3. The Language of Mental Health
Mental health terms are often used interchangeably or inaccurately. This section introduces the Mental Health Continuum and defines different mental health states so participants can begin to accurately use mental health terms and understand the difference between mental distress, mental health problem, and mental illness.
These slides are available for use with this section of the presentation. For information about downloading the slide deck, see the Introduction.
In the last 10 years, mental health awareness has increased to a point where we can openly discuss mental health in many contexts. Talking about mental health is an important part of decreasing the stigma associated with mental illness. However, when we are talking about mental health, we often use words loosely and interchangeably so that they can start to lose their true meaning.
We’re going to look at some models to help us understand the language of mental health. Mental health models challenge us to be more thoughtful about how we are using our words. They can help us differentiate between different mental health states: no distress, mental distress, mental health problems, and mental illness.
Mental Health Continuum
The Mental Health Continuum is one way to think about mental health. All of us have a mental health life; we all experience changes in our mood, changes in our level of anxiety – from life stressors or from crises – and those changes can be considered on a spectrum or a continuum. On this continuum, we can move from healthier to more disrupted levels of functioning and back. At each level, there are resources available to promote health and reduce disruption.
While it is important to recognize different people’s backgrounds and experiences when dealing with this language, it is crucial that we also recognize that there are a number of words that are specifically reserved for talking about diagnosed medical conditions.
Mental Health Terms
No distress
(Healthy – Normal functioning)
Starting at the left side of the continuum, we see the category No Distress. Most of us are in this state most of the time. This is when we’re having fun with our friends and families, engaging at school or work, enjoying ourselves in a recreational activity, reflecting on the day’s events, or even asleep. We can cope with whatever comes our way, and we can do the things we need or want to do. Thinking back to the Wellness Wheel, this is when everything is mostly in balance on the wheel or in our lives.
Mental distress
(Mild – Common and reversible distress)
When we experience daily mental distress and feel sad, disappointed, angry, or overwhelmed in the moment. These experiences of stress are to be expected at times in our lives; they may be common and reversible, and they are usually temporary, such as the stress we experience during exam time. We can maintain hope that when it’s all over, we’ll likely feel a lot better – the stressor will come to an end a