Our society usually considers health solely in terms of the physical health of our bodies. My definition of health, however, includes both the well-being of the physical body and the mental mind. For me, everything begins with my mental health, and good mental health starts with close friends and relationships. I believe one of the most important factors that contribute to a person's overall good health is having social relationships and interaction with others. Having dependable friends and people to talk to when you need them is key to maintaining good health. Thus, my definition of health includes the importance of making friends. For me, my first friends were my cousins. My good health started with them, and my life was much smoother with their support because our friendship initiated all the other aspects of my good health.
My mental health became a big issue for me after my mother died when I was six years old. Before her death, life for me in Taiwan was careless and free. I considered myself a healthy boy who would always go out of the house to play and was free to do what I desired. I was rarely punished and hardly ever disciplined. My life was stress-free, and I was very happy and content.
After the death of my mom, my life changed dramatically and permanently. There was no one to take care of me anymore in Taiwan so I was sent to the United States to live with my aunt and her two daughters in Houston, Texas. When I first arrived in Texas, it was a severe culture shock in every way. Unlike my life in Taiwan, here I was faced with many challenges: linguistic, physical, social, and psychological.
One of my earliest psychological challenges was to adjust to my aunt's way of raising kids. I felt intimidated by my aunt whom I had only met when I was a toddler. My aunt was extremely strict towards me, and her nickname in the family was the "drill sergeant." When I attended kindergarten, I would always bring home a note from school telling my aunt what trouble I had gotten myself into that day.
