What is Mental Fitness?
Physical and mental fitness are equally important to achieve wellness in all areas of life. While physical fitness is our ability to physically function, mental fitness is about growth, thinking, and performing at our best. It embraces the idea that when we are mentally fit, we can lean into challenges and navigate change and stressors. This involves actively working to take care of our mental well-being and our physical health.
What is the Relationship between Mental Health and Mental Fitness?
Simply stated, mental fitness embraces a proactive approach to our mental health. While mental health is often viewed as a current state, mental fitness embraces a proactive view, including preparing for and managing life's challenges with resilience. An understanding of mental fitness and its relationship to mental health is important to our overall mental well-being. By providing education and awareness, we seek to empower individuals to proactively maintain overall mental health.
Resources
Mental Health Foundation contains services, resources, mental health advocacy, articles, and ways to be involved whether a professional, caregiver, patient, or individual wanting to support mental health.
Hunterdon County Mental Health Services provides resources and support for those impacted with mental illness by advocating for efficient, accessible, high-quality mental health programs and services.
National Council for Mental Well-being focuses on making mental well-being a core of healthcare. They supply local, state, and federal resources to find care as well as provide Mental Health First Aid Training (MHFA) to identify, respond, and understand signs and symptoms of mental and substance abuse challenges.
Home - John W Brick Foundation offers a range of resources for crisis support, treatment, and counseling. Explore topics such as sleep, nutrition, music, outdoor activities, and body movement to better understand the connection between mental health and healthy lifestyle choices.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is a government entity that studies mental health conditions. Check out the Health Topics section of the NIMH website for basic information on a wide range of mental health topics, including conditions, treatments, therapies, and more.
National Alliance on Mental Illness of Hunterdon County (NAMI) is a county-based nonprofit dedicated to reducing stigma and providing resources about mental illness. It has lots of excellent information and resources for young adults, children, veterans, and active duty personnel about living with a mental health condition, insurance, and managing symptoms. Check out their podcast Hope Starts With Us.
American Mental Wellness Association shares wellness tools, support services, as well as prevention education.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a government agency dedicated to improving Americans’ behavioral health. The agency focuses on mental health, substance misuse, and recovery. SAMHSA has a free treatment finder and a 24/7 helpline that can help you find mental health or substance misuse treatment.
Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) is supported by SAMHSA and works to advance suicide-prevention strategies. Visit their online library for tools, fact sheets, and more resources related to suicide prevention and safety plans.
Mental Health America (MHA) is a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to promoting the overall mental health of Americans. MHA is a great place to be connected to a warmline—a phone number you can call just to talk about your mental health or get support—mental health screening tools, and resources on how to find help for yourself or help someone else in your life.
The Trevor Project is a nonprofit that supports the mental health of LGBTQIA+ teens and youth. They offer a 24/7 help line and an online community to connect with other LGBTQIA+ youth.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Hunterdon County contains resources, tips, and workshops related to mindful eating.
ShopRite Well EveryDay is ShopRite’s Wellness services that include cooking classes, workshops, and consultations. Visit your local ShopRite and meet with a nutritionist.
America’s Grow a Row provides fresh produce, education/classes about hunger, farming, and health eating. Check out the Free Farm Market Program and volunteer opportunities.
Meals on Wheels in Hunterdon is a local organization that is dedicated to serving the older and disabled population with nutritional support and meal delivery services.
American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics learn about the different food groups, meal planning/preparation, essential nutrients, wellness subjects, physical activity benefits, recipes, and special considerations for ages and genders.
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion shares tools, fact sheets, videos, and physical activity guidelines for children, adults, older adults, parents, and during and post pregnancy.
National Institutes of Health provides physical wellness toolkits that include getting active, building healthy habits, maintaining your muscles, and much more! Also check out the tips that you can use when talking with your doctor about your health.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention shares the importance of physical activity and how to begin having an active lifestyle.
Calm: Mental Fitness Guide Calm is an app that promotes mental health by providing information and exercises for stress management, physical movement, mindful connection, and creating a routine. Download the mental fitness guide to learn more!
Project School Wellness provides educational and impactful ways to promote health in schools and with students. Check out the dimensions of health, healthy skills, and other resources to better share wellness information and tools to students.
- The Art of Managing Stress April 23, 2024
- Move More Mental Wellness Community Day May 4, 2024