In an era where mental health challenges are increasingly widespread, this pioneering publication offers readers practical, evidence-based strategies to cultivate psychological resilience and promote positive mental health behaviours. Drawing on research from health psychology, cognitive behavioural therapy, positive psychology, and neuroscience, it outlines a comprehensive framework for understanding and enhancing mental well-being. The book clarifies complex psychological concepts such as emotional intelligence, mindfulness, self-compassion, the significance of social connections in mental health, the importance of resilience and post-traumatic growth, the impact of nutrition and lifestyle on mental health, the necessity of self-care and boundary-setting, the relationship between trauma, stress, and mental health, and the value of seeking professional assistance, transforming these ideas into accessible tools for everyday life. At its core, it presents a thorough framework that explains the interconnections among thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Readers are taught practical techniques for emotional regulation, stress management, and cognitive restructuring, all grounded in neuroplasticity and habit formation research. From morning routines to evening reflective practices, each chapter constructs a comprehensive toolkit for psychological well-being. What sets this publication apart is its focus on sustainability. Rather than suggesting temporary solutions, readers learn how to enact lasting positive change through evidence-based strategies and real-world applications. The book addresses individual practices and environmental factors, helping readers foster supportive relationships and create environments conducive to mental health. Whether pursuing personal growth or seeking academic and professional insights, this guide provides individuals with the knowledge and tools necessary to cultivate and sustain positive mental health behaviours over the long term. It is notable for its practical methodology, scientific foundations, and compassionate recognition of the challenges associated with enhancing mental health. Ultimately, readers will understand how to cultivate and maintain positive mental health behaviours, fully equipped with strategies that can be seamlessly integrated into their daily lives.
Imprint: Global Digital Mental Health Ltd
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
ISBN: 9781739087791
ISBN 10: 1739087798
Pages: 618
Publication Date: 06 February 2025
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Table of Contents About the Author. i INTRODUCTION.. 1 CHAPTER 1: Evolved Perspectives of Mental Health.. 4 Emotional Wellbeing: Essential for Healthy Mental State. 5 Psychological Wellbeing: Essential for Healthy Mental State. 7 Social Wellbeing: Essential for Healthy Mental State. 10 The Importance of Positive Mental Health. 13 Positive Mental Health: Behaviour and Decision-Making. 16 Positive Mental Health and Interpersonal Relationships 19 The Role of Self-Care in Mental Health. 22 CHAPTER 2: The Psychology of Stress. 25 Understanding Stress: Definitions and Concepts 25 The Physiological Response to Stress 27 Sources of Stress: Identifying Triggers 31 Coping Mechanisms: Adaptive and Maladaptive Strategies 36 Evidence-Based Stress Management Techniques 41 Mindfulness and Stress Reduction. 43 The Long-Term Impacts of Chronic Stress 47 Historical Timeline of Chronic Stress Research. 47 CHAPTER 3: Understanding Anxiety Disorders. 51 Defining Anxiety Disorders 51 The Enigmatic Case of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) 51 Panic Disorder: The Anatomy of Fear 52 Social Anxiety Disorder: The Fear of Being Judged. 53 Other Anxiety Disorders: The Spectrum of Fear Beyond GAD, Panic Disorder, and Social Anxiety Disorder. 53 The Interplay Between Anxiety Disorders and Chronic Stress 54 The Epidemiology of Anxiety Disorders 54 Prevalence and Incidence Rates of Anxiety Disorders 54 Symptomatology and Diagnosis 56 Understanding Anxiety Disorder Symptoms 57 Etiological Factors in Anxiety Disorders 60 Impact of Anxiety on Daily Functioning. 67 Co-morbidity With Other Mental Health Conditions 70 Innovations in Anxiety Disorder Treatments 73 CHAPTER 4: Defining Depression: A Critical Distinction from Ordinary Sadness. 