Understanding Mental Health and Well-Being
Mental health affects how we think, feel, and behave in daily life. Everyone experiences emotional ups and downs, but when sadness becomes constant, a person may feel depressed or even develop depression, a mental illness that makes everyday activities hard to enjoy. Sometimes, people also feel tense or full of nervous energy when they face stress at work or school. Others experience frustration when goals seem out of reach or progress is slow. Feeling embarrassed about emotions is common, but opening up about them is an important step toward healing.
In some cases, stress and emotional pressure can lead to a breakdown, when someone temporarily loses the ability to cope with daily responsibilities. A few people may suffer from panic attacks, which bring sudden feelings of fear, fast breathing, and a racing heart. Others might struggle with a phobia, an extreme fear of objects or situations such as flying or speaking in public. These experiences show that mental health challenges can affect anyone.
There are many ways to improve well-being and overcome difficulties. Some people join a support group where they can share feelings and learn from others with similar problems. Talking through worries during therapy can also help people reflect on their emotions and understand their thoughts better. Regular self-care routines, such as spending time outdoors, sleeping well, or practicing yoga, can help the body and mind relax. When emotions feel too strong, it’s important to calm down, concentrate on breathing, and not ignore the need for rest or help.
Developing a positive mindset supports long-term recovery. It means focusing on what can be changed instead of what cannot. Many people find that spiritual growth, through meditation, kindness, or community involvement, helps them heal emotionally and find meaning even after difficult experiences. Good mental health does not mean being happy all the time; it means learning to balance emotions, ask for help when needed, and keep working toward a healthy, peaceful life.
In some cases, stress and emotional pressure can lead to a breakdown, when someone temporarily loses the ability to cope with daily responsibilities. A few people may suffer from panic attacks, which bring sudden feelings of fear, fast breathing, and a racing heart. Others might struggle with a phobia, an extreme fear of objects or situations such as flying or speaking in public. These experiences show that mental health challenges can affect anyone.
There are many ways to improve well-being and overcome difficulties. Some people join a support group where they can share feelings and learn from others with similar problems. Talking through worries during therapy can also help people reflect on their emotions and understand their thoughts better. Regular self-care routines, such as spending time outdoors, sleeping well, or practicing yoga, can help the body and mind relax. When emotions feel too strong, it’s important to calm down, concentrate on breathing, and not ignore the need for rest or help.
Developing a positive mindset supports long-term recovery. It means focusing on what can be changed instead of what cannot. Many people find that spiritual growth, through meditation, kindness, or community involvement, helps them heal emotionally and find meaning even after difficult experiences. Good mental health does not mean being happy all the time; it means learning to balance emotions, ask for help when needed, and keep working toward a healthy, peaceful life.
Key Vocabulary:
Mental and Emotional States
depressed — [dɪˈprest] — unhappy and without hope; depresīvs
depression — [dɪˈpreʃ.ən] — a mental illness that causes long periods of sadness and loss of interest; depresija
embarrassed — [ɪmˈbær.əst] — feeling ashamed or shy; apmulsis, nokaunējies
frustration — [frʌˈstreɪ.ʃn] — the feeling of being annoyed or disappointed when you can’t achieve something; neapmierinātība, vilšanās
tense — [tens] — nervous and worried, unable to relax; saspringts, saspīlēts
depressed — [dɪˈprest] — unhappy and without hope; depresīvs
depression — [dɪˈpreʃ.ən] — a mental illness that causes long periods of sadness and loss of interest; depresija
embarrassed — [ɪmˈbær.əst] — feeling ashamed or shy; apmulsis, nokaunējies
frustration — [frʌˈstreɪ.ʃn] — the feeling of being annoyed or disappointed when you can’t achieve something; neapmierinātība, vilšanās
tense — [tens] — nervous and worried, unable to relax; saspringts, saspīlēts
tension — [ˈten.ʃən] — a feeling of nervousness before an important or difficult event; saspīlējums
Mental Health Conditions
breakdown — [ˈbreɪk.daʊn] — a failure to cope emotionally or mentally; sabrukums
mental illness — [ˌmen.təl ˈɪl.nəs] — an illness that affects the mind or emotions; garīga rakstura slimība
panic attack — [ˈpæn.ɪk əˌtæk] — a sudden feeling of extreme fear and fast heartbeat; panikas lēkme
phobia — [ˈfəʊ.bi.ə] — an extreme fear of something; fobija, uzmācīgas bailes
Actions, Treatment and Practices
calm down — [kɑːm daʊn] — to stop feeling upset, angry, or excited, or to help someone do this; nomierināties
concentrate (on) — [ˈkɒn.sən.treɪt] — to give your full attention to something; koncentrēties (uz)
cope (with) — [kəʊp] — to deal successfully with a difficult situation; tikt galā (ar)
heal — [hiːl] — to become healthy again after illness or pain; dziedēt, atveseļoties
ignore — [ɪɡˈnɔːr] — to intentionally not listen or give attention to something; ignorēt, nepievērst uzmanību
overcome — [ˌəʊ.vəˈkʌm] — to defeat or succeed in dealing with a problem; pārvarēt, pieveikt
positive mindset — [ˈpɒz.ɪ.tɪv ˈmaɪnd.set] — a habit of thinking in a hopeful, confident way; pozitīvs domāšanas veids
reflect (on) — [rɪˈflekt ɒn] — to think carefully about something; pārdomāt, apdomāt
self-care — [ˌselfˈkeə] — actions you take to look after your own health and happiness; rūpes par sevi; pašaprūpe
spiritual growth — [ˈspɪr.ɪ.tʃu.əl ɡrəʊθ] — development of your inner self; garīgā izaugsme
support group — [səˈpɔːt ɡruːp] — a group of people who help each other with similar problems; atbalsta grupa
therapy — [ˈθer.ə.pi] — treatment that helps someone feel better or stronger; terapija
yoga — [ˈjəʊ.ɡə] — a set of physical and mental exercises that help control the body and mind; joga
Practice: now that you have learned the key vocabulary, it is time to use it in practice. Think how you would answer the discussion-type questions, which will help you develop the ability to give longer answers and practise how to express your opinion — just as in an English exam or real conversation. For each question, an answer prompt is available to guide you.
