How can we judge whether a person's mental health is sound? Psychologist Aaron Antonovsky's "salutogenesis" theory holds that mental health is a continuous process of coping with stress and dynamic adjustment. Mentally healthy people share three characteristics: comprehensibility (seeing stress as explainable), manageability (believing they can cope with stress), and meaningfulness (thinking stress is worth engaging with and that they and the world have meaning). These three perceptions form a psychological coherence that helps us remain steadfast inside as we live our lives.

The fast pace, intense competition, and information overload of modern society continuously assault people's comprehensibility and manageability. Mass information and a value system that prioritizes interests also challenge the formation of a sense of meaning. A person's life goes through different psychological developmental stages. Psychologist Erik Erikson's eight stages of psychosocial development tell us that each life stage has core psychological tasks to complete; handling these tasks well yields strengths of character, while failing to do so can sow hidden problems and lead to certain psychological issues.

Let's learn together the characteristics of mental health, understand the psychological challenges faced by people at different ages, and learn how to protect mental well-being.

Adolescence is an important stage in a person's transition from childhood to adulthood. During this period, teenagers undergo physical sexual maturation and uneven brain development; for example, the prefrontal cortex that governs rational control is not yet fully developed, while the amygdala that manages emotions is relatively sensitive. The core psychological task at this stage is to find the answer to "Who am I?" They seek peer approval, want to break free from parental constraints, and often feel inner conflict.

Generally speaking, adolescents commonly face three sources of pressure: academic competition, peer relationships, and relationships with authority figures. If these pressures remain unmanaged over time, combined with the psychological vulnerability of adolescence, teenagers may develop issues such as anxiety and depression. For example, a high school student, Xiaozhang, ranks around the middle of his class. He has no clear idea about his future and becomes more confused and increasingly down when he sees some classmates with clear goals. Later, Xiaozhang gradually becomes addicted to online games because he can gain a sense of achievement in the virtual world and avoid unhappy moments. His parents are very anxious, but the more they scold him, the more he shuts himself off.

Recommendations: For adolescents, feeling lost is normal. Teenagers should explore their interests, join clubs they care about, talk more with trusted elders, and learn emotion regulation and interpersonal skills. If an adolescent feels persistent inner pain, they should seek help from a professional doctor. For parents, education of adolescents should shift from "discipline" to "accompanying and guiding": listen more, judge less; guide more, scold less; let go appropriately so children learn to make their own choices and take responsibility.

Freud said, "A mentally healthy person always works hard and loves." The adult world also largely revolves around work and intimate relationships.

The high demands and fast pace of the modern workplace can easily lead individuals into occupational burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced sense of accomplishment. When someone repeatedly strives but sees little effect, they may fall into a whirlpool of "learned helplessness," believing they cannot change the outcome and feeling meaningless and self-doubting. Those who "break through successfully" or get promotions and raises can also experience a period of emotional crisis. For example, Xiao Li was promoted to project manager for outstanding work performance, but management work is completely different from his previous technical role. He spends his days coordinating workplace relationships and attending meetings, feels he is not good at interpersonal management, and gradually develops anxiety and insomnia.

In intimate relationships, connections with partners, parents, and children always tug at adults' nerves; they also face challenges brought by generational differences in beliefs and parenting pressures. Whether interacting with parents or children, adults need to reassess past interaction patterns: sometimes change, sometimes compromise; sometimes set boundaries, sometimes respond flexibly. In parenting, adults should remember the "60-point parent" concept—avoid blindly following any one educational method and strive to educate children according to their individual needs.

Recommendation: Build a social support system and proactively maintain your circle of friends. Set boundaries and learn to say "no" to unreasonable demands around you when necessary, even if those demands come from bosses, parents, or children. Practice self-compassion—try treating yourself as you would a good friend. Allow yourself to be imperfect and to fail at times, and engage in positive self-talk.

Everyone will eventually grow old. Often, retirement means the sudden disruption of one's previous social rhythms, sense of involvement, and sense of accomplishment, so some people experience an emotional crisis after retiring—especially those who invested a lot and gained much from their work.

Physical health is a primary concern in old age. As people grow older, normal changes occur in bodily functions, such as declines in vision and hearing and deterioration of bones and muscles. Many elderly people develop "disability anxiety" as a result, feeling a reduced sense of self-worth.

Suggestions: Proactively adjust your mindset before retirement, actively plan your retirement life, seek new interests, and cultivate hobbies. Accept the limitations of your body, and maintain functioning through regular check-ups, moderate exercise, a balanced diet, and social interaction. Shift your focus from loss to gain, such as free time, life experience, and wisdom, and convey support and warmth within your family and community.