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Mental Health
Mental Health
Get help now if you need it.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, there is help available right now.
Don't wait—call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
 
Click here to see more resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What is mental health?
Mental health is a key part of behavioral health. It involves our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Good mental health helps us manage stress and recognize our strengths. It also allows us to learn well, work effectively, and give back to our community.

Good mental health does not mean feeling happy all the time. It means being able to cope with life’s challenges, maintain healthy relationships, and recover from difficult experiences. Mental health can change over time and is influenced by many factors, including life experiences, physical health, environment, and support systems. Seeking help when needed is a normal and important part of maintaining overall health and well-being.

Taking care of our mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through young, middle, and older adulthood.
Mental Health Throughout Life Taking care of our MENTAL HEALTH is important at every stage of life. Learn more at www.cdc.gov/mental-health Early + Middle Childhood Includes reaching developmental and emotional milestones and learning healthy social skills and how to cope when there are problems. Adolescence A time of important developmental changes when many health behaviors and habits are established and carry over into adult years. Physical, emotional, and social challenges, including exposure to poverty or violence, can make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems. Young Adulthood Positive mental health and well-being can help young adults through transitions, such as entering college or the workforce or starting a family. Middle Adulthood Life stressors can relate to jobs, parenting, caregiving, and relationships. Older Adulthood May experience life changes that impact their mental health, such as retirement, coping with a serious illness, or losing a loved one.


Mental and physical health are equally important components of overall health.
  • Mental health is closely linked to physical health.
  • For example, depression increases the risk for many types of physical, long-lasting (chronic) conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Similarly, the presence of chronic conditions can increase the risk for developing a mental health condition.
  • Addressing mental health and physical health needs can improve overall health.
Mental health is not simply the absence of a mental health condition—it is also about the presence of well-being and the ability to thrive.
  • Many factors influence our ability to thrive and experience optimal well-being, such as family and community relationships, access to opportunities, and environmental circumstances.
  • You can experience positive well-being even if you are living with a mental health condition. Having access to effective treatment that helps to manage symptoms along with presence of safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments can help.
  • People who don't have a mental health condition may still face challenges to their mental health.