According to the World Health Organization, mental health is about more than just the absence of mental illness. It’s about our overall well-being and our capacity to cope with the normal stresses of life, to realize our skills and abilities, as well as to contribute to our communities. Our mental health can be impacted by social, psychological and biological factors, including poor physical health caused by conditions like arthritis.
Just like physical health, mental health is a part of everyone's life. And in the same way that our physical health can fluctuate, so can our mental health. Some days we might feel better than others. Sometimes we may feel unwell for a few days, like when we have a cold or when we’re sad about a current situation, but then feel better. Some people may be diagnosed with chronic conditions that may not go away but can be treated and managed. Mental health and well-being can affect us all and are just as important to pay attention to as our physical health.