| Aspect | Mental Health | Mental Illness |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Refers to a state of well-being that includes emotional, psychological, and social aspects. | Involves diagnosable conditions that significantly disrupt an individual's thinking, feeling, mood, behavior, or ability to relate to others. |
| State vs. Disorder | Represents a continuum ranging from optimal mental well-being to minor challenges. | Denotes specific conditions characterized by clinically significant disturbances in thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Mental illnesses often require clinical diagnosis and treatment. |
| Normal Variation | Includes the normal variation in mental well-being experienced by individuals. | Reflects conditions that deviate significantly from the expected range of mental functioning. It is not considered a normal part of the human experience. |
| Preventive Measures | Involves proactive measures to maintain and enhance mental well-being, such as self-care, stress management, and seeking support. | Focuses on diagnosing and treating specific mental health disorders. While preventive measures exist, they often target individuals at risk or with early symptoms. |
| Examples | Examples include engaging in stress-reducing activities, maintaining healthy relationships, practicing mindfulness, and seeking emotional support. | Examples include conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other clinically recognized mental health disorders. |
| Stigma | Generally destigmatized, as it encompasses a broad spectrum of mental well-being. | May be stigmatized due to misconceptions, stereotypes, and societal attitudes surrounding mental illness. Efforts aim to reduce stigma and promote understanding. |
| Treatment Focus | Focuses on promoting overall well-being and preventing mental health challenges. Treatment may involve counseling, psychoeducation, lifestyle changes, and support networks. | Focuses on diagnosing and treating specific mental health disorders using evidence-based interventions, including therapy, medication, and support services. |
| Individual Experience | Every individual has mental health, and the experience varies. | Specific to individuals diagnosed with a recognized psychiatric disorder. It involves distress and impairment that go beyond typical variations in mental well-being. |
| Holistic Well-Being | Part of holistic well-being, encompassing psychological, emotional, and social aspects of health. | While mental health contributes to holistic well-being, mental illness requires targeted interventions to address specific symptoms and challenges. |
Understanding the difference between mental health and mental illness is crucial for promoting overall well-being and providing appropriate support and treatment when needed. Mental health represents a broader spectrum, while mental illness refers to specific conditions that deviate significantly from optimal mental well-being.