What's the difference between mental health and mental illness?
Mental health and mental illness are increasingly being used as if they mean the same thing, but they do not. Everyone has mental health, just like everyone has health. As the World Health Organization famously says, There is no health without mental health. In the course of a lifetime, not all people will experience a mental illness, but everyone will struggle or have a challenge with their mental well-being (i.e., their mental health) just like we all have challenges with our physical well-being from time to time. When we talk about mental health, were talking about our mental well-being: our emotions, our thoughts and feelings, our ability to solve problems and overcome difficulties, our social connections, and our understanding of the world around us. A mental illness is an illness the affects that way people think, feel, behave, or interact with others. There are many different mental illnesses, and they have different symptoms that impact peoples lives in different ways. Health isnt like an on/off switch. There are different degrees of health. People move on a continuum ranging from great or good health to so-so health to poor health to illness or disability. For example, some people have good health and have no problems going about their lives. Some people experience serious health problems, and their poor health has a very negative impact on their life. Some people have serious health problems that last for a long time, and others have serious health problems that resolve very quickly. Many people fall somewhere in the middletheyre generally in good health, though the occasional problem may come up. Mental health is the same way. Just as someone who feels unwell may not have a serious illness, people may have poor mental health without a mental illness. We all have days where we feel a bit down, or stressed out, or overwhelmed by something thats happening in our lives. An important part of good mental health is the ability to look at problems or concerns realistically. Good mental health isnt about feeling happy and confident 100% of time and ignoring any problems. Its about living and coping well despite problems. Just as its possible to have poor mental health but no mental illness, its entirely possible to have good mental health even with a diagnosis of a mental illness. Thats because mental illnesses (like other health problems) are often episodic, meaning there are times (episodes) of ill health and times of better or good health. With the right supports and tools, anyone can live wellhowever they define welland find meaning, contribute to their communities, and work towards their goals.