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Mental Health Basic
Imagine you’re working with a group of young people—some are outgoing and confident, others are quiet and seem a bit distant. You know they’re all navigating the highs and lows of growing up: school pressure, friendships, family struggles, social media, and everything in between. Now imagine giving them something truly powerful—not a quick fix, not therapy—but the knowledge and tools to understand and take care of their own mental well-being. That’s what mental health literacy is all about.
Mental health literacy isn’t just about knowing the names of mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. It goes much deeper. It’s about helping young people recognize what mental health actually is, how to protect it, and when something might be off—not just in themselves, but in their friends too. It’s about equipping them with the confidence to ask for help, the words to describe how they feel, and the empathy to support others.
From an academic perspective, mental health literacy is often described as having a few key parts. First, it’s knowing how to keep your mind healthy—like how getting good sleep, eating well, moving your body, and staying connected to others can actually protect your mental health. Then, it’s also being able to recognize when something feels off, like feeling constantly low or anxious, and understanding that these are valid, common experiences—not something to be ashamed of.
Another important part is learning where to go for help—whether it’s a school counselor, a youth worker, a trusted adult, or even just a friend. And finally, it’s about breaking the silence. One of the biggest barriers to young people getting help is stigma—the fear of being judged or misunderstood. Mental health literacy helps break that down. It gives young people the language to talk about mental health in an open, supportive, and stigma-free way.
In youth work, we don’t always need to be experts or therapists. But we do need to create safe spaces, ask the right questions, and offer guidance when needed. When we include mental health literacy in our programs—whether it’s through workshops, games, creative expression, or simple check-ins—we’re giving young people life skills they’ll carry into adulthood.
So whether you’re running a sports club, organizing a youth exchange, or just hanging out in the youth center, think of mental health literacy as planting seeds: seeds of understanding, self-awareness, and resilience. And the best part? These seeds grow—into stronger, healthier, more compassionate young people who know how to take care of themselves and each other.
Mental health vs mental illness
What is mental health?
Mental health is the foundation of how we think, feel, and connect with the world around us. It shapes our ability to handle stress, build relationships and make decisions. Just like physical health, it needs care and attention at every stage of life, from childhood to adulthood.
But mental health isn’t just personal, it affects our communities. When we prioritize well-being, we create stronger, more connected societies where people can thrive. It’s not a luxury or an afterthought, it’s a fundamental part of a healthy, fulfilling life.
What is mental illness?
Mental illness, or a mental disorder, happens when there’s a serious disruption in thoughts, emotions, or behaviors. These conditions aren’t just about having a “bad day”, they can impact daily life, relationships and overall well-being. That’s why professional support is often necessary for diagnosis and treatment.
Talking about mental health shouldn’t be uncomfortable or taboo. The more we open up these conversations, the easier it becomes for people to seek the help they need. Mental health matters, and everyone deserves to feel supported on their journey.
Language approprite approach
How we communicate plays a vital role in shaping perceptions, attitudes and understandings. Through our communication styles and choice of language, we can either uplift and empower — or perpetuate stigmas and misconceptions. As youth workers, it is crucial to understand the preferred and problematic ways of communicating mental health, and be aware of proper definitions of elements of mental health and mental health literacy. For these purposes, we have created a list of terms that you will often see within the content of this platform, that can help you to adequately address mental health literacy, as a part of youth work practice.
Use stigma-free language
Stay Informed
Be mindful of your impact
Refer to reliable resources
Glossary
This glossary provides clear and accurate definitions of key mental health terms to support youth workers in using appropriate, stigma-free language. It serves as a guide to enhance mental health literacy and ensure effective communication in youth work.
Mental health literacy
Mental health literacy – includes the ability to recognize specific disorders; knowing how to seek mental health information; knowledge of risk factors and causes, of self-treatments, and of professional help available; and attitudes that promote recognition and appropriate help-seeking”
Mental health
Mental health – consists of emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.
Signs
Signs – noticeable changes in a person’s thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that may indicate they are struggling with their mental health and could benefit from support or professional help.
Symptoms
Symptoms – internal experiences reported by an individual—such as persistent sadness, anxiety, or confusion—that reflect potential disruptions in their emotional or psychological well-being.
Emotions
Emotions – conscious mental reactions (such as anger or fear) subjectively experienced as strong feelings usually directed toward a specific object and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes in the body.
Emotional well-being
Emotional well-being – an overall positive state of one’s emotions, life satisfaction, sense of meaning and purpose, and ability to pursue self-defined goals.
