Final answer:
Social support is a key ingredient in a mentally healthy life, with relationships with family and friends being critical for well-being. Education can facilitate social mobility, but it is the established social networks that are more directly linked to mental health.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the most important ingredients in a mentally healthy life is social support. Positive relationships with significant others, such as family and friends, are found to be crucial for well-being. While achieving educational goals like going to a top college can aid in upward social mobility and contribute to financial security, it is the close relationships and social networks we maintain that foster our mental health and overall happiness. Studies indicate that having a stable marriage, raising children, and maintaining close bonds with family can improve one's well-being throughout adulthood. Furthermore, for students, college programs such as peer mentoring are essential in building new social networks, thereby providing necessary support during transitioning periods.