Which is not a characteristic of a mentally healthy person?

• A. Accepting one's emotions
• B. Expressing emotions appropriately
• C. Denying one's emotions
• D. Maintaining stable relationships

Answer: (C)

Recognizing and working with emotions is essential for good mental health. Denying one’s emotions means refusing to acknowledge what you’re feeling, which blocks processing and healthier coping, and can heighten distress over time. In mentally healthy individuals, emotions are acknowledged rather than ignored, allowing for honest self-awareness and better self-regulation. Expressing emotions in ways that fit the situation helps communicate needs, reduces internal tension, and supports trust and connection with others. Maintaining stable relationships reflects reliable social support and functioning, which are important for resilience. Because denying emotions undermines awareness and adaptive functioning, it’s not a characteristic of mental health.