Three Dimensions of Your Mental Health Quotient (and Why You Should Care)
- Tami West, PhD
- Aug 13
- 3 min read
When I first shared about the Mental Health Quotient years ago, I knew It would become a primary tool for those who are concerned about their mental wellbeing. And the more I learned, and now, after talking about it with thousands of people online, it’s become one of my favorite tools for understanding the whole picture of mental health.
The MHQ is made up of several dimensions, but today I want to focus on the three I’ve covered this past week:
1. Mood & Outlook
This is your emotional baseline, how optimistic you feel, how often you see the silver lining, and whether you can imagine a future you’re excited about. Mood & Outlook can look like:
Finding a small win even when things don’t go as planned.
Laughing in the middle of a stressful moment.
Believing you can still make a difference.
2. Social Self
This is your ability to connect, belong, and maintain healthy relationships. It’s about:
Feeling part of a supportive community.
Knowing you can ask for help without feeling judged.
Maintaining boundaries in your relationships.
A strong Social Self is your support net. A weak one? That’s when isolation can creep in.
3. Resilience
Resilience is your bounce-back factor, how well you adapt to change, learn from challenges, and keep going. It’s things like:
Adapting quickly when plans change.
Recovering from a tough conversation.
Staying flexible when life throws a curveball.
Resilience isn’t about “toughing it out” without feeling. It’s about feeling and then finding a way forward.
Why This Matters
Your MHQ isn’t just a number. It’s a tool to help you notice patterns, spot early warning signs, and strengthen your well-being.If you’re curious, I’ve put together a MHQ Quick Guide in my Resource Vault it’s free, printable, and includes examples for all six dimensions (including the ones I’ll cover next week: Cognition, Mind-Body Connection, and Drive & Motivation).
Resource Vault Download:MHQ Quick Guide, A one-page breakdown of all six MHQ dimensions with everyday examples + quick self-check prompts.
Engage with the full resources in my Resource Vault
I’d love to hear from you. And if you missed any of the social posts, you can check them out on Facebook or grab your free downloads from the Resource Vault.
Keep the Conversation Going!
Which of these topics helped you most this week? Drop a comment below or send me a message—I love hearing your stories. And if you want downloadable quote cards, images, or deep-dive guides for any of these posts, just let me know!
Love & Hugs,
Tami
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Mental Health Resources:
Tami West, PhD
Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.
Tami has worked in a variety of industries including healthcare, school nutrition, corporate sales, and 10 years as a public-school teacher. In 2013 she received her PhD in Human Development, studying the connections among stress, emotions, and identity.
Dr. West has spoken in 48 states across the US, as well as the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. In any given year, Tami speaks to groups with audiences consisting of anywhere from 100 to 3,000 people.
Dr. West is the author of several successful publications including three books: The Stress Club, Life Without the Monsters and Thrive. When she's not speaking or writing, you might find her with her traveling with her husband and family, reading historical fiction, or watching Big Bang Theory.
Tami connects with audiences through real experience, cutting edge research, and transparent stories – all sprinkled with humor! She will make you laugh, cry, and shine a refreshingly new light on life's challenges.
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Contact Tami at tamiwest@tamiwest.com
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