Assemblyman Leland Yee: January is 'Mental Wellness' Month

The month of January is a time for new beginnings. Many of us make New Year's resolutions to lose weight, eat better or get in shape. We want to look better and feel better in the New Year. But there is an important element to personal well-being that often goes neglected or overlooked. Mental well-being is just as vital as physical well-being.

As part of my 2003-04 legislative package, I will be introducing an Assembly Concurrent Resolution proclaiming the month of January "Mental Wellness Month" in California. I feel this is a valuable opportunity to bring public awareness to the concept of mental wellness.

Mental wellness involves striving to meet emotional needs constructively by maintaining good mental health, a positive attitude, high self-esteem and a strong self-image. Good mental wellness is the ability to respond resiliently to emotional states and the flow of life every day, as well as dealing with a variety of situations realistically and learning more about yourself and how things you do affect your feelings.

Have you ever found yourself angry or agitated for what seems like no reason at all? Do you ever snap at someone without meaning to? Do people tell you that you seem moody? These could be signs that you are experiencing the negative effects of mental or emotional stress.

The day-to-day stresses that many of us face, such as long commutes in heavy traffic, meeting the demands of a busy schedule, or not spending enough time with our families or friends can all take a toll on our mental well-being, whether we realize it or not.

Just as a healthy diet and exercise, or lack thereof, can affect our physical wellbeing, there are many things we can do to contribute to our mental well-being. Recognizing and addressing some of the daily stresses that can lead us to unhappiness is one of the first steps we can take towards improving our mental wellness. While there are many daily stresses that are beyond our control, you may be surprised at how many you can control, with very little effort. If sitting in traffic tends to ruin your day, try adjusting your work hours to avoid peak commute times or take public transit. If constant interruptions at work put you on edge, resolve to practice time-management techniques at work.

In addition to doing little things to make day-to-day tasks run more smoothly, it is important to take time during the day to address our own needs, rather than focusing purely on the needs of others. Yoga and meditation are great ways to relax and let go of some of the excess stress that accumulates during the day. Additionally, studies have shown that regular exercise, even something as simple as walking, has a positive impact on the treatment of patients with mental or psychological disorders.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 22.1 percent of Americans aged 18 and older ­ about one in five adults ­ suffer from a mental disorder in a given year. While we are still learning about many of these disorders, we do know that practicing good mental wellness techniques can help ward off depression and stress-related anxiety, as well as other symptoms of many mental disorders.

I encourage you to make a resolution to foster mental wellness in yourself and those around you.

Assemblyman Leland Yee is the assistant speaker pro tempore at the California Assembly.