Mental health is currently a prominent topic of discussion. Conversations about mental well-being are increasingly appearing on TV shows and social media, and high-profile figures like actors, athletes, and global pop stars are becoming more vocal about going to therapy. This marks a change from previous decades when mental health was highly stigmatized, keeping people from seeking treatment.
With the term being used so frequently, its meaning can become confusing. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, the CDC writes. It is the overall wellness of how we think, regulate our feelings, and behave, and it determines how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.
It is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.