Mental Health
Mental health is a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.
- World Health Organisation
Mental health is:
- A positive sense of well-being
- A belief in one’s own worth and the dignity and the worth of others
- Ability to deal with the inner world of thinking, feeling, managing life and taking risks
- Ability to initiate, develop and sustain mutually satisfying personal relationships.
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Mental Illness
It is a health condition characterized by alterations in thinking, mood or behaviour (or some combination thereof) associated with distress and or impaired functioning.
- Canadian Mental Health Association
Mental illness refers collectively to all mental disorders. It is
- Biological – linked to disturbances in the brain chemistry
- Psychological – affects thoughts and emotions
- Social – affects stress levels and life events
Mental illness is like any other illness - it can manifest itself in many forms. It is commonly misunderstood and it can be treated.