What is Holistic Mental Health
What is Holistic Mental Health?
In today’s modern world, with the use of science there is now a reawakening of ancient medicinal theories which many call alternative medicine, which is based upon the interrelations of mind, body and spirit. Alternative medicine is generally influenced by eastern philosophies, and since the early 1960’s there has been a merging of alternative and conventional medicines. This has been brought about by the attention paid to holistic medicine through scientific research linking mind and body. Research has concluded that people who seek out alternative therapies are at least partly motivated by the desire to take responsibility for their own mental health.
A Holistic approach to mental health care including on line services called Connect, is one that emphasizes the interrelationship between mind, body, and spirit. Although some alternative approaches have a long history, many remain controversial, people are finding that it works better, have less side effects and can be cost effective.
Holistic mental health understands that traditional medicine or psychology has a limited understanding and knowledge about the role of body chemistry in mental health and the impact of diet, nutrition, and chemicals in the environment on the brain. Mental health is extremely affected by issues such as food allergies, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, hypoglycemia- low blood sugar, and thyroid.
Traditional medicine also overlooks the powerful roles that spirituality plays on the emotional body and aspect of soul, our connection to spirit should be taken into consideration in the process of healing. A good sense of spirituality promotes healthy self-esteem, better motivation, and helps people come to terms with powerful inner experiences. Medical studies indicate that spiritual people exhibit fewer self-destructive behaviors such as drugs, alcohol, gambling and risk taking behaviors.
Addressing mental health issues holistically means being able to look at the system as a whole. Clients have an array of options in holistic mental health and are empowered with the fact that they have a choice in their treatment option. The client as well as the holistic health care provider work together as a team to make sure the body the mind and the spirit is being treated as a whole.