The World Health Organisation defines the mental wellbeing of a person as:
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Realising their own potential and abilities
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Coping with the normal stresses of life
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Working productively and fruitfully
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Making a positive contribution to the life of your community, whether that is in your school or your family and friends.
What is Mental ill Health?
Mental health problems affect our thoughts and feelings and change how we see the world. Some feelings associated with mental ill health are sadness, anxiety, hopelessness or low self-esteem. It is these feelings or disorder of thoughts that contributes to a compromise of your 'mental wellbeing' and your ability to carry on with 'normal life' is inhibited.
It is when these feelings become more intense, occur over a longer period of time or effect the way you normally live your life, that a doctor may diagnose you as having a 'mental health problem'.
Who suffers from Mental ill Health?
Anyone can suffer from a mental health problem. It is not selective to how rich you are, where you live or what you do for a living. People from all walks of life have the potential to suffer from mental ill health. There are things that can make you more likely to suffer from mental ill health, such as traumatic experiences, your upbringing and your personality but circumstances that trigger mental ill health in one person may not in another. 1 in 4 people in the UK are diagnosed with mental ill health.
1 in 4 people experience mental ill health
Research indicates that one in four people experience some mental ill health problems in their lives. Consequently, mental health is an issue for everyone. The events being held in Torfaen for this year's World Mental Health Day aim to tackle the stigma and prejudice surrounding mental illness and help us all to take action to improve our mental health and emotional well being. However World Mental Health day is not just a one-day event; preparations go on for months beforehand and raising awareness about mental illness is a long-term educational effort.