“Mental health” and “mental illness” are frequently used as if they mean the same thing, however they do not. Everyone has mental health, just like everyone has health. Over the course of a lifetime, not all people will experience a mental disorder or illness, but everyone will have a struggle or crisis with their mental wellness. Some examples of mental health crises include depression, trauma, eating disorders, alcohol or substance abuse, self-injury and suicidal thoughts.

One of the most common signs of emotional crisis is a clear and abrupt change in behavior, however, a crisis can also be a sign of an undiagnosed mental health disorder. A person should seek a health professional who may perform a mental health screening, a behavioral assessment or a mental health evaluation to ascertain if the person is experiencing a situational mental health crisis or a clinical mental health crisis affected by a mental disorder or illness. A mental health screening may offer information that may be helpful in finding additional resources and selecting an effective treatment plan.

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Similar to the challenges we all face with our physical wellness from time to time, like feeling unwell but not having a serious illness, some people may have poor mental health without a mental illness. We all have days where we feel a bit down, or stressed out, or overwhelmed by something that’s happening in our lives.

An important part of good mental health is the ability to look at concerns and issues realistically. Good mental health isn’t about ignoring problems and feeling happy and confident 100% of time. It’s about living life while positively managing crises and disorders.

» Mental Health & Wellness Frequent Questions & Answers