When we talk about mental health, we’re talking about our mental well-being: our emotions, our thoughts and feelings, our ability to solve problems and overcome difficulties, our social connections and our understanding of the world around us.
A mental illness is an illness that affects the way people think, feel, or interact with others. There are many different mental illnesses and they have different symptoms that impact people’s lives in different ways. Just as someone who feels unwell may not have a serious illness, people may have poor mental health without mental illness. Just as it’s possible to have poor mental health but no mental illness, it’s entirely possible to have a good mental health even with a diagnosis of a mental illness. That’s because mental illnesses (like other health problems) are often episodic, meaning there are times (episodes) of ill health and times of better or good health. If you feel you may be experiencing challenges with your mental well-being or may have signs and symptoms of a mental illness, please come in and speak to one of our qualified therapists.