WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH?
Almost sixty years ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." This definition opened the window to an increased recognition of the human as a holistic being of mind, body and spirit, and propelled the need to better understand the interrelationship between physical and mental health.

Mental health is how a person thinks, feels, and acts when faced with life's situations. It is how people look at themselves, their lives, and the other people in their lives, evaluate their challenges and problems, and explore choices. This includes handling stress, relating to other people, and making decisions.

The HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration's (SAMHSA) vision is "a life in the community for everyone." Their mission is to build resilience and facilitate recovery in the areas of substance abuse and mental illness.

Mental Health Problems
Also known as Mental Disorders and/or Mental Illness
Mental health problems are real. They affect one's thoughts, body, feelings, and behavior. Mental health problems are not just a passing phase. They can be severe, seriously interfere with a person's life, and even cause a person to become disabled.

Mental disorders constitute an immense burden on the U.S. population, with major depression now the leading cause of disability in the U.S., and schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (manic depressive disorder), and obsessive compulsive disorder ranked among the ten leading causes of disability. One person in four has been diagnosed with a mental disorder in the last 12 months and is consequently in need of services.

These disorders cause distress and result in a reduced ability to function psychologically, socially, occupationally, or interpersonally. People who have a mental illness might have trouble handling such things as daily activities, family responsibilities, relationships, or work and school responsibilities. You can have trouble with one area or all of them, to a greater or lesser degree. And you can have more than one type of mental illness at the same time.