Mental health and mental illness are not the same thing. Everyone has mental health, just like everyone has health. However, everyone does not have mental illness.*

So, what does mental health mean? Mental health is our mental well-being: our emotions, our thoughts and feelings, our ability to solve problems and overcome difficulties, our social connections, and our understanding of the world around us.*

On the other hand, a mental illness affects the way people think, feel, behave, or interact with others.* Multiple mental illnesses exist, and most have very different symptoms that significantly impact peoples’ daily lives.

Good mental health isn’t about feeling happy and confident all the time. It’s about living and coping well even when problems occur.

Mental Health

Positive mental health enables people to:

• Realize their full potential*
• Meaningfully contribute to their communities*
• Cope with the stresses better*
• Work productively*

Ways to keep positive mental health include:

• Getting professional help if needed*
• Getting physically active*
• Socializing with others*
• Staying and thinking positive*
• Helping other people*
• Getting enough rest*
• Developing coping skills*