Mental wellness is a term that considers psychological, physical, emotional, and social well-being. Looking at the whole self in this way can help people flourish. Mental wellness is relevant to all of us, not just those experiencing mental health challenges.

Mental wellness isn’t just the opposite of a mental health condition like anxiety or depression. While treating these conditions may help put people on a path toward mental wellness, it’s not the whole picture.

 

Mental wellness is marked by:

• feeling up to the challenges of day-to-day life

• experiencing moments of pleasure and joy in activities or relationships

• feeling satisfaction with life

• experiencing positive emotions

• having the resources to help cope with the circumstances you face.

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Everyone’s challenges and resources are different. Our mental wellness can be impacted by our family, friends, community, the environment in which we live, and what is happening in the world at large. So, it fluctuates as circumstances change. But with helpful tools and support, when faced with challenges, young people and adults can lean into their strengths and develop resilience: an ability to handle difficulties and move forward.