Understanding mental health
Good mental health is something we all want for ourselves, our friends, our family and others in our community. Just like we care for our physical health, there are things we need to do to stay mentally healthy.
What is mental health?
Everyone has mental health. Although everyone’s understanding of it might change according to their cultural background, it might be helpful to think about mental health as a range or spectrum. On one end is good mental health. On the other, is poor mental health. We all move along this continuum, and all of us struggle with poor mental health at times, depending on what’s happening in our lives and other factors.
Not everyone has a mental illness. Mental illness, like mental health can fluctuate. On one end of the mental illness continuum is no diagnosable mental illness (minimal or no symptoms). On the other end is severe mental illness. Because of this, mental health and mental illness are actually two separate, but intersecting ideas. It’s a dual continuum that we all move along.
The dual continuum of mental health
It’s also helpful to know that people who have diagnosed mental illnesses can still feel mentally well and have good mental health. And similarly, people who don’t have a diagnosed mental illness can have poor mental health and need help. It can help to think about physical health. If someone with diabetes (a physical illness) has what they need to manage their illness, they may feel well and experience good physical health, despite having an illness. The same is true for someone with depression. If they have what they need to manage their illness, they may also feel mentally well and experience a good quality of life. That’s why getting treatment and support is essential.