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* Home
* The facts
* What is mental health?
What is mental health?
It’s an expression we use every day, so it might surprise you that the
term ‘mental health’ is frequently misunderstood.
‘Mental health’ is often used as a substitute for mental health
conditions – such as depression, anxiety conditions, schizophrenia, and
others.
According to the World Health Organization, however, mental health
is “a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her
own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work
productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her
or his community.”
So rather than being about ‘what’s the problem?’ it’s really about
‘what’s going well?'
''Mental health is about wellness rather than illness''
To make things a bit clearer, some experts have tried coming up with
different terms to explain the difference between ‘mental health’ and
‘mental health conditions’. Phrases such as ‘good mental health’,
‘positive mental health’, ‘mental wellbeing’, ‘subjective wellbeing’
and even ‘happiness’ have been proposed by various people to emphasise
that mental health is about wellness rather than illness. While some
say this has been helpful, others argue that using more words to
describe the same thing just adds to the confusion.
As a result, others have tried to explain the difference by talking
about a continuum where mental health is at one end of the spectrum –
represented by feeling good and functioning well – while mental health
conditions (or mental illness) are at the other – represented by
symptoms that affect people’s thoughts, feelings or behaviour.
The benefits of staying well
Research shows that high levels of mental health are associated with
increased learning, creativity and productivity, more pro-social
behaviour and positive social relationships, and with improved physical
health and life expectancy. In contrast, mental health conditions can
cause distress, impact on day-to-day functioning and relationships, and
are associated with poor physical health and premature death from
suicide.
But it’s important to remember that mental health is complex. The fact
that someone is not experiencing a mental health condition doesn’t
necessarily mean their mental health is flourishing. Likewise, it’s
possible to be diagnosed with a mental health condition while feeling
well in many aspects of life.
Ultimately, mental health is about being cognitively, emotionally and
socially healthy – the way we think, feel and develop relationships -
and not merely the absence of a mental health condition.
Beyond Blue's vision is that everyone achieves their best possible mental
health
While Beyond Blue's primary focus is on the needs of people affected by
depression, anxiety and suicide, we also believe that a better
understanding of what we mean by mental health and how to achieve it
will help everyone in Australia reach their full potential. This will
also contribute to the prevention of mental health conditions, and
support people who have experienced these conditions to get as well as
they can and lead full and contributing lives.
Having social connections, good personal relationships and being part
of a community are vital to maintaining good mental health and
contribute to people's recovery, should they become unwell.
However, if you feel that you may be affected by depression or
anxiety remember they are treatable conditions and effective
treatments are available. The earlier you seek support, the better.
Take the anxiety/depression checklist
Find out about treatments
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Other pages in This Section
* What is mental health?
* Anxiety and depression checklist (K10)
* Depression
* Anxiety
* Suicide prevention
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The facts
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