What it means
The state of the mind and emotions, which shapes how a person handles stress, relates to others and makes choices. Good mental health is more than the absence of mental illnessMEN-tul IL-nisA health condition that changes a person's thinking, mood or behavior and causes distress or problems in daily life.Full entry : it is being able to cope with everyday life, work and connect with others. It can change over a lifetime.
For the nurse
Screen for depression, anxiety, substance use and suicide risk as part of routine care, and ask directly about thoughts of self-harm when there are concerns. Mental health care is part of caring for the whole person.
At a glance
| Spanish | salud mental |
|---|---|
| Also written | mental-health |
Related terms
psych/o
A word root that means mind.
stressor
Anything that causes stress, such as an illness, a loss, a change, pain or a threat.
well-being
A state of being healthy, comfortable and content in body, mind and social life.
mental illness
A health condition that changes a person's thinking, mood or behavior and causes distress or problems in daily life.