Some are good, some are no good. You know them better, trust your instinct. I know I’ve counted on my family for a lot of my life. I love them and sometimes you would be surprised who in your family will be there when times get hard. 
8.  Less stress 
Its time to have less stress… if you are not allergic, place some candles in the evening and medicate/Pray whatever you feel comfortable with. 

9. Listen to your doctors. And go to appointments. 

10. Listen to your doctors. 


Smile (if you want to…) 

Jes Sofia

#Adjust to #Change

We are creatures that Move. We move home, apartments, cities, jobs, states, we drive too much and we sit too much too. So what do we do when our “routine” has changed?

Here are some tips to help you Adjust to your new ways.

1. Look for the things you like in your new surrounding area. They may not have your favorite things, but they may have something better. Remember its how you perceive things. If you like your shrimp and veggies, find a place that gives you shrimp and veggies. If you like Trader Joes, then look for a Trader Joes.  Don’t be afraid to try out new things too… part of change is experiencing what you didn’t have before and now you do.

2. Make sure you know where the police station around your new surrounding is at. Safety is always important. Know the hospitals etc. God forbid you need to go one, but its always good to know “just in case.”

3. Take pics of your surroundings. I’m not saying post them on Facebook or Instagram. I’m saying, learn to love where you are around. Find the details that allow you to look for, search the beauty of where you are at. I’ve learned to look at nature. AND I love pictures so it goes hand in hand.

4. Let people who you trust know where you are at. This way, just in case you go off the rid… you have someone know where you are at (Again, safety).

5. Traffic. I know here in Los Angeles (where I’m from) we have traffic at various hours of the day, and other times, we don’t. It all depends on where you are at and where you want to go. use traffic finders to seek what routs would allow you to get to your daily and “normal” routs faster and more efficiently. The last thing you want to do is stay in traffic after a hard days work and you come home to your new place and start to hate it because of it… Oooo child!

6. Enjoy your new change. Accept the fact that you are growing, allowing change in your life and being at one with you and yours.

7. Sit in your new place and allow the good vibes to come on in.

8. Drink water. And DECORATE it pretty to your liking (if you want).

9. Relax as much as possible.

10. Smile.

Hope this helps some.
I talk from experience.

Smile (if you want to).

Jes Sofia 

How to Keep your Children Safe from Predators Online: Sweetie is NOT enough.

If you have not seen…, Sweetie is a new program tailored to capture child sex offenders online. This image as helped track thousands of online sexual predators…  There are many predators out there. But SWEETIE is NOT enough…
Here are some tips to help keep your home safe from such intrusion.
1. Educate yourself about Technology. 
It is very important you do care about technology now-a-day, especially if you have a child. The time of “oh I’m not into technology” is no longer.
It is important to be up to date with technology. Plus, you will feel better about what is going on in your child’s life.
Read about Parent Controls
Note: Know the social media outlets. (They are a lot of applications, but be aware of what your child is using). I recently came back from talking to kids and they said, “If I don’t put my real name out there, then no one knows.” Yes, it’s that serious. Be aware. If you are a teen reading this, be aware.
2. Conversation.
 Now that you know more, have a conversation with your child/teen. It’s hard to talk to them sometimes, but they do listen to you. Keep that line of communication.  And include…
3. Home rules.
It is important to have home rules in general to help keep order in your home. Now more so, its important you add a home rule when it comes to the Internet.
Remember that Internet is a reward, like watching TV.  Mine the hours. A child should not be in front of a TV or computer more than a few hours a day. If they have a project, then spend time helping them with a project. If they are teens, get them into sports. Curricular activities, after school programs to help them keep active. 
You will know if they have a project if you send a quick email to their teachers. Stay accountable of your child’s’ homework, this will also show you care about what they are doing. This will also teach your child how to be accountable.
4. Talk to you children’s friends’ parents.
Keep track on what they are doing? This is why parent teacher day, and back to school nights are important. This is your time to talk to the parents, exchange numbers and really find out what is going on.
5. Be mindful and strict.
Kids need and want rules. Your kids will test you to see how much they can get away with. If you give in, guess what? They get their way. And they will know what to do the next time. When they keep bugging you for the Internet, and your answer is no, mean no. You are teaching them that NO means NO. This will help them understand the meaning of no later on in their life.
6. Keep the conversation flowing at dinner table with your family. 
If you are too busy, well step up and be a parent. You have a child, now take care of them.
7. Note I placed  the word Conversation about three times in this Post. 
Hope this gives you some initiative to be honest with yourself and your child about what are some things happening online.
If you need help teaching your kid here are some links through NSA
 If you are going through more and need help with a therapist:

