Mental Health: Definition, Awareness, & Resources

By Justine Saavedra, M.S.
Reviewed by Tchiki Davis, M.A., Ph.D.

Discover resources to improve your emotional and psychological well-being. Plus, find out why mental health awareness is important.

Mental Health: Definition, Awareness, & Resources

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You have probably heard the old saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” in reference to taking care of your physical health. However, your body is only one aspect of overall well-being– your emotional, psychological, and social health are another. These aspects of your life are called your mental health, and they affect how you feel about yourself, how you function day-to-day, and how you interact with other people.

If you feel like any of these areas of your life are suffering, you may be experiencing problems with your mental health. You wouldn’t hesitate to go to the doctor if you had a broken leg so you shouldn’t hesitate to seek help if you feel like something is off with your mind.

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What Is Mental Health? (A Definition)

There are many headlines and stories nowadays about mental health, but what exactly does it mean? The World Health Organization states that mental health is “an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships, and shape the world we live in.” (WHO, 2022).

Your mental health affects:

How you act
How you think
How you feel

Working towards better mental health is an essential component of leading a happy, productive life. If someone has good mental health, it does not necessarily mean that they are happy all of the time—it means they have the tools and mindset to see them through the hard times. Bad things will always happen in the world but learning to be thoughtful, insightful, and resourceful can help you move through them more easily.

This 2-minute video from New York University provides a brief overview of the basics of mental health.

Video: What is Mental Health?

It is important to remember that there is a big difference between experiencing problems with your mental health and actually having a psychological disorder. Almost everyone feels some level of stress or anxiety but those with mental illness experience symptoms that greatly affect their ability to function in everyday life. While everyone can benefit from working to improve their mental health, people with disorders should seek out specialized treatment. Some examples of psychological disorders are described below.

Examples of Mental Health Disorders

Mental health disorders affect a large proportion of people around the world. One 2013 study estimated that 1 in 5 people met the criteria for a mental health disorder in the past month and 30% met the criteria in their lifetime (Steel et al., 2014). However, it’s important to consider the distress many people experienced as part of the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, a more recent 2021 study found that the overall prevalence of mental health issues is higher now than before the pandemic began (Nochaiwong et al., 2021).

Many disorders have overlapping symptoms and presentations which is why it is so important to see a professional. Try to avoid diagnosing yourself.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-V) is the guiding document that mental health professionals use when diagnosing mental health disorders. These diagnoses can only be made by licensed professionals, such as therapists, psychiatrists, or clinical psychologists. Talk to your primary care doctor if you are interested in a clinical assessment. You can also find a mental health provider here.

Some examples of widely known mental health disorders are:

Major depressive disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder
Schizophrenia
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Other, less common disorders, include:

Dissociative identity disorder
Hoarding disorder
Schizophreniform disorder
Borderline personality disorder

People with mental illness are capable of leading full, productive lives. One example is Dr. Elyn Saks who holds multiple advanced degrees and writes about her experience of being diagnosed with schizophrenia while completing a master’s degree at Oxford University in her book The Center Cannot Hold. Being diagnosed with a mental illness does not mean your life has to stop. It just means you need more tools and coping strategies to achieve your dreams. Therapy is a great way to build these resources within yourself.

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Mental Health Counseling and Therapy

The idea of starting therapy can be daunting, especially if you don’t know what to expect. Here I will introduce you to different types of professionals that you might encounter in treatment.

Licensed Counselor
Counselor, or therapist, is probably the first profession that comes to mind when thinking about mental health treatment. These individuals often have masters degrees and need to pass specific licensing exams, which vary by state. The various types of nationally recognized licensed counselors include:

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP) (American Counseling Association, n.d.)

Clinical Psychologist
A clinical psychologist is someone who has attended graduate school and has obtained a Ph.D. While they are considered doctors, they are not medical providers, meaning they do not have the ability to prescribe medication. Clinical psychologists have advanced training and experience conducting treatment with those having mental health problems. Most specialize in certain problems or disorders.

Psychiatrist
While they may provide some support and counseling, the main role a psychiatrist plays in mental health treatment is medication management. They are usually the only ones on a treatment team who have the ability to prescribe medication such as antidepressants or mood stabilizers.

In addition to the different types of mental health professionals, there are also different types of therapy.

Some common ones include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
Psychoanalytic therapy
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy

It might take a while to find the provider and type of therapy that works best for you. Try not to get discouraged if you need to try different professionals or treatment.

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Mental Health Hotlines

Being able to talk to someone about struggles with mental health can be very helpful if you find yourself having a crisis. Very recently–as of July 25, 2022–a national three-digit dial code to help those experiencing mental health issues was rolled out across the country. In 2020, Congress delegated funds to establish this universal dialing code from the previous National Suicide Prevention Line, which was a ten-digit 800 number (988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, n.d.).

Anyone can access the 24/7 suicide and crisis lifeline by dialing or texting 988 or chatting at https://988lifeline.org.

There are also numerous other helplines catered to different populations and problems. These lines may only be staffed during certain days or hours but they might be more helpful for you if you are experiencing a specific situation.

National Alliance on Mental Illness: (800)-950-NAMI
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: (800) 422-4453
National Sexual Assault Hotline: (800) 656-4673
War Vet Call Center: 1-877-927-8387
Women Veterans Call Center: 1-855-829-6636

Mental Health Resources

Hotlines are a great resource in a crisis situation but what about other resources for more long-term mental health care? Luckily, with the recognition of the importance of mental well-being in recent years, there are a number of resources available to you to help keep your emotional health in check.

