Mental Health: What It Is, What Affects It, and When to Get Help

Mental health is our emotional, psychological and social well-being. It shapes how we think, feel and act as we cope with life, and it helps decide how we handle stress, relate to other people and make choices. It matters at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood and old age.

Mental disorders

Mental disorders are serious conditions that can affect thinking, mood and behavior, and a person's ability to relate to others and get through each day. They can be occasional or long-lasting. They are common — many Americans will be diagnosed with one at some point — and they are treatable: people get better, and many recover completely.

Why it matters

Good mental health helps you:

• cope with the stresses of life;
• stay physically healthy;
• have good relationships;
• contribute to your community;
• work productively;
• reach your full potential.

It also affects the body directly. Mental disorders can raise the risk of physical problems such as stroke, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

What affects it

You can also improve your mental health yourself — for example through meditation, relaxation techniques and practicing gratitude.

Mental health changes over time. A hard situation, such as managing a chronic illness, caring for a sick relative or money problems, can wear you down and overwhelm your ability to cope. Getting therapy, on the other hand, can improve it.

Warning signs

It can be hard to tell what is normal when it comes to emotions. Signs that you may have a mental health problem include:

• changes in eating or sleeping habits;
• pulling away from people and activities you enjoy;
• having little or no energy;
• feeling numb, or as if nothing matters;
• unexplained aches and pains;
• feeling helpless or hopeless;
• smoking, drinking or using drugs more than usual;
• feeling unusually confused, forgetful, angry, upset, worried or scared;
• severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships;
• thoughts and memories you can't get out of your head;
• hearing voices or believing things that are not true;
• thinking of harming yourself or others;
• being unable to manage daily tasks such as caring for your children or getting to work or school.

Getting help

If you think you may have a mental health problem, get help. Talk therapy, medicines or both can treat mental disorders. If you don't know where to start, contact your primary care provider.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the United States.

Sources

Based on the MedlinePlus health topic "Mental Health," National Library of Medicine; a work of the United States government in the public domain.