Pointing to the importance of positive psychology and well-being for mental health, experts say that positive psychology is based on health, not illness. They emphasize that it is not the magnitude of the problems experienced, but how strong the individual is able to remain in the face of these problems. According to experts, positive psychology gives us the opportunity to realize our own strength and to capture a positive perspective. It shows us the ability to realize all aspects of life. The outlook on life can also change in a positive direction, offering a key to the option of being happy or unhappy.
With the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, October 10 of each year has been commemorated as "World Mental Health Day" since 1992. On this special day, it is aimed to raise public awareness about mental health and to promote preventive studies and treatment services against mental disorders. This year's theme is suicide.
Positive psychology is based on health, not disease
NPISTANBUL Hospital Specialist Clinical Psychologist İhsan Öztekin said that the concepts of positive psychology and well-being are important for mental health. Öztekin said that the concept of "well-being" refers to the physical, emotional and mental health of the individual; on the other hand, it also refers to the state of being able to achieve satisfaction, inner peace and happiness from the current situation. Specialist Clinical Psychologist İhsan Öztekin said, "At this point, positive psychology focuses on positive characteristics of people instead of pathological, negative thoughts and behaviors on the basis of protecting mental health. It starts from health, not disease. Well-being here is not only the absence of diseases, but a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being."
Questioning the meaning of life develops the individual
Referring to the effects of positively questioning the meaning of life in mental health, Specialist Clinical Psychologist İhsan Öztekin said, "A lifestyle that does not question the meaning of life is a purposeless and primitive way of life, like a leaf caught in the wind, like a leaf that does not know where it will go, completely guided and influenced by environmental conditions. It creates the ground for dissatisfaction and unhappiness. However, the most important feature that distinguishes human beings from other living things is that they can think and question life from different angles. The awareness that develops as a result of this questioning improves the individual's ability to direct his/her life. It gives the opportunity to develop individual characteristics, strengths of personality and positive emotions. This development also plays a very important role in the protection of mental health."
Positive psychology helps to realize existing values
Stating that the positive psychology perspective positively affects mental health while questioning the meaning of life, Specialist Clinical Psychologist İhsan Öztekin said, "People can drown in daily events, problems and intense rush in the flow of life. Responsibilities, the tasks that have to be done, the struggle to survive and survive, can cause life to be pessimistic, tired, stressful, fearful and anxious. From depression to phobias, from panic attacks to obsessions, from sleep disorders to eating disorders, from addiction to lack of self-confidence, the door to many ailments opens wide open. However, if we look at our lives from the outside, we see that we have many things that are too valuable to be measured with money. We can realize many beauties that we miss and cannot see in the flow of life. At this point, positive psychology can play a very effective role in seeing the values in our lives and creating this awareness. It can make us realize the riches that we cannot see in our lives but that we actually have."
The important thing is to stay strong in the face of problems
Noting that the strongest emotion behind suicide is hopelessness, Specialist Clinical Psychologist İhsan Öztekin said that what creates the feeling of hopelessness is the thought that "my problems are unsolvable, there is nothing I can do". Noting that this thought is not a solution but the worst end, Öztekin said, "However, if we look at the phenomenon of suicide from the perspective of positive psychology, no matter what problem or problems we face, our perspective on the problems determines the outcome. It is not what we experience in life, but how we perceive and evaluate what we experience that is decisive. Life consists of two windows. Which window we look through makes us happy or unhappy. If one of two bankrupt businessmen jumps off a bridge and commits suicide, while the other continues his life and becomes stronger, it is because they look at life from different windows. What matters is not the magnitude of the problems experienced, but how strong the individual can remain in the face of these problems. At this point, positive psychology gives us the opportunity to realize our own strength and capture a positive perspective. This is not to play Pollyannism, but to show the ability to realize life in all its aspects. This skill can be developed with positive psychology. The view of life can be changed in a positive way."