Social-emotional skills and mental health

Human beings live together in families, neighborhoods, communities, societies, and more in the global village. Our physical and mental health correlates with our social and emotional skills. Let us see how cognition and socialization are deeply interconnected. We cannot deny that good mental health often fosters strong social skills, while difficulties in mental well-being can hinder social interactions, similarly poor social skills can cause poor mental health. People with healthy mental states tend to communicate more effectively, empathize with others, and maintain positive relationships. Conversely, mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem can impair one’s ability to engage socially, leading to isolation, misunderstandings, or strained relationships. Developing social skills, such as socializing with the people around, meeting new people, having diverse friends, and having hobbies and interests in creative and performing arts, helps in maintaining good mental health. Going further in societies where war, sociopolitical and socioeconomic conflicts, or violent extremism exist, active listening, empathy, and conflict resolution are some of the crucial social skills that can help improving and maintaining mental well-being by building supportive social networks.

Here we need to understand that social skills are highly dependent on emotional intelligence (EI), as EI provides the foundation for understanding and managing emotions for ourselves and others, which is essential for successful social interactions. Childhood, adolescence and adult age traumas badly effect our emotional wellbeing. Exercising mindfulness and meditation as well as reflective thinking and writing provides deep insight and shows pathways for emotional healing. Emotional intelligence first of all involves skills like self-awareness, and emotional regulation, which enable us to communicate effectively, and respond appropriately in various situations. We need emotional intelligence to build strong relationships by fostering trust and cooperation. Higher EI allows people to read social cues, empathize with the people on opposite ends and resolve conflicts. Without emotional intelligence, social skills can suffer, leading to misunderstandings, poor communication, and difficulty maintaining positive connections.

Now we also need to look at emotional intelligence as one of the cognitive abilities. Positive mental health allows individuals to process their feelings in a balanced way, fostering resilience, self-awareness, and emotional stability. But poor mental health can lead to emotional imbalances, such as heightened anxiety, mood swings, or difficulty coping with stress. We need to consider emotional well-being as an indicator of mental health; it involves the ability to recognize issues and conflicts, understand our own and others point of view, and regulate emotions effectively but the most important part is to reduce stress and avoid triggers. Maintaining good mental health supports this process, enabling individuals to navigate challenges with a greater sense of calm and positivity.

In twenty first century it is hard to maintain social-emotional and mental health The lifestyle of the twenty-first century, characterized by rapid technological advancements, fast-paced routines, and increasing digital interactions, is significantly impacting social skills, emotional well-being, and mental health. While technology has made communication more accessible, it often reduces face-to-face interactions, weakening the development of essential social skills like empathy and active listening. The constant exposure to world news, war narratives and much more through social media can also heighten anxiety, comparison, and low self-esteem, affecting emotional well-being. Additionally, the pressure to meet modern societal expectations, along with work-related stress, often leads to burnout and mental health challenges. Balancing technology use with meaningful human connections, physical activities, creative and performing arts and self-care in term of checking upon our own mental, emotional and physical health has become crucial for maintaining a healthy and happy life.