Families

What is mental health?

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices

Mental health problems are very common

• 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England 
• 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (like anxiety and depression) in any given week in England

You are NOT alone!

Good mental health is important because it can help you to:

• Cope with the stresses of life.
• Be physically healthy.
• Have good relationships.
• Make meaningful contributions to your community.
• Work productively.
• Realize your full potential.

Signs and symptoms of poor mental health

Signs and symptoms of mental illness can vary, depending on the disorder, circumstances and other factors. Mental illness symptoms can affect emotions, thoughts and behaviours.

Examples of signs and symptoms include:

• Feeling sad or down
• Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate
• Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt
• Extreme mood changes of highs and lows
• Withdrawal from friends and activities
• Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping
• Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia or hallucinations
• Inability to cope with daily problems or stress
• Trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people
• Problems with alcohol or drug use
• Major changes in eating habits
• Excessive anger, hostility or violence

Sometimes symptoms of a mental health disorder appear as physical problems, such as stomach pain, back pain, headaches, or other unexplained aches and pains.