Mental health conversations are happening everywhere. According to research from the American Psychological Association (APA), Americans are becoming more open and vocal about mental health than ever. The majority of people agree that mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of and that mental health is important to a person’s overall well-being. And while this is great news, there is some clarity needed. In everyday conversations, the phrases “mental health” and “mental illness” often get confused.
Mental health and mental illness are two closely-related topics, but the words are not interchangeable. Mental health is a broad term that encompasses our emotions, thoughts, attitudes, behaviors, social connections, and ability to overcome challenges. Mental illness, on the other hand, is a clinical condition that disrupts how people think, feel, behave, and interact with others.
To put it simply, mental health is all about our well-being, and mental illness is a disturbance of it. However, experts agree that both mental health and mental illness are both a spectrum. For example, you can have poor mental health without being formally diagnosed with a mental illness.
Read on to compare (and contrast) mental health vs. mental illness.
What is Mental Health?
Mental health is an all-encompassing term that relates to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is a state of being that involves how we think, feel, act, and interact with others.
Mental health is what enables people to cope with the daily stressors of life, to realize their abilities, to learn and work well, and to contribute to their communities. As explained by the World Health Organization (WHO), it is also integral in our ability to make decisions, build relationships, and shape the world in which we live.
As noted above, mental health exists on a spectrum. This means that people face a range of experiences, emotions, and behaviors—which vary in intensity—and these all impact mental health in different ways. Mental health cannot be black and white; you are not mentally “healthy” or “unhealthy.” Rather, people experience different levels of mental health and well-being, at different times in their lives. For example, mental health does not mean that you feel good 100% of the time. Rather, having good mental health means that you can cope with and solve problems effectively, even when you are feeling low or stressed.
Still, certain factors can contribute to a more positive mental health state. For example, having a stable and nurturing environment, financial stability, positive social interactions, and access to health resources are all environmental factors that support a person’s mental well-being. Additionally, good physical health, positive self-esteem, supportive relationships, and a general sense of purpose can all play an important role in overall mental health.
To the same end, certain factors can also disrupt or negatively affect a person’s mental health. For example, substance abuse, poverty, exposure to violence and discrimination, and a history of trauma—especially in early life, at key stages of development—can all make a person more vulnerable to developing mental illness. This leads us to our next section…
What is Mental Illness?
Mental illness refers to a range of conditions that affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, or behavior. These conditions are characterized by severe changes in one’s mood and thoughts, and in turn interfere with a person’s functioning and overall quality of life. They disrupt a person’s ability to cope with challenges and often cause persistent feelings of distress.
Common mental illnesses include, but are not limited to:
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Borderline personality disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Trauma or stress-related disorders, such as PTSD
As explained by the World Health Organization, mental illness is associated with “significant distress, impairment in functioning, or risk of self-harm.” Further, WHO explains that “people with mental health conditions are more likely to experience lower levels of mental well-being, but this is not always or necessarily the case.”
Again, mental illness is a spectrum—and everyone’s experiences are unique. A person who has been diagnosed with a mental illness can still have experiences with positive mental health. A mental illness does not define a person. While they may face more challenges than others, people struggling with a mental health condition can go on to live productive and satisfying lives. This is because mental health conditions are very treatable and manageable.
Similarly, it’s important to note that mental illness is not the same thing as poor mental health. We all have bad days now and again, and we can have periods where we feel especially down. Periods of poor mental health are temporary and typically fleeting. Contrastingly, those with a mental illness will experience poor mental health symptoms for prolonged periods of time. And these symptoms will have a noticeable impact on their quality of life.
Mental Illness vs. Mental Health Condition
While it’s common to hear “mental illness” in conversation, this is not a phrase typically used in clinical settings. Instead, we choose to say “mental health condition” when speaking about depression, anxiety, and other mental health diagnoses. There are a few different reasons for this.
First, the term “mental illness” can carry negative connotations, feel very harsh in nature, and may reinforce stereotypes. It provides an opportunity for someone to be labeled as “mentally ill,” because of their diagnosis. Referring to someone in this way is highly stigmatizing, and takes the focus away from health. So, instead of labeling a person as “mentally ill,” we are encouraged to say someone “has a mental health condition.” Those who are struggling also feel more comfortable accepting their condition and seeking help, as it feels less daunting than admitting they have an “illness.”
Using the phrase “mental health condition” allows practitioners to place the focus back on health and well-being. This can promote a more positive approach to talking about these conditions, as well as managing them. Those with mental health conditions often feel less boxed-in by this terminology, and feel it is easier to talk about a mental health condition without judgement or labeling.
In addition to reducing the stigma around “mental illness,” we use the phrase “mental health condition” to broaden the scope of these conditions and encompass a wider range of experiences. As we’ve been discussing, mental health and mental illness fall on a continuum. Conditions can be mild or severe, and classifying all as “illnesses” can cause misunderstandings to arise. For example, some mental health conditions are not severe, but still require attention and care. Additionally, mental health conditions are multifaceted, involving biological, social, and psychological health, and this phrase helps bring all of those pieces into one terminology.
Learn More
Turnbridge is a preeminent mental health treatment center for young adults and adolescents struggling with substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. If you are interested in learning more about how we approach mental health treatment, please do not hesitate to call 877-581-1793 to speak with a specialist. You can also learn more about similar topics, by visiting the links below: