I have listened to Piers Morgan talking about mental health and what he said has resonated so much with me that it made the obvious even more clear.

If you are into or against a particular celebrity or what they stand for, sometimes they may come up with thought-provoking ideas or understanding and send across a great piece of information.

This is one of them.

This is what he had to say on mental health:

“I think this generation in particular has lost the ability to look at mental strength and resilience, and triumph over adversity and being tough in difficult times as badges of honour. They’ve almost become badges of shame, where people feel like it’s wrong to have a stiff upper lip, to be strong minded, to be resilient, to be tough under pressure.

I think we should separate mental health from mental illness. I don’t think mental health is an issue to even be debated particularly. We all have mental health but if you have a mental illness, you need help…

Right now people are — it seems to me — looking at normal life stuff as some for of mental illness. Anxiety is exploding. People saying they’re mentally sick. The incidence of that is exploding. How can that be happening when it’s all we’re talking about 24/7.

I think we are going about it the wrong way. I think what we’re losing in this debate is a celebration of resilience and mental strength…

I am talking about people who are thinking that normal stuff that’s happening in my life, which we all have to go through: grief, when you lose a loved one, trouble at work, trouble with relationships, whatever it may be. You’ve got to learn to be more resilient about these things because that is life.

“Life,” as Rocky Balboa said, “is not a bed of roses. Life is tough. It is not how many times you can hit, it is how many times you can get hit, get knocked down and get back up and keep moving forward.”

That is what life is about and I don’t think we spend enough time helping people to be mentally strong and resilient. We’re spending too much time encouraging a kind a wallowing in self pity and weakness, and it is — I’m afraid — demonstrably not working.”

What do you think?

Something to take from this is that there is indeed a huge misunderstanding between what is mental health and mental ill-health.

It is true in all aspects of life, even science, where mental health and mental illness are two distinct concepts that are often used interchangeably. This is why it is important to understand the difference between the two, as it can help individuals better handle the stress of life and become more resilient.

Mental Health vs Mental Illness

Mental health refers to a person's overall psychological well-being. It includes the ability to manage emotions, cope with stress, maintain healthy relationships, and make decisions. Mental health is not just the absence of mental illness but rather a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.[1]

On the other hand, mental ill-health refers to a state of psychological or emotional well-being that deviates from what is considered healthy or normal. It encompasses a wide range of conditions and disorders that affect a person's thoughts, feelings, behaviour, and how they function, and very often the people around them too.

Mental ill-health can manifest in various forms and severities, ranging from mild to severe, and can have a significant impact on a person's daily life, relationships, and overall quality of life.

Common examples of mental health conditions include anxiety disorders (e.g., generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder), mood disorders (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder), psychotic disorders (e.g., schizophrenia), eating disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa), and substance use disorders (e.g., drug or alcohol addiction). Additionally, there are neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder — ADD/ADHD, autism spectrum disorders), personality disorders, and many other conditions that fall under the umbrella of mental ill-health.

How do you know you suffer from anxiety or depression?

Why understanding the difference is important?

Understanding the difference between mental health and mental illness is crucial for several reasons. First, it helps reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and not be carried by the media's flashy headlines. Stigma can prevent individuals from seeking help when they need it most.[2]

Secondly, understanding the difference between mental health and mental illness can help individuals recognise when they need help. It is essential to seek help when experiencing symptoms of mental illness or when a loved one is experiencing mental health problems.

Understanding the difference between mental health and mental illness can help individuals become more resilient. Here are a few more reasons:

1. Promotes self-awareness: Recognising the distinction between mental health and mental illness helps individuals develop a deeper understanding of their own mental well-being. It allows them to identify the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges early on, fostering a sense of self-awareness. With this awareness, individuals can take proactive steps to maintain good mental health and seek help when needed, potentially preventing the progression of mental health issues.

2. Reduces stigma: Differentiating mental health from mental illness helps challenge the stigma and misconceptions surrounding mental health conditions. Mental illnesses are not the monsters depicted by the papers and flashy headlines asking us to fear and keep away from those particular individuals, and that there is nothing wrong to seek help. This also encourages individuals to be more open about their mental health, seek support when needed, and engage in conversations that promote understanding and empathy.

3. Empowers help-seeking behaviours: By understanding that mental health exists on a spectrum and that mental illness is a legitimate health concern, individuals are more likely to seek help when needed. They recognise that experiencing mental health challenges does not equate to personal weakness or failure. This awareness empowers individuals to reach out to mental health professionals, follow through with therapy, or utilise available support networks to address their concerns, thus promoting resilience and recovery.

4. Builds coping strategies: The focus is on developing coping strategies and self-care practices that promote overall mental well-being. Instead of solely reacting to mental health crises, individuals can proactively engage in activities that support mental wellness, such as practising stress management techniques and mindfulness, maintaining healthy relationships, engaging in physical activity, and pursuing hobbies, and other feel-good activities. These strategies enhance resilience by equipping individuals with tools to manage stress, bounce back from adversity, and maintain good mental health.

5. Supporting others: Understanding the distinction between mental health and mental illness enables individuals to support and advocate for others who may be experiencing mental health challenges. By being knowledgeable and empathetic, individuals can provide a supportive environment, offer appropriate resources and referrals, and contribute to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. This act of support and understanding can positively impact the resilience and recovery of individuals facing mental health issues.

Resilience

Resilience refers to an individual's ability to adapt to stress and adversity. It is seen as an important factor in maintaining good mental health.

Resilience can be developed through various techniques such as mindfulness meditation, journalling, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and social support by helping you understand your coping mechanisms (or lack of) and replace those with more helpful/healthy solutions.

10 STRATEGIES FOR SUPPORTING EMOTIONAL, MENTAL, AND SPIRITUAL RESILIENCE

Mental health and mental illness in a nutshell

Mental Health

• Refers to a person's overall psychological well-being.

• Includes the ability to manage emotions, cope with stress, maintain healthy relationships, and make decisions.

• Mental health is always there and may be positive or negative.

Mental Illness

• Refers to a wide range of mental health conditions that affect a person's mood, thinking, and behaviour.

• Mental illnesses can range from mild to severe and can interfere with a person's daily life.

• Mental illness affects a person's ability to function over a long period of time.

• Mental illness is not the same as feeling sad, unhappy, or stressed because of difficult situations.

References

1. Source: WHO. (2022). Mental health. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response

2. Hernandez, SH. Morgan, BJ. Parshall, MB. (2016). Resilience, stress, stigma, and barriers to mental healthcare in U.S. Air Force nursing personnel. Nursing Research. 65(6), pp. 481-486. doi:10.1097/NNR.0000000000000182