To think the term "mental health" has become meaningless

[Floatyboat]

This crisis has lead to an epidemic of concern about "mental health". This new "mental health" is not what people used to refer to by the term. Rather than illnesses such as depression, psychosis or anorexia people are now referring to something closer to "emotional wellbeing" or "feeling good".

The object of concern has also changed. It used to be worried about other people's mental health, particularly people we care about. Now people typically use the term whilst referring to their own "mental wellbeing".

Mental health problems have rightly come some way in being destigmatized. A byproduct of that is that the term has been co-opted by people describing their own desires and emotions as if it gets them a free pass on the responsibilities others face.

People don't tend to say I do x because it's good for my "physical health" , they're more specific, eg to lose weight, reduce chance of cancer, avoid covid19 etc. But people just seem happy to use this ill defined "mental health"in such a way.

It has also become unfashionable to specify the degree of "mental health" problem. As if some mild worry or inner tension is the same as something which destroys your life. We don't often classify viral sore throat and throat cancer together. Why do we lump mental health problems all together in the same boat?

Am I being unreasonable to ask you to think twice about using the term "mental health" and try to avoid the erasure of people with severe and debilitating problems. Being more specific can only be a good thing.

Well everyone has mental health, be it good or bad. It's a bit like saying we have an issue with 'health'. That is pointless.

It would be better to use the names given to those mental health conditions, say mental health conditions or 'we have a mental health condition crisis' for example

That’s like saying the term “health” has become meaningless because people talk about feeling slightly unwell or have unspecified aches and pains or a headache.

People are allowed to mention how they’re feeling even if it’s not a diagnose-able condition.

No I don’t agree. And I say that as someone with a history of depression and anxiety.

I agree OP the term 'mental health' has been diluted to include lots of normal life emotions like sadness, fear and worry. It distracts from the serious nature of of mental illnesses. It is similar to the fad of 'food allergies/ intolerance' when these are just mild or some self diagnosis but not actually life threatening or debilitating as those you have actual diagnoses of a food allergies. What happens in both instances is that those who need to be taken seriously are not.

I agree OP, I feel like it diminishes the experience of those people with actual mental health problems when people try to jump on the bandwagon of 'anxiety' for example. Anxiety is a recognised medical condition, which can be debilitating for the people who experience it, and for which medication is prescribed. It does not mean you felt a bit worried about something. I feel like people (millenials probably, although I am a millennial so I hate to say it!) have somehow got it into their heads that they should be wandering through their lives in blissful happiness the whole time, and whenever they're not blissfully happy, there must be something wrong with them, a 'condition' that they can attribute it to. Happiness, sadness, worry etc are all natural human emotions that we all experience. Experiencing them does not mean there is something wrong.

I agree also.
But then I can be annoyingly pedantic.

Someone might say something like, Then X happened, and it had an impact on my mental health.
Does they mean they were really annoyed/upset/pissed off for a time? Or did it actually spark a period of instability.

It is quite minimising of those with severe problems.

I'm not sure tbh. If you can use the word 'health' to talk about anything from 'being in good health' or 'looking after your health' to being in seriously bad health due to cancer etc, then I don't see why the same shouldn't be true of mental health. If talking about minor health issues doesn't diminish the seriousness of life-threatening illnesses, why should, for example, talking about 'maintaining good mental health' diminish the seriousness of anorexia or psychosis?

I agree. A couple of years ago the term 'mental health' was rarely heard. Now you hear it everywhere. Of course it's good to destigmatise these issues, but the term 'mental health' is so vague and often is used to describe normal emotions like feeling stressed or down now and then. Just because you're unhappy at times doesn't mean you've got 'mental health' issues.

I sort of agree. My sister has some serious mental health issues, she has been sectioned, on suicide watch, needed anti psychotic medication, so on and so forth. The stigma is still very much there. I find that people are very open about discussing say, mild anxiety or depression, but there is still a huge stigma about more serious issues, especially psychotic disorders, people leap to her having abused drugs (she hasnt), or being a heavy drinker (shes probably had about 5 alcoholic drinks in her life). The situation is frustrating as I think people think she is a snowflake when you explain she can’t do anything due to her mental health, but if you said “oh she has a physical health condition that means she can’t do XYZ” people would be very sympathetic.

It’s a ramble but I sort of agree that the phrase has been reappropriated by people talking about their well-being.

I do think our manner of speaking about feelings has squeezed out the grey area between feeling fine and having poor mental health. For example, if someone mentions feeling blue then it's a heartbeat before it's reframed as depression and if someone talks about being worried then it's a brief moment before the experience is assessed as anxiety. I think the destigmatisation of mental illness is very important but it's also important to be able to express feelings without having to navigate through the microscope of diagnosis.

I think you’re conflating mental health and mental health issues. I have depression and anxiety, and I’m on medications for these. Everyone has mental health, and part of that is emotional and mental well being. We definitely have a long way to go as a society to accept the ‘big’ conditions but I reckon an awareness of individual and collective mental health is a step towards that

People don't tend to say I do x because it's good for my "physical health" , they're more specific, eg to lose weight, reduce chance of cancer, avoid covid19 etc. But people just seem happy to use this ill defined "mental health"in such a way.

I disagree. People just say ‘health’ but obviously are implying their physical health - eating for health reasons, exercising for health reasons etc. I’ve never heard anyone talking about it in a more specific way, making references to cancer, diabetes, heart health etc. It’s simply implied under the word ‘health.’