Find a mental health provider
Initiating mental health treatment is a big step. The websites below can help you find a mental health provider in your area.

Find a Therapist

Find a support group
Connecting with other people who understand what you are going through is another great option to find help without the time and expense associated with formal therapy.

Mental Health First Aid

You have more than likely used a first aid kit at least once in your life; they contain items like band-aids, gauze, and antibiotic cream to help with physical ailments. The idea behind Mental Health First Aid is the same. After completing the training you are equipped with the necessary tools, like how to listen and what to listen for, to assist someone experiencing a mental health crisis or substance abuse issues. The training was developed by a nurse and mental health literacy professor and it has been completed by over 2.7 million people across the United States since 2008 (Mental Health First Aid, 2022).

Video: Mental Health First Aid Training

I completed Mental Health First Aid training in 2020 and it was a wonderful experience. I learned many helpful skills, such as the appropriate way to speak to someone who experienced trauma, that I still use today. If you are interested in completing the training, you can find a course near you here.

Lifestyle Changes for Mental Health

Our everyday habits can largely affect the way we feel. Consider making the following adjustments that have been scientifically proven to improve mental health.

Exercise
Moving your body is one of the best ways that you can improve your mood. Numerous research studies have shown that exercise has a positive effect on mental health, specifically relieving stress, anxiety, and depression (Mikkelsen et al., 2017). Lift weights, go on a walk, do yoga, or try any other exercise that feels good. Your body and mind will thank you.

Go Outside
Being exposed to green spaces has been shown to be associated with better self-perceptions of mental health (Triguero-Mas et al., 2015). Luckily you don’t have to go into the wilderness to experience benefits of nature. If you work in an office, try taking your lunch at a nearby local park. It’s a wonderful way to take a moment out of your day to relax outside.

Volunteer
Volunteering has been shown to have positive effects on mental health (Yeung et al., 2017). It is wonderful to feel like you are making a contribution or difference. By practicing selflessness, altruism, or putting others above yourself, you can improve your own well-being.

What Is Mental Health Awareness?

Awareness is action to bring attention to a certain subject or problem. Mental health awareness specifically brings attention to people experiencing psychological distress or illness. Awareness is an important concept because it helps spread knowledge. When more people understand what mental health struggles look like, it helps destigmatize them.

Video: Mental Health Awareness - Why Is Mental Health Important?

What Is Mental Health Day?

World Mental Health Day is an international awareness day for those suffering from mental health issues and disorders. The World Health Organization (WHO) created the day to “provide an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.” (WHO, n.d.). The day is recognized on the same date every year, October 10.

Having an entire day dedicated to mental health awareness around the world is an important signal to those who suffer that they are recognized and supported.

Quotes about Mental Health

Even if you feel alone in your mental health struggles, try and remember that you are not. The following quotes can serve as a reminder of that.

“There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.”— John Green
“No one would ever say that someone with a broken arm or a broken leg is less than a whole person, but people say that or imply that all the time about people with mental illness.”— Elyn R. Saks
“Over the course of the past decade, there’s been increased willingness to recognize mental health as an essential part of one’s well-being.”— Nicole Spector
“Mental health problems don’t define who you are. They are something you experience. You walk in the rain and you feel the rain, but, importantly, you are not the rain.” — Matt Haig
“Everyone experiences a version of anxiety or worry in their lives, and maybe we go through it in a different or more intense way for longer periods of time, but there’s nothing wrong with you.”— Emma Stone

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Articles Related to Mental Health

Want to learn more? Check out these articles:

Books Related to Mental Health

If you’d like to keep learning more, here are a few books that you might be interested in.

Final Thoughts on Mental Health

Your mental health encompasses your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Many people experience struggles related to their mental health and some people will even be diagnosed with psychological disorders. There are numerous resources including therapy, hotlines, and lifestyle changes to assist with improving your mental health. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a friend, loved one, or crisis hotline if you start to feel overwhelmed. You don’t have to go through your struggles alone.

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References

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. SAMHSA. (n.d.). Retrieved August 1, 2022.
Mikkelsen, K., Stojanovska, L., Polenakovic, M., Bosevski, M., &; Apostolopoulos, V. (2017). Exercise and mental health. Maturitas, 106, 48–56.
Nochaiwong, S., Ruengorn, C., Thavorn, K., Hutton, B., Awiphan, R., Phosuya, C., Ruanta, Y., Wongpakaran, N., &; Wongpakaran, T. (2021). Global prevalence of mental health issues among the general population during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific Reports, 11(1).
State licensing of professional counselors. American Counseling Association. (n.d.). Retrieved August 4, 2022.
Steel, Z., Marnane, C., Iranpour, C., Chey, T., Jackson, J. W., Patel, V., &; Silove, D. (2014). The global prevalence of common mental disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis 1980–2013. International Journal of Epidemiology, 43(2), 476–493.
Triguero-Mas, M., Dadvand, P., Cirach, M., Martínez, D., Medina, A., Mompart, A., Basagaña, X., Gražulevičienė, R., &; Nieuwenhuijsen, M. J. (2015). Natural outdoor environments and mental and physical health: Relationships and mechanisms. Environment International, 77, 35–41.
U.S. Reach. Mental Health First Aid. (2022, July 5). Retrieved August 1, 2022.
World Health Organization. (n.d.). Mental Health: Strengthening Our Response. World Health Organization. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
World Health Organization. (n.d.). World Mental Health Day. World Health Organization. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
Yeung, J. W., Zhang, Z., &; Kim, T. Y. (2017). Volunteering and health benefits in general adults: Cumulative effects and forms. BMC Public Health, 18(1).

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