What is Mental Health?

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DEEP DIVE 

How can we promote better mental health?

Promoting good mental health and preventing mental illness crises involves implementing actions to create living conditions and environments that support mental health and allow people to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. These include a range of actions to increase the chances of more people experiencing better mental health, such as…

  • Early childhood interventions (for example, home visits for pregnant women and programs that help young children build social and emotional skills).

  • Social support for the elderly.

  • Programs targeted to people affected by disasters, war, abuse, or other traumatic events.

  • Mental health interventions at work (for example, stress prevention programs).

  • Violence prevention strategies (for example, reducing violence in the community and the home).

  • Campaigns to change the culture of mental health so that those in need receive the care and support they deserve.

Educate Yourself on All Aspects of Mental Health

  • Depression

    Young adults aged 18–25 are significantly more likely to experience depression than older adults. Depression causes severe negative changes in thoughts, emotions, and daily functioning, making activities such as sleeping, eating, and working difficult. People with depression may feel numb, sad, isolated, or hopeless. While some individuals experience only one depressive episode, others may face recurring episodes over time. Depression can develop after stressful events, trauma, illness, or major life changes, and it is treatable through psychotherapy, medication, support groups, exercise, and holistic healing approaches.

  • Suicide

    Suicidality can affect anyone and is closely linked to mental illness. Risk factors include substance abuse, chronic illness, trauma, discrimination, isolation, sleep deprivation, and age-related vulnerabilities. Many individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts feel overwhelmed and hopeless, but support and treatment can make a significant difference. Psychotherapy, medication, social support, and crisis intervention are important tools in suicide prevention. Open and compassionate conversations about suicide can help individuals feel supported and less alone.

  • Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

    Borderline Personality Disorder causes intense emotional instability, impulsive behavior, and difficulties in relationships. Individuals with BPD may experience rapid mood changes and strong fears of abandonment, creating unstable interpersonal dynamics. Emotional reactions can shift quickly between anger, sadness, and excitement. Despite these challenges, BPD is treatable, and many individuals improve significantly over time with therapies such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), medication, trauma-informed care, and strong support systems.

  • Addiction

    Addiction and substance abuse are strongly connected to mental health challenges. Substance abuse involves the harmful use of alcohol, drugs, or other addictive behaviors such as gambling. Addiction can interfere with daily life and often becomes more important than relationships, health, or responsibilities. Many people experiencing addiction also live with mental illnesses, a situation often referred to as dual diagnosis. Treatment approaches may include psychotherapy, support groups, harm reduction strategies, medication, and holistic recovery programs.

  • Bipolar Disorder

    Bipolar Disorder causes extreme shifts in mood, energy, and behavior. Individuals may experience periods of depression along with episodes of mania or hypomania, which involve elevated mood, impulsive behavior, and increased energy. These mood changes can greatly affect relationships, sleep, work, and decision-making. Symptoms and experiences vary widely among individuals, but Bipolar Disorder is treatable through medication, psychotherapy, structured routines, and self-care strategies.

  • ADHD

    Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often begins in childhood and affects attention, organization, focus, and impulse control. Individuals with ADHD may struggle to complete tasks, stay focused, or regulate activity levels appropriately. While symptoms can continue into adulthood, many individuals improve over time. ADHD is treatable through behavioral therapy, medication, educational support, mindfulness, and coping strategies that improve concentration and daily functioning.

  • PTSD

    Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) develops after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events such as violence, abuse, war, or disasters. Symptoms may include flashbacks, anxiety, hypervigilance, emotional distress, and physical reactions to triggers. PTSD affects people differently depending on their experiences and support systems. Effective treatments include psychotherapy, EMDR therapy, medication, support groups, and trauma-informed healing approaches that help individuals manage symptoms and regain stability.

  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

    Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is characterized by intrusive thoughts known as obsessions and repetitive behaviors known as compulsions. Individuals with OCD may feel compelled to repeat actions such as cleaning, checking, counting, or organizing to reduce anxiety. Symptoms vary greatly among individuals and can significantly interfere with daily life. Treatment commonly includes Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, particularly Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), medication, exercise, and supportive coping strategies.

  • Anxiety

    Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illnesses and involve excessive fear, worry, and distress that interfere with everyday life. Anxiety can appear in many forms, including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and phobias. While occasional anxiety is a normal human experience, anxiety disorders involve persistent and overwhelming symptoms that may worsen over time. Fortunately, anxiety is treatable through psychotherapy, medication, stress management techniques, relaxation practices, and support systems.

  • Eating Disorders

    Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder involve unhealthy relationships with food, body image, and weight. These conditions can cause severe emotional and physical health problems and may become life-threatening if untreated. Eating disorders affect individuals differently, but recovery is possible through psychotherapy, nutritional counseling, family support, medication, and holistic healing approaches.

