What is Mental Health?
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as, “a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”
What Impacts Mental Health?
Mental health is constantly impacted by a combination of physical health, environment, lived experiences, genetics, and other social drivers of mental health.
What is a Mental Health Condition?
The American Psychiatric Association defines mental health conditions as any changes in emotion, thinking, or behavior (or a combination) associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work, or family activities.
How Common Are Mental Health Conditions?
Mental Health America estimates that nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental health condition. Examples of mental health conditions include anxiety disorders, depression, and eating disorders.
Almost half of people in the U.S. will have a mental health condition at some point in their lives.
Identifying Symptoms of a Mental Health Condition
There are hundreds of mental health conditions, though a condition may look different from one person to another. Age, genetics, and lifestyle are among several factors that influence how a mental health condition presents itself in an individual.
Additionally, not everyone who experiences symptoms is diagnosed with a mental health condition. People experiencing symptoms that impact their quality of life should contact a healthcare professional for more guidance.
Some of the most common early signs of poor mental health include:
- Excessive fear or worrying
- Feeling uncharacteristically sad or down
- Avoiding activities and social circles
- Changes in activity, sleeping, and eating habits
- Substance misuse
- Physical aches and pains
Additional Resources About Mental Health
- Mental Health Conditions (NAMI)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988 Lifeline)
- Mental Health America Online Self-Assessments (Mental Health America)
- Support for Mental Health Conditions (National Institute of Mental Health)
