Mental health and mental illness: understanding the difference

We’re hearing about mental health on the news, from our friends, on social media, and on the street. It’s topical and relevant as people struggle with the third wave of the pandemic. While we love the increased conversation about mental health, it’s also presenting an additional challenge.

Mental health is being used as a very general term these days, encompassing everything from anxiety and depression to feeling stressed and busy with the daily grind. In truth, there is a monumental difference between suffering from a mental illness and feeling challenged with your mental health and wellness. 

Learning and understanding the difference can work to reduce the stigma around mental illness and also increase our insight and perspective on mental health and wellness. 

Mental illness is prevalent in Canada

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, one in five people in Canada will experience a mental health problem or illness in any given year. 

A mental illness is a diagnosed disorder that can impact how a person thinks and behaves. It could be anything from substance use to anxiety, schizophrenia and depression. Mental illness doesn’t discriminate against age or gender either. We know our young people are suffering as well, in fact, it’s estimated that between 10-20 per cent of Canadian youth are impacted by a mental illness. 

Here are two prevalent mental illnesses we see in our community. 

Anxiety. This is a very common form of mental illness and it presents in many different forms. While one person may have a phobia, someone else may have social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder. One in four adults will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their life. 

Depression. Approximately eight per cent of adults will experience a major depression at some point in their lives. Depression goes beyond feeling down and gloomy here and there. A treatable mental illness, someone suffering from depression experiences everything from sadness and loss of interest in activities to feelings of worthlessness and difficulty concentrating. It can also result in social isolation. 

Anxiety disorders, depression and other mental illnesses are treatable. With help from your family doctor and counselling support at Some Other Solutions, we can help you learn coping and relaxation strategies, mindfulness skills and more. Ready out for help.

Recognizing the importance of mental health and wellness

While 20 per cent of the population will suffer from a mental illness this year, 100 per cent of us will experience mental health highs and lows. 

Mental health is about our emotional and social wellbeing. In short: how are you feeling? 

Taking time to practice self-care, getting proper sleep, maintaining a regular exercise routine - all of these activities directly play a role in our mental health and wellness. 

Finding an emotional balance between all of the pressures we face on a daily basis can be a challenge. It often starts with small changes that can make a big impact. Block time in your calendar for wellness breaks. Go for a walk around the block. Stretch. Phone a friend. 

Part of mental wellness is also seeing a counsellor before a challenge hits. Crisis prevention is about taking care of your mental health when life isn’t challenging. Then you’ll have the emotional resiliency built up to tackle whatever heads your way. 

Strength in the community comes from the individuals who live here. Whether you’re suffering from a mental illness or struggling to find balance and self-care, we are here for you.