Today, more and more individuals are prioritizing their health—and, despite what you might have heard, this goes beyond the physical. Mental health and emotional health are also fundamental to a person’s overall health, well-being, and quality of life. Yet an increasing number of Americans – about 1 in 5 adults – report their mental health as “poor.” And research shows a significant uptick in feelings of sadness, worry, and stress over the last 15 years.
As we think about emotional health and mental health, it’s important to note that these have subtle differences. While they are connected in many ways, mental health and emotional health have different processes and functions within the brain. We explore these topics in more depth, below.
What is Mental Health?
Mental health is all about how a person thinks, feels, and acts—it is an overarching term that encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. As such, mental health plays a crucial role in how we handle stress, form relationships, and make choices.
When a person has “good mental health,” they have an ability to manage their emotions, maintain a positive attitude, and relate to others in a healthy way. When a person is facing poor mental health, they typically struggle to cope with negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. They might experience persistent feelings of sadness and anxiety, or are unable to enjoy life and function to their fullest capacity. There are many different mental health disorders, but even those without a diagnosis can face instances of poor mental health.
What is Emotional Health?
Emotional health revolves around one’s ability to understand, regulate, and express their emotions. It is a branch or subset of mental health that more specifically refers to the positive and negative feelings that we often experience. Emotional health is all about how we process emotions and manifest them.
People with good emotional health are typically aware and accepting of their feelings. They handle negative feelings in a constructive way, and can effectively navigate the complexities of difficult emotions. Emotionally healthy individuals tend to cope with stress well and maintain a balanced mood.
When a person is experiencing emotional stress, their emotional health can suffer. They may not know how to cope with stress or control emotional outbursts, leading to outbursts of anger, crying, or other behaviors. Those with persistent, poor emotional health may view themselves in a negative light and/or withdraw themselves from social situations, leading to relationship hurdles and a lower quality of life.
Mental Health vs. Emotional Health: Key Differences
Mental health is a broad concept that encompasses many different aspects of our overall well-being. And emotional health is a critical part of that. Emotional health focuses specifically on emotions and how they are managed, while mental health includes a wider range of factors such as cognitive processes, social interactions, and psychological well-being.
Here’s a look at some of the key distinctions between mental health and emotional health:
Key Focus:
Emotional health is all about understanding, managing, and expressing our emotions in a healthy and constructive way. Mental health, on the other hand, stretches more broadly, focusing on our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors – and how they all relate.
Key Function:
Emotional health involves a person’s ability to manage and express emotions. Meanwhile, mental health more broadly involves how the brain processes and understands information. While distinct, these two functions go hand-in-hand. In order for emotions to be expressed effectively, they must be informed and processed accurately.
Key Factors:
The key aspects of emotional health are:
- Awareness of one’s emotions and ability to recognize/understand them.
- Emotional regulation, i.e. how we manage and respond to emotions.
- Empathy, and how we understand the feelings of other people.
- Resilience, or our ability to bounce back from emotional setbacks and stress.
- Outlook, or our ability to maintain a positive attitude and find joy in life.
Mental health is built on several factors, including:
- Cognitive functioning, including how we process information, solve problems, and make decisions.
- Psychological well-being, which includes our self-esteem, self-acceptance, and sense of purpose in life.
- Social well-being, or how we interact with others and maintain healthy relationships.
- Stress management, and specifically our ability to cope with challenges effectively.
- The presence of mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety.
Impact and Influence:
Emotional health directly influences how we handle stress, relate to others, and make decisions based on our emotional responses. Mental health, on the other hand, more broadly influences how we think, feel, and act, impacting every aspect of life from personal relationships to professional performance and beyond.
How Emotional Health and Mental Health Work Together
While distinct entities, there is still a strong relationship between our mental health and emotional health. Good emotional health contributes to good, overall mental health (and vice versa!).
Here’s a look at the ways in which mental health and emotional health go hand-in-hand:
- Emotional Regulation and Stress: Good emotional health allows for better stress management, reducing the likelihood of stress-induced mental health issues.
- Mood and Cognitive Functioning: Stable emotional health supports better cognitive functioning, which is crucial for maintaining mental health.
- Resilience and Recovery: Strong emotional health contributes to resilience, which helps individuals recover from setbacks more quickly, thereby protecting their mental health.
- Social Support and Empathy: Good emotional health fosters healthy relationships and social support, which are vital components of mental health.
Mental Health and Emotional Health are Both Important
While we often hear about mental health, or seek out mental health treatment services, it’s important to remember that emotional health is a component of that. In order to live a healthy, productive, and meaningful life, a person should prioritize both their mental and emotional well-being. The steps to do this are similar. One can work to improve their mental and emotional health by:
- Practicing self-care
- Talking openly about their thoughts and feelings
- Connecting with others and asking for help
- Finding gratitude each day
- Avoiding self-judgement and criticism
- Utilizing healthy ways to manage stress, such as mindfulness, exercise, and more
- Seeking treatment if negative thoughts, feelings, or behaviors persist
Signs You Should Seek Treatment
Those who are struggling with their mental health or emotional health will also show similar signs of needing professional help. For example, those facing a mental health disorder often display significant and sudden changes in mood, or negative emotions like hopelessness, anger, and fear. These individuals might also have:
- Difficulty carrying out day-to-day tasks
- Chronic feelings of worry
- Severe mood swings
- Lack of energy
- Inability to interact with or relate to others
- Issues with substance use
- Thoughts of self-harm and death
If you or someone you love is struggling emotionally or mentally, professional treatment can make a difference. Emotional health and mental health are part of a person’s overall health, and are essential to living your best possible life. Mental health disorders and emotional distress are scary and overwhelming, but they are also very treatable and manageable. If you are in need of support, you can always contact Turnbridge for help.
Turnbridge is a recognized mental health treatment provider, with programs designed specifically for young adults and teenagers struggling. Learn more by contacting us at 877-581-1793 today.