Mental Health vs Mental Ill Health: Understanding and Terminology

What is Mental Health and Mental Ill Health?

Mental health encompasses everyone's emotional and psychological well-being. Mental ill health occurs when someone struggles to cope with life's challenges and pressures.

Unhelpful Terminology to Avoid

Terms like "off their head," "going quietly mad," "not fully functioning," or "short of a picnic" are not constructive when discussing mental ill health.

These terms can:

• Discourage seeking help
• Create feelings of being labelled or judged
• Dismiss the seriousness of the person's experiences

Why Avoid These Terms?

Using stigmatising language can prevent individuals from seeking necessary support. It may make them feel misunderstood or ashamed, hindering their willingness to open up about their feelings.

Recommended Terminology

Instead of stigmatising terms, use:

• "Difficulty in coping with things"
• "Feeling things aren't quite right at the moment"
• "Not feeling at my best"
• Or any personal description that accurately reflects your feelings.

When talking to someone else about their mental well-being, consider starting with supportive statements such as, "I've noticed things aren't as easy for you as they used to be." This approach encourages open dialogue.