02/05/2025
Let’s talk about language for a minute.
You’ve probably heard the terms mental health, mental illness, and mental disorder used interchangeably — but they don’t mean quite the same thing. And for many of us, these words carry weight.
Mental health is something we all have. It’s our emotional, psychological, and social well-being — how we think, feel, connect, and cope. It fluctuates, just like physical health does.
Mental illness (or mental disorder) refers to a diagnosable health condition involving shifts in mood, thinking, or behavior, often affecting daily life, work, or relationships. These terms are often used interchangeably, and some people prefer one over the other.
ADHD, for example, is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder, and it can impact mental health in complex ways.
Here’s what matters:
Having a mental illness doesn’t mean you are weak. It’s not a failure. It’s a valid health condition, like a broken arm or asthma. Many mental illnesses are treatable and manageable.
If you’ve been diagnosed, that label can be validating, or it can feel heavy. And if you don’t have a diagnosis but know you’re struggling, that doesn’t make your experience less real. Labels can help us access support, but they don’t always capture the full picture of who we are.
Whether you say “I have a mental illness,” “I’m struggling with my mental health,” or “I’m figuring things out,” your experience is valid.
This month, we’re making space for all of it. With honesty. With compassion. With less shame.
