Everyone reading this has mental health.
Just like our physical health, our mental health is something we all have, and something we need to look after.
Mental health and mental illness aren’t necessarily the same thing. Mental health relates to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, handle stress, and connect with others.
Mental illness refers to conditions that can affect our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and schizophrenia are just a few examples.
But here’s something important to remember. You don’t need to be diagnosed with a mental illness to struggle with your mental health.
We’ve all experienced difficult periods in our lives. Whether it’s stress, burnout, losing someone we love, or simply feeling overwhelmed by everything going on around us, nobody is immune to the highs and lows of life.
And just because someone is living with a mental illness doesn’t mean they can’t experience positive mental well-being.
Mental health is complex, and everyone’s experience is different. What good mental health looks like for one person might look completely different for someone else.
Some important parts of positive mental health include:
1. Having a sense of purpose
2. Building and maintaining strong relationships
3. Feeling connected to others
4. Being self-aware
5. Finding healthy ways to cope with stress
6. Being able to enjoy life
Mental Health in Canada
Mental health challenges affect millions of Canadians.
According to Statistics Canada’s 2022 Mental Health and Access to Care Survey, more than 5 million Canadians aged 15 and older met the criteria for a mood, anxiety, or substance use disorder during the previous 12 months.
Behind every statistic is a real person, with their own experiences, challenges, and story.
We’ve come a long way in how we talk about mental health, but there’s still work to be done. Reducing stigma, improving access to support, and encouraging open conversations are all important.
Looking after our mental health shouldn’t be something we only think about when we’re struggling. It should be part of our everyday lives, just like looking after our physical health.