Discussion-Type Questions
1.Why do some people find it difficult to talk about their mental health?
"Personally, I believe many people struggle to open up about their mental health because they feel embarrassed or worry about being judged. In some societies, showing emotions isn’t seen as acceptable, which creates silence. For example, some men still feel they must appear strong. However, it is vital to talk about emotions openly, as communication plays a meaningful role in emotional healing. In my opinion, honesty and empathy are essential for reducing stigma."
1.Why do some people find it difficult to talk about their mental health?
"Personally, I believe many people struggle to open up about their mental health because they feel embarrassed or worry about being judged. In some societies, showing emotions isn’t seen as acceptable, which creates silence. For example, some men still feel they must appear strong. However, it is vital to talk about emotions openly, as communication plays a meaningful role in emotional healing. In my opinion, honesty and empathy are essential for reducing stigma."
2.What are some effective ways to cope with stress and anxiety?
"From my perspective, finding personal routines is crucial for managing stress. Activities such as yoga and meditation help people calm down and concentrate on their breathing. Others prefer spending time outdoors or sharing worries with friends. Practising self-care and keeping a positive mindset are also key to emotional balance. In my view, it’s essential to rest, recharge, and take small steps every day to stay mentally healthy."
3.What should people do if they feel they are having a breakdown?
"Personally, I think getting help quickly is vital when someone feels close to a breakdown. It’s essential not to ignore the signs or try to manage everything alone. Speaking to a professional through therapy or joining a support group can help a person overcome fear and heal emotionally. In my view, asking for help is a significant act of courage that shows strength and self-awareness."
4.Why is having a positive mindset important for mental health?
"In my opinion, having a positive mindset is essential for emotional strength. It helps people stay motivated and focus on what can be improved rather than what’s going wrong. For example, someone struggling with depression may recover faster by recognising small successes. Personally, I feel that optimism is a meaningful way to overcome frustration and build resilience. Positivity is not about ignoring problems but facing them with hope and patience."
5.What can schools or workplaces do to support mental health?
"From my perspective, schools and workplaces have a central role in supporting mental health. It’s crucial to create open environments where no one feels embarrassed to ask for help. Offering workshops, therapy sessions, or quiet zones can make a significant difference. Personally, I believe it’s vital that teachers and managers receive training to recognise stress. A supportive atmosphere is key to both productivity and emotional well-being."
Learn: the word "important" is one of the most common adjectives in English, but using it too often can make your speaking and writing sound repetitive. Discussion questions above contained some synonyms for “important” that express similar ideas with slightly different meanings.
Vocabulary Corner:
essential — [ɪˈsen.ʃəl] — absolutely necessary or a key part of something; būtisks, nepieciešams
key — [kiː] — very important and necessary for success; galvenais, svarīgs
major — [ˈmeɪ.dʒər] — very large, serious, or having great influence; būtisks, nozīmīgs
meaningful — [ˈmiː.nɪŋ.fəl] — having real value, purpose, or importance; jēgpilns, nozīmīgs
relevant — [ˈrel.ə.vənt] — directly connected to what is being discussed or done; atbilstošs, svarīgs konkrētā situācijā
significant — [sɪɡˈnɪf.ɪ.kənt] — important and having a noticeable effect or meaning; nozīmīgs, ievērojams
valuable — [ˈvæl.jʊ.bəl] — very helpful or beneficial; vērtīgs
vital — [ˈvaɪ.təl] — absolutely necessary for success or survival; dzīvībai svarīgs, būtisks