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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I have mental health

139 replies

Makeitmakesensetoday · 10/01/2024 11:24

Not a goady thread at all, genuinely do not understand the terminology but I see it on mumsnet and elsewhere a lot.

People say 'I have mental health' but to me this seems like an unfinished sentence.... should end with 'issues/problems/conditions' etc.

We'd never say 'I have physical health' we would say I have physical health conditions and then maybe discuss them if relevant.

Where did this phrase come from? I'm quite an open person so I'd probably say 'I have depression' but for those that just say 'I have mental health' why do you say it? It makes no sense. Health is something we all have - health problems or conditions we may not all have?!

YABU 'I have mental health' makes sense
YANBU you're right it makes no sense

OP posts:
Isthisreasonable · 10/01/2024 12:57

Teenagers refer to having mental health all the time. Keep having to say everyone has mental health, the difference is whether you have good, bad or indifferent mental health.

friendlyflicka · 10/01/2024 12:54

As someone with life long and severe bipolar disorder, I consider myself to have a mental illness and, agree, the term really annoys me

OldTinHat · 10/01/2024 12:54

Never heard this before?

INeedCharcoalPants · 10/01/2024 12:52

YANBU OP, I trained as a nurse years ago and when we were doing our MH module, someone else on the course described this patient group as 'mental health people'. Was disrespectful and our lecturer was less than impressed

MissWatercress · 10/01/2024 12:52

Yes, I see this all the time on social media and on local news websites, especially in the comments section. For example, "I'm fumin the bus times have changed, my daughter's got mental health so she can't leave the house 5 minutes earlier."

TeamsMeetingTrauma · 10/01/2024 12:50

I work in this field and it’s so irritating to read/hear!

fromhellsheartistabatthee · 10/01/2024 12:49

SheFliesLikeABirdInTheSky · 10/01/2024 11:26

I have NEVER heard anyone say 'I have mental health.' Confused Who SAYS that?

Can you link to a thread where someone has said this @Makeitmakesensetoday ?

I've heard people say 'he's got Mental Elf'.

Terribleatthis · 10/01/2024 12:47

There was an advert at one point that said something like “1 in 3 people suffer from mental health”

it used to really annoy me, surely it should be “suffer with their mental health” or be something like “suffer from mental health problems”

I grumbled every time it was on.

flea101 · 10/01/2024 12:45

Everyone has mental health as we all have brains! It can be good, bad, indifferent etc but I think it is not a complete sentence to say "I have mental health".

ChrisPPancake · 10/01/2024 12:23

fliptopbin · 10/01/2024 12:12

The sarcastic part of me wants to reply that everyone has mental health, but not everyone has a grasp of grammar! But I am not a bitch, so So I keep that thought in my head, and just let my teeth itch!

Was going to write almost exactly that. Had to check the username in case I'd already posted Grin

User79853257976 · 10/01/2024 12:22

Yes it’s unfinished. It’s similar to the ‘I have a viral’ that I have seen.

Agapornis · 10/01/2024 12:12

I've only heard it said (irl) by British people aged around 50-65 who grew up poor, maybe it's a generational/circumstances thing?

fliptopbin · 10/01/2024 12:12

The sarcastic part of me wants to reply that everyone has mental health, but not everyone has a grasp of grammar! But I am not a bitch, so So I keep that thought in my head, and just let my teeth itch!

AnnaMagnani · 10/01/2024 12:09

@Centralperky they don't necessarily even have mental illness.

Often used to mean I was really upset or I was very anxious.

Centralperky · 10/01/2024 11:59

Completely agree, see it being misused often - you don’t have mental health, you have mental illness.

SirenSays · 10/01/2024 11:54

I've seen it a few times here but lots IRL. I auto complete it in my head now because it feels so wrong and incomplete.

rubydoobydoo · 10/01/2024 11:52

This annoys me too - I deal with members of the public and hear it ALL THE TIME.

I have to bite my tongue wanting to correct them as it really wouldn't help their situation if I did!

EdinGirl · 10/01/2024 11:51

SheFliesLikeABirdInTheSky · 10/01/2024 11:26

I have NEVER heard anyone say 'I have mental health.' Confused Who SAYS that?

Can you link to a thread where someone has said this @Makeitmakesensetoday ?

I've never seen or heard this either 🤔

Original poster
Makeitmakesensetoday · 10/01/2024 11:50

amicissimma · 10/01/2024 11:49

I've also seen 'my mental health was through the roof'.

Oh yes I see that loads on mumsnet!! Never heard anyone say anything like that in real life though.

OP posts:
amicissimma · 10/01/2024 11:49

I've also seen 'my mental health was through the roof'.

ErnestCelendine · 10/01/2024 11:46

I agree OP!

Atethehalloweenchocs · 10/01/2024 11:46

You are right, it is an uneducated and silly way to refer to having problems.

Original poster
Makeitmakesensetoday · 10/01/2024 11:40

milesmachine · 10/01/2024 11:35

I've seen the thread you're referring to OP and to be honest I think it's just a typo as she has abbreviated to MH as well.

It's not a phrase I've ever heard or seen written here without 'problems' or 'issues' at the end of it?

It's not! Not a typo. It's an intentional phrase that people are using sometimes these days and I can't figure it out.

OP posts:
TwiddlingMyToes · 10/01/2024 11:39

I havent seen it, but it feels the same as those who say "my child IS ASD", or "IS ADHD". It makes no sense and is reaaaaally grating.

sarahc336 · 10/01/2024 11:36

As a therapist this phrase makes my toes curl 🙈 awful phrase 😂