Mental Health: MedlinePlus

Mental Health: MedlinePlus



It can help you:
•Cope with the stresses of life
•Be physically healthy
•Have good relationships
•Make meaningful contributions to your community
•Work productively
•Realize your full potential

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Mental Health

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

• Learn to manage your anger

Related Health Topics

• Child Mental Health
• Mental Disorders
• Teen Mental Health

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Mental Health is theNational Institute of Mental Health

Other Languages

Find health information in languages other than English on Mental Health

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Summary

What is mental health?

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act as we cope with life. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

What are mental illnesses?

Mental illnesses are serious disorders which can affect your thinking, mood, and behavior. They may be occasional or long-lasting. They can affect your ability to relate to others and function each day. Mental disorders are common; more than half of all Americans will be diagnosed with a mental disorder at some time in their life. But there are treatments. People with mental health problems can get better, and many of them recover completely.

Why is mental health important?

Mental health is important because it can help you to

• Cope with the stresses of life
• Be physically healthy
• Have good relationships
• Make meaningful contributions to your community
• Work productively
• Realize your full potential

How can I improve my mental health?

There are steps you can take to help you improve your mental health. They include

• Staying positive
• Being physically active
• Connecting with others
• Developing a sense of meaning and purpose in life
• Getting enough sleep
• Developing coping skills
• Meditating
• Getting professional help if you need it

Start Here

• Live Your Life Well (Mental Health America)
• Mental Health: Keeping Your Emotional Health (American Academy of Family Physicians)Also in Spanish
• Mind/Body Connection: How Your Emotions Affect Your Health(American Academy of Family Physicians)Also in Spanish
• Positive Emotions and Your Health: Developing a Brighter Outlook  (National Institutes of Health)Also in Spanish
• What Is Mental Health? (Department of Health and Human Services)

Diagnosis and Tests

• Mental Health Screening  (National Library of Medicine)Also in Spanish
• Mental Health: What's Normal, What's Not? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish

Treatments and Therapies

• Meditation  (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
• Relaxation Techniques for Health  (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
• Yoga for Health  (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)

Related Issues

• Building Social Bonds: Connections That Promote Well-Being  (National Institutes of Health)Also in Spanish
• For a Healthy Mind and Body Talk to a Psychologist (American Psychological Association)Also in Spanish
• Forgiveness: Letting Go of Grudges and Bitterness(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish
• Friendships: Enrich Your Life and Improve Your Health(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish
• How to Be Happy: Tips for Cultivating Contentment(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish
• Mental Health and Heart Health (American Heart Association)
• Mindfulness Exercises: How to Get Started (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish
• Practicing Gratitude: Ways to Improve Positivity  (National Institutes of Health)Also in Spanish
• Road to Resilience (American Psychological Association)Also in Spanish

Specifics

• Anger Management (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
• Care and Connection: Loneliness Affects All Ages  (National Institutes of Health)Also in Spanish
• Creating a Healthier Life: A Step-By-Step Guide to Wellness(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - PDF
• Latino Mental Health (NAMI)
• Self-Esteem Check: Too Low, Too High or Just Right?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish

Statistics and Research

• Do Social Ties Affect Our Health? Exploring the Biology of Relationships (National Institutes of Health)Also in Spanish
• Shake it Off: Boosting Your Mood  (National Institutes of Health)Also in Spanish

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Mental Health  (National Institutes of Health)

Journal ArticlesReferences and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: The association between occupational stress and psychosomatic wellbeing among Chinese nurses:... 
• Article: Update on Mental Health Aspects of Intimate Partner Violence. 
• Article: Effectiveness of a tailored implementation strategy to improve adherence to a... 
• Mental Health -- see more articles 

Find an Expert

• American Psychiatric Association 
• National Institute of Mental Health 
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

Children

• Child Mental Health: MedlinePlus Health Topic  (National Library of Medicine)Also in Spanish

Teenagers

• Teen Mental Health: MedlinePlus Health Topic  (National Library of Medicine)Also in Spanish

Women

• Good Mental Health (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health)

Patient Handouts

• Learn to manage your anger (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish