‘Mental Health’

[ShivD]

I keep seeing comments here and other places referring to someone having ‘mental health’ in relation to them having mental ill health.

Is this now a recognised way to write about mental health issues/ ill health? e.g Alexandra’s off because she’s got mental health’

Surely that’s the same as saying ‘Francis is off today because he’s got health’ rather than saying ‘ill health’. Or have a missed a suggested way of o reference MH?

I think it's a clumsy way to say it, but at least people are talking about mental health & poor mental health, which is a small step fowards.

The opposite of "health" is illness, so it would follow that the opposite of "mental health" would be "mental illness", but I'm not sure that's a helpful or correct label for many people.

Not sure what the answer is. Still think it's better to use "mental health" than some derogatory term, or a euphemism which implies that to have difficulties with mental health is shameful or a weakness, which it isn't, & when we need to be more supportive.

It bugs the shit out of me, but I am a massive pedant. 'Mental health problems/issues' is what I always say, or mental illness.

I also hate the term, it's vague, imprecise and sounds evasive to me.

It's like just answering 'illness' when someone asks "what's wrong?" either it's none of their business, or it's enough of their business to have a proper conversation about it.

You are absolutely right but it doesnt bother me all that much in the grand scheme of things.

I’ve almost posted about this myself before it drives me mad. The phrase would be poor mental health or similar.

If you’re physically ill you don’t say “I’ve got health” it would actually mean the opposite.

Ha, so I’m not the only one who has noticed. I think it bothers me for the same reason as you @Carolduckingbaskin as you wouldn’t say you have health.

This bugs me too.

I volunteer for a charity and my office manager will say that a client has "mental health". You wouldn't say "he has health" to mean he is physically ill.

I started a thread about this a while ago. It drives me mad!

The phrase is 'poor mental health' or 'mental health problems' not just mental health.

It's lazy and linked to poor understanding I think. But you are not alone!

I’m so glad to read this thread as it irritates me so much! Quote from SIL last weekend ‘she couldn’t be alone as she had mental health’. Surely it should be ‘poor mental health’. It just doesn’t make sense otherwise.

I think it's because 'mental health' has become such a buzz-phrase that people have forgotten that the words have meanings. In the same way that people say things like 'I'm a bit OCD' when they are cleaning their house, without stopping to think what OCD stands for and that it doesn't mean 'wanting the house tidy'.

I was just saying this the other day! I hear it constantly these days but it doesn't make any sense.

Bugs me too. Reminds me of the ministries in 1984! I do wonder if some people are still so afraid of mental illness that they can't bring themselves to ise the correct terminology, and instead use this as a euphemism.

You’re so right. Annoying. Inaccurate. Stupid.

Haha
This has always bothered me as well. It bothers me way more than it should but it’s just so infuriating.