There is no doubt that COVID-19 has affected our mental health. Statistics reflect a rise in mental illness globally, particularly in the areas of depression and anxiety. Psychology Today gives us a further breakdown of these statistics.
There is a difference between “mental health” and “mental illness.” However, many are unaware of the distinguishing differences which can, unfortunately, result in a confusion of the two separate terms.
People are generally taught to picture mental health as the “umbrella” under which mental illness falls. Though this is partly true, it is only for the purpose of a simplified explanation to those outside the mental health profession who struggle with separating the two concepts. It would certainly be easy to do if it were not something you were working with on a regular basis.
Having worked in mental health and with mental illness, I often hear the two terms juxtaposed or combined as one term that inadvertently winds up as a “blanket” description for both. This can result in unnecessary, biased assumptions about an individual’s overall mental health.
Without a complete understanding of the difference between mental health and mental illness, mental health is inappropriately categorized as mental illness, yet the two are separate concepts.
Mental health vs. mental illness
Mental health is one of four essential health elements that contribute to our overall well-being. Physical health, social health and environmental health are the other three. Naturally, all four elements deserve equal attention to assure a good life balance.
Mental health is a category of its own (you could say the “lead” of the four elements) and focuses on mental “health” concepts with an eye towards improving one’s quality of the other health elements—physical, social and environmental health.
Mental illness, on the other hand, refers to specific disorders such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and other mood disorders; disorders with which thinking, mood and behaviours can have a negative impact on an individual’s life.
The criterion for mental illness emanates from the DSM-5 (the Diagnostic Statistic Manual-5) which is the “bible” for mental health professionals for diagnosing individuals for treatment and defining billable insurance codes for health care providers. This is how one receives the label of a diagnosis of “mental illness.”
Not understanding the difference between mental health and mental illness can lead to inflaming stereotypes, stigmas, unnecessary fears and biases burdening the individual who is already struggling with mental illness. Preconceived notions that mental illness is “contagious” within a family can also create false misperceptions, which can unfairly harm other family members.
Bottom line: Is there a remedy to reducing misperceptions surrounding mental health versus mental illness? Education, training and awareness are important tools that can further educate you about the stigmas attached to both mental health and mental illness. The World Health Organization has some didactic educational, training and awareness pieces available. Eventbrite also offers free classes online, which can be taken in your free time.
If you are interested in becoming more proactive about learning the differences between mental health and mental illness, the following are some suggestions on how to better educate yourself about those differences in a very practical way. Once you’ve gleaned additional information, you can share your knowledge with others:
- Become a volunteer at local organizations such as Community Living, which could certainly educate you about mental illness.
- Become part of a campaign that de-stigmatizes mental illness—online, of course, at this moment in time.
- Become an advocate for mental health when you join campaigns or online support groups promoting training, education and awareness about stigmas attached to mental illness.
- Spend time with friends and family members who may be struggling with their mental health or a mental illness, and share your positivity with them to uplift them. Whether they have a mental illness or not, the reality of COVID is that too many people are living an isolated life, and everyone can use some company.
- Communicate by phone, email or social media chat to help friends and/or family members who are struggling with mental illness not feel so isolated.
- Take care of yourself and your own mental health. It’s important to maintain self-care so you can, in turn, be there for others.
- Accept that we all have some issues we need to process, heal from and work through, but ultimately, we are all in it together and thus need to strive for a greater collective understanding.
Given the rise in statistics in the area of mental illness, there is a need for greater involvement, particularly with our youth who continue to struggle not only generally, but with anxiety and depression specifically. COVID has only exacerbated their anxiety and depression, resulting in an alarming rise in mental illness disorders.
The theme of Mental Health Week (May 2 to 8, 2022) is developing empathy towards individuals struggling with mental illness and recognizing that our words have a significant impact on the world’s perception about mental health and mental illness, as well as the stigmas, biases and incorrect assumptions attached to them.
“Collaboration is the key to success” – Richard Branson
image 1 Wokandapix from Pixabay 2 chenspec from Pixabay