  • Stigma

    Stigma surrounding mental illness includes stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. Many individuals with mental health conditions experience judgment, bullying, social isolation, or barriers to employment and support. Stigma can discourage people from seeking treatment and contribute to feelings of shame and guilt. Promoting understanding, compassion, and respectful language is essential to reducing stigma and creating supportive communities for those experiencing mental health challenges.

A deep dive into mental health & mental illness

People experience different types of mental health issues, some of which can be co-occurring. Mental illnesses can occur in short bursts, or extended episodes, then subside. Mental illnesses can also be ongoing, chronic conditions. There are more than 200 types of mental illness. We will cover a handful of them in this deep dive.

  • People with anxiety disorders respond to certain objects or situations with fear, dread, or terror. Sensory stimuli such as a smell or sound can trigger these negative responses. Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, panic disorders, and phobias.

  • ADHD is one of the most common childhood mental disorders. It can continue through adolescence and adulthood. People diagnosed with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors, or being overly active to the point of self-detriment.

  • Behavioral disorders involve a pattern of disruptive behaviors in children that last for at least 6 months and cause problems in school, at home, and in social situations. Behavioral symptoms can also continue into adulthood, with the disruptive behaviors becoming impulsive to the point of serious self-detriment.

  • While bad moods are common and usually pass in a short period people suffering from mood disorders live with more consistent and severe symptoms. Their mood impacts both mental and psychological well-being nearly every day. 1 in 10 adults suffer from some mood disorder, with the most common conditions being depression and bipolar disorder. If left untreated, this illness can affect role functioning, quality of life, and many long-lasting physical health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. With proper diagnosis and treatment, most of those living with mood disorders lead healthy, normal, and productive lives. Many go undiagnosed, making mental health awareness a social imperative.

  • Eating disorders involve obsessive and sometimes distressing thoughts and behaviors concerning food and/or body image, including:

    • Reduction of food intake

    • Overeating

    • Feelings of depression or distress

    • Concerns or delusions about weight, body shape, poor self-image (Body Dysmorphia)

    Common types of eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.

  • People with personality disorders have extreme and inflexible personality traits that cause problems in work, school, or social relationships. Sharp and sudden personality changes can also be present. Personality disorders include antisocial personality disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD).

  • PTSD can manifest after living through a traumatic event, such as war, a natural disaster, abuse, or a serious accident. PTSD can make someone continue to feel stressed and afraid even after the danger is over. People with PTSD may experience symptoms like reliving the traumatic event, sleep problems, panic attacks, paranoia, and changes in emotions. PTSD can cause irritability, emotional outbursts, helplessness, or feelings of numbness.

  • People with psychotic disorders hear, see, and believe things that aren’t real or true. They may also show signs of disorganized thinking, confused speech, and abnormal motor behavior. An example of a psychotic disorder is schizophrenia, which can also present disorganized motivation and emotions.

  • Substance use disorders occur when frequent or repeated use of alcohol and/or drugs causes significant detriment, such as health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities. Substance use problems can be fatal to the user and put others at risk. Examples include drunk driving and overdoses. Mental illnesses and substance use disorders often occur together. Sometimes one disorder can be a contributing factor to another, or can make the other worse. Sometimes they simply occur at the same time.

Facts about mental illness

Mental Illness and Adults-

  • About 1 in 5 people aged 18 or older have a mental illness.

  • About 1 in 25 people aged 18 or older have a serious mental illness. “Serious mental illness” is defined as individuals experiencing a mental illness or disorder with serious functional impairment that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.

Mental Illness and Children and Teens-

  • 1 in 5 – children, have had a seriously debilitating mental disorder.

  • Half of all chronic mental illness begins by age 14 and three-quarters begin by age 24.

The Social and Economic Impact of Mental Illness-

  • Suicide, often associated with symptoms of mental illness, is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. and the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 15-34.

  • Serious mental illness costs the United States $193.2 billion in lost earnings per year.

  • Individuals living with serious mental illness face an increased risk of physical health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus, the virus that causes AIDS).

  • U.S. adults living with serious mental illness die on average 25 years earlier than others, largely due to treatable medical conditions.

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How do I know when it's time to get help?

We all have rough days, weeks, or even months. But how do you know when it’s more than just a phase? Explore the questions below to help find clarity.

We tend to dismiss our own symptoms, assuming everyone feels this way. While periods of stress are normal, persistent disruption to your life is not.

Normal signs of stress

  • • Occasional insomnia or bad nights of sleep
  • • Low energy after a long, demanding week
  • • Crying spells related to a specific sad event
  • • Needing a day off to isolate and recharge

Signs you may need help

  • • Chronic inability to sleep or constant exhaustion
  • • Severe withdrawal and avoidance of social situations
  • • Overwhelming sadness or hopelessness without a trigger
  • • Relying on substances (drugs/alcohol) to cope

References & Further Reading

Creating a community without stigma

Through our unique blend of Createucation and Edutainment—leveraging films, fresh ideas, and practical tips—we aim to build a world free from stigma. Our mission is to help individuals experience mental health in a meaningful way, making sense of life’s most pressing challenges with understanding and purpose.

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