When the word “mental illness” is used, people tend to get apprehensive. No one wants to talk about a mental illness and many avoid those words at all costs! Chances are though that you know someone who has struggled with mental illness, whether or not they were diagnosised. Imagine someone with cancer or diabetes or who has suffered from a stroke. Would you avoid speaking about them? Or would you share your care and compassion? . That same care and compassion should be given to those with a mental disease as with those with a physical disease.
I most people also do not want to talk about mental health. Again these words make people anxious (no pun intended!) But do you know the difference between Mental Illness and Mental Health? Let me try to explain:
Mental illness is a diagnosable mental condition as listed, defined and described in the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5 is the current edition and is updated periodically). This diagnosis can only be assessed and given by a licensed professional in the mental health field (including but not limited to Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Marriage & Family Therapist, Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Psychologist).
Mental Health, just like physical health is a component of every single person. While there tends to be a lot of positive discussions about our physical health, no one wants to talk about their mental health. For example, when a loved one dies, we suffer grief and depression. Many get anxious when we fly in an airplane. Our mental health is impacted but we are not stuck and the discomfort is temporary. When we encounter stress from our job or a family member but can function, it is a matter of struggling through a temporary crisis. We ways to adapt and cope in light of any struggles that come our way.
With that knowledge to you see the importance and responsibility we all have to pay attention to both our physical and mental health. By the way, the mental and physical are almost always connected! We need to open out these lines of communication and support each other when we encounter mental health issues. And when they are more complicated and are diagnosable as a mental illness, we need to share our concerns and compassion!
May your path find you supporting others in their mental health and you being supported in return!