77 Depression: More than Mere Sadness 78 The Impact on Daily Functioning and Quality of Life. 78 Laying the Groundwork for Understanding Depressive Disorders 79 Types of Depressive Disorders 79 Biopsychosocial Model of Depression. 83 Biological Underpinnings of Depression. 86 Psychological Factors in Depression. 89 Social Influences on Depression. 92 Common Symptoms of Depression. 95 Evidence-Based Treatment Modalities 97 Case Studies in Treating Depression. 100 CHAPTER 5: Building Resilience and Coping Skills. 104 The Importance of a Growth Mindset: Unlocking Resilience and Coping Skills in the Face of Adversity. 108 Fostering Social Connections 110 Problem-Solving Skills 112 Mindfulness as a Coping Strategy. 116 The Concept of Mindfulness 116 EvidenceBased Effectiveness 117 Cognitive Restructuring Techniques 120 Emotional Regulation Strategies 122 Building Self-Compassion. 126 Case Study: Resilience in Action. 129 CHAPTER 6: The Role of Physical Activity in Mental Health.. 133 The Psychological Benefits of Exercise. 135 Mechanisms Behind Exercise and Mental Health. 137 Types of Physical Activity and Their Impact 139 Exercise and Stress Reduction. 142 Exercise Programmes for Mental Well-being. 144 Case Studies: Success Stories 147 Overcoming Common Barriers to Physical Activity. 150 Practical Recommendations for Integrating Physical Activity. 154 CHAPTER 7: Mindfulness and Mental Health.. 157 Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) 159 Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) 162 The Neuroscience of Mindfulness 164 Mindfulness Techniques and Exercises 167 Mindfulness in Everyday Life. 172 Case Studies: Mindfulness in Action. 174 Challenges and Misconceptions About Mindfulness 178 Future Directions in Mindfulness Research. 181 CHAPTER 8: Societal Expectations and Mental Health.. 184 The Role of Social Media. 187 Cultural Norms and Mental Health. 190 The Fast-Paced Modern Lifestyle. 192 Case Study: Social Media and Adolescent Mental Health. 195 Evidence-Based Strategies to Mitigate Societal Pressures 197 Fostering a Supportive Community. 200 Practising Self-Compassion. 204 The Future of Societal Norms and Mental Health. 206 CHAPTER 9: Building Emotional Resilience. 210 The Science Behind Emotional Resilience. 213 Adaptive Coping Skills 217 Positive Thinking and Optimism.. 220 Emotional Regulation Techniques 223 Building Supportive Relationships 226 Similarities between Self-Compassion & Supportive Relationships 229 The Role of Mindfulness in Resilience. 230 Resilience in the Face of Adversity. 234 CHAPTER 10: The Power of Positive Psychology in Mental Health.. 238 The Science of Happiness 241 Identifying and Leveraging Strengths: A Path to Improved Mental Health and Life Satisfaction. 246 Cultivating Gratitude. 249 The Role of Optimism.. 252 Enhancing Positive Relationships 255 Mindfulness and Positive Psychology. 257 Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. 260 Positive Interventions: Evidence-Based Approaches 263 CHAPTER 11: Self-Compassion and Self-Acceptance. 266 The Psychological Benefits of Self-Compassion. 270 The Psychological Benefits of Self-Acceptance. 273 Practical Exercises for Cultivating Self-Compassion. 276 Practical Exercises for Enhancing Self-Acceptance. 279 Reducing Self-Criticism Through Self-Compassion. 282 The Duality of Self-Criticism and Self-Compassion. 282 The Relevance of Comparing Self-Criticism and Self-Compassion. 282 Current Events: The Rise of Self-Compassion. 284 Case Studies: Self-Compassion in Practice. 285 Case Studies: Self-Acceptance in Practice. 287 CHAPTER 12: Coping with Trauma and Mental Health.. 290 Symptoms and Diagnosis of PTSD.. 293 The Neurobiological Consequences of Trauma Exposure. 296 Evidence-Based Treatments for Trauma. 299 Integrative Approaches to Trauma Therapy. 303 Building Resilience After Trauma. 305 The Role of Social Support in Trauma Recovery. 309 Addressing Trauma in Specific Populations 311 CHAPTER 13: Mental Health Across the Lifespan.. 315 Early Childhood: Foundations of Mental Health. 315 Young Adulthood: Transitioning to Independence. 319 Midlife: Balancing Multiple Responsibilities 322 Older Adulthood: Coping with Change and Loss 325 Intergenerational Influences on Mental Health. 