How to Help Decrease #Anxiety before a #Surgery: Simple Tips

Anxiety is a sign, an alert that something is off. Well when you are about to have surgery HECK YEAH there is something wrong! So of course your anxiety will increase! Boy logic I tell ya. And anxiety before having a surgery is wayyyyy normal. If you didn’t have some anxiety well… you would be a machine. And though most of us are well run oiled machines… we are also humans.
So no, you are not bonkers because you have anxiety before surgery. You are having surgery. It is normal.
So here is a list of things you can do to help you decrease your anxiety before you have surgery, I’ll explain why it’s important too. I will also keep it light because you need to laugh about it a little even though surgery is very serious…
1. Breath…
We go through a lot, and finding out you are having surgery can be shocking. Sometimes we forget to breath because we don’t know “what might happen.” Trust that you will be ok. Breathing allows your muscles to get that oxygen that they need to relax and not be so tense. Also, drinking water is important. (But talk to your doctor about what you need to drink or not drink and by when you should stop drinking anything).
2. If you feel you have to, Cry.
If you have to release your emotions do so! If you have to vent, warn your friend before you start venting so they can be prepared to help you. Don’t get all mad if they are no prepared, find another friend. Call you psychotherapist and set up a session, heck that’s why you pay them for right? 🙂
3. Keep it positive!
We are humans, and thinking of the worst is something we tend to do! LIKE:  WHOOOOOA what am I going to do?! Where is my car?! Hot or cold?? My house! What are my kids going to eat? I can’t cook (some of ya can’t really cook anyways and are talking about I can’t cook for them! LOL). Keep it simple. Keep it calm.
I can tell you from prior experience, it’s hard to do at first, just remind yourself you are an awesome human.
Keeping it positive helps you keep focused. SO…
4. Make a list of questions. 
Ask your doctor and ASK them! This will help with all the “what ifs” which can increase the anxiety. This way you can ask away, talk to the doctor about all your concerns and be honest and that will help you relieve some stress.
5. Make To do list.
Make a list of the things you have to do before your surgery. Why? Because you need to get yourself organized and focused on yourself because you ARE important, let alone if you have kids and dogs or cats! It will also keep you busy and you will feel ready. JUST don’t focus on the List TOO much. If you have friends who offer you help, take it.
Here is my to do list as an Example (example):
1. Tell friends and family (If you don’t tell anyone, they will not know and tell them to bring healthy foods only.)
2.Paperwork needed to be done for work.
3.Tell lead intern to gather and give me date and time for meeting.
4. Pay Bills for next month
5. Buy dog food.
6. Clean house, disinfect   (actually cleaning is a great stress reducer, but if you can’t move don’t do it!)
7. Tell brother/cousin to help with Buddy (Dog, walk morning/night feed).
8. Buy healthy meals freeze (since you can’t cook as you will be in bed rest).
9. Update your will, live will… finance will – be graceful and kind.
10. Take a shower… and eat healthy!
6. Relax
Do some yoga. Meditate and hang out with friends. Put your phone down. It’s important you make time for you and your family. Don’t get too involved in new things… keep it simple.
7. Smile. Laugh. Lunch.
Remember you are getting through it. They are going in you to help “fix” the situation. This is part of your healing process. A friend once told me, you don’t have control of what they do, but you do have control of what happens before and after the surgery. And trust your doctors. Make them some good cupcakes before your surgery and create that positive environment… #justsaying
8. Watch a funny movie. 
I recommend you do NOT watch your surgery that sometimes can give you more anxiety because you will have it in your mind over and over and over… and that is exactly what we are trying to help you work through.
9. Keep it healthy
If you can, work out, stretch your neck (ask your doctor what you can’t and can do). Talk to you Dietitian and ask what you can and cannot eat. And get ready for your healing process. Take a Brisk walk with your kid, partner, dog or cat.
10. Have faith, whatever you believe trust that you will be ok. And one last thing… leave me a comment with more intel 😀 

Smile (if you want to)

Jes Sofia 

Mental Illness and Mental Health: The Psychoeducation of the difference between.

So what is the difference between Mental illness and Mental health?
Mental Illness: According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (2013, nami.org) a mental illness is a medical condition that disrupts a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life.
Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder. The good news about mental illness is that recovery is possible.
Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion or income. Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing. Mental illnesses are treatable. Most people diagnosed with a serious mental illness can experience relief from their symptoms by actively participating in an individual treatment plan.
So what is Mental Health?
Mental health, as defined by the Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health, “refers to the successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and the ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity.”
Mental health refers to our cognitive, and/or emotional wellbeing; is how about how we think, feel and behave. Mental health, if somebody has it, can also mean an absence of a mental disorder. Mental health also includes a person’s ability to enjoy life – to attain a balance between life activities and efforts to achieve psychological resilience  (October 19, 2013, Newstoday.com).
Jes Notes:
One thing I find that I psychoeducate a lot about is that a mental illness, because there are different types, can be like the Cold or flu, at some point someone has had a mental illness. A big one being anxiety. I have yet to see a human not have anxiety in this lifetime. It’s a normal response to life sometimes. It’s a natural response to help you alert you… What then makes it an illness is when you don’t know how to work through it.  And note I said THROUGH it. Because just like a cold or flu, it is a process. You have to let the symptoms takes its course. And No, I am not saying that a mental illness is a virus. It’s a simile.  So let me give you another example, Its like having headaches… it’s a response to your body that alerts you, that makes you see that something is off your personal balance.
You see, people who live, that would be us… go through life and push through and are resilient and make things happen, because we are “health” that does not obtain us from having anxiety when we are stressed or sadness when someone passes. All these things being, it is a “normal” response to how our body reacts to pain.
It’s when it gets out of “control” that we begin to suffer with the Mental illness labels.  If you don’t rest and you keep chugging with a simple cold, it can turn into pneumonia (label) right?  So a mental illness is the same.
As a psychotherapist, I’m constantly psychoeducating how a mental illness is not a fault of anyone. It’s an illness. Just like the flu where you have to rest up and take meds if you need to and then try to sort it all out and get better. It takes time, want and patience. Just like a lot of things we already go through in this world.
I hope this gives you a little bit of new or supportive knowledge.
Kindly,
Jes Sofia 
Disclaimer: If you do need help, please seek it. Call your physician, doctor, mental health therapist, advocate, 911 if it is emergent, or contact your local NAMI offices for support.