Understanding mental health and mental ill-health

Defining mental health

Mental health is a positive state of health, where we function well, achieve our goals and manage the stresses and strains of life. Our mental health can fluctuate depending on what is happening in our lives or the environment around us.

Many factors can affect mental health (e.g. biology, social factors, life experiences and education). How these factors interact is different for every person. 

Defining mental ill-health

Mental ill-health is broad term that both captures mental illness and mental health challenges:

• Mental illness: A mental illness is a diagnosed condition that affects people’s thoughts, mood, behaviour or the way they perceive the world around them. Common examples include depression, anxiety and substance abuse. 
• Mental health challenge: These are shorter events or life stressors that negatively impact or challenge our mental health, and which would not be diagnosed as a mental illness.

You can read more about mental ill-health in the Building mental health literacy module.

Signs of mental ill-health

Some signs and symptoms of mental ill-health may include ongoing changes from what might be considered usual for an individual, such as:

• disengagement from others
• changes in communication style, such as becoming less patient or more sensitive to feedback
• increased emotional expression, such as tearfulness, anger, sadness etc.
• confused thinking and difficulty making decisions
• poor sleep and fatigue 
• negative interpretation of events 
• dwelling on the past or worrying about the future 
• physiological symptoms, such as headaches, gastro-intestinal symptoms, cardiovascular changes.

Impacts of mental ill-health

Mental ill-health can have a range of personal, social and financial impacts for individuals, their families, colleagues and communities. People living with mental ill-health may experience challenges in the way they think, behave and feel. This may affect their relationships, their work and their lives in general. 

These impacts can include:

• social isolation
• relationship conflict and breakdowns
• unemployment
• undue financial stress
• stress on family including children and adolescents
• homelessness
• social stigma
• other forms of discrimination.

Most people experiencing mental ill-health can recover or manage their symptoms over the longer term. People who experience mental ill-health can participate fully in life, including having satisfying personal and professional relationships, and achieving their goals in life and work. It helps if they have a good management strategy and support network in place. 

Accessing support or treatment early can be key to managing periods of mental ill-health. However, some people do not seek support or treatment. This may be due to fear of being judged, not being aware support is available or a range of other reasons. 

You do not need to become an expert to help others through mental health challenges and mental ill-health. But having a general understanding about mental ill-health can help.