329 The Role of Early Interventions: A Critical Aspect of Mental Health Care. 333 Cultural and Societal Contexts in Lifespan Mental Health. 335 The Interplay Between Cultural Identity and Mental Health: A Complex Dance. 335 Advancing Mental Health Research Across the Lifespan: The Role of Digital Technologies 338 The Neuroscience of Mental Health: Unravelling the Complexities of the Brain. 340 CHAPTER 14: The Interconnection Between Mind and Body. 343 Defining the Interconnection: Unravelling the Enigma of Psychosomatic Health. 343 The Provoking Question: Can Exercise Be a Panacea for Mental Health? 345 The Interplay between Nutrition and Mental Well-being. 347 The Role of Sleep in Mental Health. 350 Exercise Programmes for Mental Wellness 353 Dietary Interventions for Mental Health. 356 Sleep Hygiene Practices 358 Holistic Approaches to Health. 360 Case Studies in Physical and Mental Health Integration. 363 CHAPTER 15: The Stigma of Mental Illness. 366 The Psychological Impact of Stigma. 369 Media's Role in Perpetuating Stigma. 371 Societal Attitudes and Discrimination. 373 Combating Stigma Through Education. 376 Advocacy and Policy Change Implementing Effective Advocacy Strategies 379 The Future of Mental Health: A Culture of Empathy and Understanding. 385 The Role of Healthcare Professionals 385 Step-by-Step Guide to Promoting Mental Health Literacy. 388 CHAPTER 16: The Digital Revolution in Mental Health.. 393 Teletherapy: A New Era in Counselling. 395 Mental Health Apps: Tools for Well-being. 400 Online Support Groups: Community in the Digital Age. 402 Cyberbullying: A Digital Threat to Mental Health. 405 Digital Addiction: Balancing Technology Use. 408 Ethics and Privacy in Digital Mental Health. 410 Harnessing AI and Machine Learning for Mental Health. 412 Future Directions: Technology and Mental Health. 415 CHAPTER 17: Creative Therapies for Mental Health.. 418 Art Therapy: Healing Through Visual Expression. 421 Music Therapy: The Power of Sound. 423 Drama Therapy: Role-Playing for Transformation. 425 Comparative Effectiveness of Creative Therapies 427 Integrating Creative Therapies in Clinical Practice. 429 Case Studies in Art Therapy. 433 Case Studies in Music Therapy. 436 CHAPTER 18: The Intersection of Spirituality and Mental Health.. 442 Historical Perspectives on Spirituality in Mental Health. 444 Defining Spirituality and Religious Practices 447 How Spirituality Influences Mental Health. 450 Spiritual Coping Mechanisms and Mental Resilience. 452 Case Studies: Spirituality in Mental Health Interventions 455 When Spirituality and Mental Health Clash. 461 Integrating Spirituality into Mental Health Care. 464 CHAPTER 19: The Science of Behaviour Change Theories. 469 Cognitive Theories: The Health Belief Model (HBM) 470 Behavioural Theories: The Operant Conditioning Theory (OCT) 471 Social Theories: The Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) 471 Connecting Behaviour Change Theories to Spirituality. 471 The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) 472 The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) 474 Case Study: Promoting Exercise among Individuals with Depression. 474 Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) 478 Goal-Setting Techniques 481 Self-Monitoring and Feedback. 483 Reinforcement Techniques 486 Integrating Behaviour Change into Mental Health Interventions 492 CHAPTER 20: Community Mental Health Interventions. 496 Defining Community Mental Health Interventions 498 Designing Effective Community Interventions 501 Peer Support Programmes 505 Mental Health Education and Awareness Campaigns 509 Public Health Campaigns and Mental Health. 511 Implementing School-Based Mental Health Programmes 515 Community Resilience Building. 517 Evaluating Community Mental Health Interventions 520 CHAPTER 21: Mental Health Intervention Evaluation.. 524 Understanding Methodologies 526 Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) 529 Qualitative Research in Mental Health. 532 Mixed-Methods Approaches 535 The Role of Evidence-Based Practice. 538 Continuous Evaluation and Improvement 540 Outcome Measurement Tools 543 Ethical Considerations in Evaluation. 546 Future Directions in Intervention Evaluation. 548 CHAPTER 22: Advancements in Genetics and Mental Health.. 