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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:
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?

RedPony1 · 10/01/2024 11:33

I see it a lot on Social Media and often think the same! It's not a complete sentence.

Original poster
Makeitmakesensetoday · 10/01/2024 11:31

I've just read a thread on AIBU that mentions this. Is about being registered disabled and the first post says 'I have mental health'

I dont know how to link to it.

OP posts:
hanahsaunt · 10/01/2024 11:30

I have seen it on Fit Notes at work. They are suffering from mental health. Apart from being completely stupid it tells me nothing about how I can help.

underneaththeash · 10/01/2024 11:29

Everyone has mental health. It usually goes in the same sentence as Iv for I've.

YouJustDoYou · 10/01/2024 11:28

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 once heard or seen that either, apart from this post.

Zimunya · 10/01/2024 11:28

We ALL have mental health - some of us have poor mental health, some of us have good mental health, but we all have it. So, as a sentence, it makes sense. It's like saying "I have feet" - most of us do. When it is unreasonable is when people use it to denote mental health issues or problems - because then it definitely doesn't make sense.

Woahtherehoney · 10/01/2024 11:27

Yes! I’ve not seen it on mumsnet but have heard it in real life/on tv.

We all have mental health but not all of our mental health is impacted so you need to actually give some context. “I suffer with my mental health” makes sense - but not just “I have mental health”

ManateeFair · 10/01/2024 11:27

Yes, it makes no sense just to say 'I've got mental health'.

I suspect that in most cases on Mumsnet, though, if people are saying that, it's just because they're typing fast and accidentally missed out a word.

I have only ever once heard it said by someone in normal conversation and it was by someone who also has learning difficulties and struggles to express herself articulately anyway.

Lammveg · 10/01/2024 11:26

I agree it's a weird thing to say but it's just one of those things that has become a phrase for meaning having poor mental health.

Thekormachameleon · 10/01/2024 11:26

This drives me absolutely insane

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 ?

eurochick · 10/01/2024 11:25

You are right. This phrasing makes no sense. (No voting on the app)

milesmachine · 10/01/2024 11:25

Maybe I've missed it but I've actually never seen this on Mumsnet. I've seen 'I have mental health problems' which makes sense

I agree, the sentence is hanging without something on the end of it...but I've not seen it written without 'problems' on the end on MN