Understanding the Distinction: Mental Health versus Mental Illness and Why it’s Important

"Mental well-being" and "mental disorders" are often used interchangeably, but their meanings are not the same. Mental well-being encompasses one's mental and emotional state, while mental disorders are clinically diagnosed conditions that alter thoughts and behavior patterns. Even though every individual may occasionally experience periods of diminished mental well-being, not all will be diagnosed with a mental disorder. Conversely, those diagnosed with mental disorders can still achieve periods of good mental well-being.