What is the Difference between Mental Health and Mental Illness?
The term 'mental health' is commonly used to refer to issues surrounding 'mental illness' eg. 'mental health services', which can cause some confusion when trying to understand the difference between the two terms.

'Mental illness' refers to a diagnosed clinical condition. Common examples are depression, anxiety, psychosis and eating disorders. This website has an extensive range of fact sheets covering these disorders.

Mental health or 'mental wellbeing' is a positive concept and it is about more than the absence of mental illness. It refers to resilience and good functioning, but also incorporates flourishing, happiness and getting the most out of life.

It may be somewhat counterintuitive, but mental illness and mental wellbeing can be experienced by a single individual at the same time. Perhaps you know someone who has a diagnosed mental illness but is still able to engage in positive activity like work or volunteering, has a good network of support from family or friends, and is able to get significant enjoyment out of life. You may also know someone who shows no symptoms of a mental disorder but still has poor mental health, may have trouble maintaining relationships, employment and achieving their goals.

How Can I Improve My Mental Wellbeing?
The Mental Health Promotion Team has produced a range of resources to help you promote about your own mental wellbeing and of those around you in your family, friends, workplace or community.