It has also become unfashionable to specify the degree of "mental health" problem. As if some mild worry or inner tension is the same as something which destroys your life.

I think this is a separate issue - some people think the slightest feeling of negativity is a problem or bad for you somehow which of course isn’t true. I think this goes back to the ‘positive thinking’ fad from a few years ago.

Everyone has mental health and it’s important that they look after it just like their physical health.
Tbh I think it’s brilliant that people are talking more about mental health. If it means that if people are suffering then they’re more likely to talk about it and seek help then it can surely only be a good thing.

I sort of agree and disagree I think.

I agree because I have diagnosed depression and anxiety after finally going to the doctor after nearly crashing my car deliberately on the way to work. At the time, I remember thinking it was the best solution but managed to stop myself somehow. I don’t want people using the terms depression and anxiety for slight upsets or worries because that’s part of the reason there’s such a stigma around real, debilitating mental health issues.

I disagree because I think it’s important that we all take care of our mental health more. It shouldn’t be pushed to the side and should be considered more in what we do.

Mental health like physical health is not always particularly quantifiable and it isn’t permanent for everyone. Your mental health can suffer for a short period, then recover. Like your physical health. It can also be lifelong and significant. There are degrees of everything and it is going to be hard to tell what level is being talked about. Really I think it’s mostly relevant to health professionals to know the severity (as opposed to me knowing) as they are the people who would help with a treatment plan and support. An influencer on Instagram isn’t talking about it to obtain medical help from followers, they are apparently ‘sharing awareness’ but technically it’s not really that relevant to their audience what level it is, seen as they have no input into that persons medical care?

So people are talking about mental health in the sense of ‘keeping it healthy’ and also periods where it might not be as healthy as it once was.

I just wonder what it does really take away from people on the severe end of the scale. In terms of resources

I agree - the term emotional well-being is much more apt.

I think you’re paying lip service to the idea of taking more about mental health if you then say “oh no- I didn’t mean you should talk about your mental health- it’s not serious enough” when people do open up.

Very often when people are vague and say they have mental health problems or anxiety- they’re not opening up and giving you all the information. They’re letting you know there is a problem but maybe they’re just not ready for you to know it all. Because yes there is still stigma and maybe they don’t know which side of the line you stand on- whether you’re a doubter (like some here clearly are) or whether you’re a supportive ear. That doesn’t mean they’re not actually suffering from poor mental health. You’re not seeing everything that’s going on with them.

People saying “I have anxiety” are making those small steps that make it easier to talk about the more serious conditions too. Please don’t dismiss people just because you don’t think they are ill enough to be allowed to discuss their mental health.

I mean if we’re not supposed to talk about the mild stuff how the hell are we ever supposed to lift the stigma about the serious stuff?

I think it’s great that people are thinking and encouraging others to think about their mental health.
I’m not offended, and I have a serious mental health condition.

@Smallsteps88

I think the point the OP is making very clearly addresses your points and your argument a little obtuse. ‘Mental health issues’ refers to serious conditions which obstruct your ability to function in day to day life. This can include depression, anxiety or stress but only in its more severe forms. I’m afraid that being ‘a bit stressed and anxious’ is part and parcel of most adults lives.

The point the OP makes is that whilst removing the stigma associated with mental health is great, diluting the meaning (because everyone and their dog claims to suffer ‘MH issues’ is not, and may well lead those who actually require urgent care and intervention being overlooked.

What @WhatIsLife20 said.

I actually think its very important that we're recognising mental health as a whole. I refer to my depression and anxiety and mental health issues, they're not my mental health as a whole. But just like you can feel ill without having an inherent health concern, you can have poor mental health without having a mental health issue.

I don't know but there's still a total stigma around serious MH problems.
For example I have schizoaffective disorder, the symptoms include hallucinations & paranoia, & im on a high dose of anti psychotics but I've learnt quickly not to share that information!!

Even my mum is uncomfortable if I mention the hallucinations. Which is fine.

Ironically I'm a part time hca in a hospital & it makes me laugh when my colleagues are so cautious around patients who happen to have eg schizophrenia or bipolar or even my diagnosis yet they are unaware of my ongoing issues.

I just let them think I have a bit of depression & anxiety which is more socially acceptable now.

I think that its a good thing that people are reconiseing there need for good mental wellbeing and are more open to discuss it that in precious years. So when somebody says they have a mental health issue that can range from mild anxiety / depression to acute psycosis. In my opinion both are just as important and require treatment. I dont think the severity is something people need to specify if they dont want too

I think the point the OP is making very clearly addresses your points and your argument a little obtuse.

Funnily enough “obtuse” was the word that came into my head reading the OP.

Mental health issues’ refers to serious conditions which obstruct your ability to function in day to day life. This can include depression, anxiety or stress but only in its more severe forms. I’m afraid that being ‘a bit stressed and anxious’ is part and parcel of most adults lives.

I’m not sure why you’re telling me this. Do you think I am unaware?

(because everyone and their dog claims to suffer ‘MH issues’ is not, and may well lead those who actually require urgent care and intervention being overlooked.

This is also obtuse. I’m not sure where this need to “own” mental health issues and exclude others from saying they suffer comes from. It’s strange. Talking about mental health issues- whether mild or severe is important. Like I say- it’s very possible someone isn’t allowing you to know the extent of their mental health issues precisely because you are clearly a doubter.

Yabu, language evolves and changes over time.

(And that's coming from me - someone who had severe and debilitating battles with anxiety, panic attacks and post traumatic stress symptoms that often made me unable to leave the house and took over 7 years to overcome).