What Are The Characteristics Of Mental Health?

In the first place, the well adjusted person feels comfortable about himself.  He has self respect.  He can 'live with himself' on pretty good terms most of the time.  He has a realistic concept of his capabilities and his limitations.  He has learned to accept his shortcomings, if he has found he cannot improve them.  He is willing to exert his capabilities to the maximum along constructive lines.  He understands that he has emotions and that they are strong and deep rooted, but he does not let them overwhelm him.  He has, through the years, approached an 'emotional maturity' that is in keeping with ideals of the social structure in which he lives.  He realizes that life provides disappointments as well as successes, and has learned to take both in stride.  He possesses that valuable ability of being able to laugh at himself and not take himself too seriously.

A second characteristic of a mentally healthy person lies in his relationships to other people.  He feels comfortable within himself about them.  He likes people and trusts them and expects them to like and trust him.  He respects the cultural differences of other people. He is not overly aggressive in his dealings with people, nor does he allow them to be aggressive with him.  

In third place, mentally healthy people feel able to meet the usual demands of life.  They face their problems; shape their environment when it is possible, and adjust to it when necessary.  They do not fear the future, but plan ahead, setting realistic goals.  They are able to arrive at decisions, after having considered the ramifications involved.