Definition

What is mental health? Emotional, behavioral, and social maturity or normality; the absence of a mental or behavioral disorder; a state of psychological well-being in which one has achieved a satisfactory integration of one's instinctual drives acceptable to both oneself and one's social milieu; an appropriate balance of love, work, and leisure pursuits.

Why is mental health important? Mental health is important because includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

There will never be a day in which your mental health does not impact your life.

Groups

Much like there are different types of physical illness that are considered illnesses, there are different types of mental "issues" that are considered mental illnesses. Examples of this would be mood disorders which includes depression, bipolar disorder, and much more. This is used to help therapists or other medical health professionals treat their patients. Along with that, each group has a criteria in which places them in that category. For example, a mood disorder is a mental health problem that primarily affects a person's emotional state, in which a person experiences long periods of extreme happiness, extreme sadness, or both.

Resources

There are many resources set in place in order to help people that are dealing with mental health issues. Some of these include therapy, counseling, medication, hotlines, and many more. Therapy and counseling both involve, usually, face to face conversation with another person in which you talk out your problems. Medication is prescribed by a psychiatrist, which you are referred to by your therapist or counselor, but are never forced to take unless in dire circumstances. In the United States, there are phone numbers that you have the ability to call and talk to another person free of charge.