552 Neuroscience and Mental Health: The Next Frontier 555 Digital Health Technologies: Transforming Mental Health Care. 557 Global Mental Health Initiatives: A Beacon of Hope in Addressing Widespread Mental Health Disparities 559 Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health. 563 Telepsychiatry: Bridging the Gap. 566 The Role of Preventive Mental Health Strategies 568 Ethical and Legal Considerations in Future Mental Health Care. 571 Defining Terms 571 Advocacy and Policy Development for Mental Health. 573 CHAPTER 23: Conclusion and Call to Action.. 576 Emotional Intelligence and Awareness 577 The Power of Mindfulness and Self-Compassion. 577 The Role of Social Connections in Mental Health. 578 The Importance of Resilience and Post-Traumatic Growth. 578 The Food-Mood Connection: A Comprehensive Exploration of Mental Wellness 579 The Significance of Self-Care and Boundary Setting. 580 The Interplay between Trauma, Stress, and Mental Health. 581 The Value of Seeking Professional Help and Support 582 Individual Responsibility and Self-Care. 584 Policy Implications and Advocacy. 587 Future Directions and Innovations 590 Hopeful Outlook and Final Encouragement 593 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 597
Dr Mercy Maclean is a Practitioner Chartered Health Psychologist (CPsychol), an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (AFBPsS), an expert in behaviour change intervention and wellbeing approaches for reducing health inequalities among health service users and health care professionals, a visiting lecturer, The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered and a full member of the Division of health psychology at the British Psychology Society (BPS). A Chartered Health Psychologist, Doctorate in Health Psychology, a Masters in Health Psychology, BSc in Psychology, numerous published articles in esteemed journals, and keynote speeches on international platforms form the backbone of her credentials. As a Chartered Health Psychologist, Dr. Mercy Maclean has gained the highest knowledge and expertise in Professional Practice, Behaviour Change Interventions, Research, Consulting, Teaching and Training. As a result of Dr. Mercy Maclean’s work in the mental health field and Behaviour Change Intervention approaches, she has won numerous awards. Accolades? Yes, they have been graciously bestowed upon her: awards for pioneering therapeutic programs, recognition for her contributions to evidence-based practice, and honours from professional societies. Yet, she receives these not as personal triumphs but as symbols of our progress and must continue to make in the mental health field and behaviour change intervention approaches. The true essence of her expertise is not captured in these accolades; it is woven into the fabric of countless lives touched, changed, and even transformed through the science and art of health psychology. The transformation of her work through the science and art of health psychology stands as a testament to her work and the courage of those who have dared to confront their darkest moments with the help of therapy and support. Dr. Mercy Maclean is not merely a name etched on office doors and conference badges—it is a byword for unwavering dedication to the mental wellbeing of those who often suffer in silence. Her odyssey began in the quiet corners of university libraries, where the musty scent of books mingled with the electric charge of new ideas. The intersection of rigorous academic research and hands-on practitioner experience defines the narrative arc of her career. It is a saga punctuated by profound breakthroughs with patients, innovative behaviour change intervention approaches, and tireless efforts to educate and empower the lay public and professional peers. The barriers she has faced—whether institutional resistance or entrenched societal biases—have only fuelled her resolve to demystify mental health and behaviour change intervention approaches and champion the cause of those battling invisible yet deeply felt psychological wounds.
Reviews for Psychological Strategies for Promoting Positive Mental Health Behaviour
Positive mental health practices require implementing strategies to cultivate connections with others. By actively engaging with family, friends, and the community, individuals can foster supportive social connections that contribute to a healthier mental state