Psychological well-being
Psychological well-being – an individual’s overall mental functioning, including self-acceptance, personal growth, purpose in life, autonomy, and the ability to manage thoughts and behaviors in ways that contribute to life satisfaction
Sociological well-being
Sociological well-being – quality of an individual’s relationships and interactions within their community and society. It includes a sense of belonging, social inclusion, positive interpersonal relationships, and the ability to contribute to and receive support from social networks.
Stigma around mental health
Stigma around mental health – negative attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes people may hold towards those who experience mental health conditions.
Mental distress
Mental distress – common and natural response to life stressors, such as, exam pressure, relationship conflicts, or financial struggles. It can cause temporary emotional or psychological discomfort (sadness, worry, frustration), but usually resolves with time or support.
Mental problem
Mental problem – arises when mental distress becomes more intense or persistent, starting to interfere with a person’s thoughts, emotions, or behaviors, and may affect daily functioning. While it may not meet diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder, it can increase the risk of developing one if unaddressed.
Mental disorder
Mental disorder – clinically diagnosable condition that significantly disrupts a person’s cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning. It typically meets specific diagnostic criteria and requires professional assessment and intervention.
Recognition
Recognition – recognizing when someone, including oneself, is experiencing persistent emotional, psychological, or behavioral difficulties that may require attention or professional support.
Prevention
Prevention – proactive measures taken to reduce the risk of developing mental health issues or to mitigate the impact of mental distress before it evolves into a more serious condition.
Management
Management – ongoing process of addressing and alleviating the symptoms of mental health issues through various strategies, interventions, and supports.
Stereotype
Stereotype – a set idea that people have about what someone or something is like, especially an idea that is wrong.
Resilience
Resilience – process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis – the process of determining the nature of a disease or disorder and distinguishing it from other possible conditions.
The biggest problem in language-appropriate approaches towards mental health literacy presents the fact that terminology related to certain, often severe conditions is misused and can lead to higher stigma or wrongful labeling. We have prepared a list of examples that can help you distinguish the basics of MHL terminology.
Mental health
What it is: a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how individuals think, feel, and act, and influences how they handle stress, relate to others, and make decisions.
What is not: Mental health is not the absence of mental illness. It is not just the ability to cope with everyday stress, nor is it limited to feeling “happy” all the time.
Why it’s often misused: People may confuse mental health with mental illness, using it to describe negative feelings or conditions without recognizing that mental health also includes well-being and balance.
Example (correct vs incorrect)
Correct: “Taking care of my mental health means recognizing when I’m feeling stressed, talking to someone I trust about it, and using healthy coping strategies”
Incorrect: “I didn’t get enough sleep last night, and now I’m feeling off, so I think my mental health is bad today.”
Depression
What it is: a serious mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed.
What is not: just feeling sad or down from time to time, it is not simply a response to difficult situations like a breakup, losing a job, or experiencing stress.
Why it’s often misused: “depression” is often misused in casual conversation, where people may say they’re “feeling depressed” when they are simply having a bad day or are temporarily sad.
Example (correct vs incorrect)
Correct: “I’ve been feeling depressed for several weeks now. I’m struggling to get out of bed, have lost interest in activities I usually enjoy, and have trouble concentrating at work.”
Incorrect: “I feel so depressed because I broke up with my boyfriend/girlfriend.”
Anxiety
What it is: a condition characterized by excessive worry, fear, or nervousness about everyday situations. It can manifest physically and emotionally.
What is not: simply feeling nervous or worried before a big event, such as a job interview or public speaking.
Why it’s often misused: “I’m so anxious” about a minor event, like a minor inconvenience, is not the same as experiencing an anxiety disorder that disrupts daily life.
Example (correct vs incorrect)
Correct: “I have been feeling anxious for several months now, even when there’s no clear reason for it. I often feel restless, have trouble sleeping, and worry excessively about situations that don’t seem to pose a threat.”
Incorrect: “I’m feeling anxious because I just had an argument with my partner, and now I don’t know what to do.”
Trauma
What it is: emotional, psychological, or physical response to an event or series of events that deeply disturb or harm an individual.
What is not: a bad experience or a difficult time, it is not the same as experiencing temporary stress or disappointment.
Why it’s often misused: “trauma” is frequently misused to describe everyday stressful situations or challenging experiences that are temporary in nature.
Example (correct vs incorrect)
Correct: “I was traumatized after surviving a car accident. I keep reliving the moment of impact, and now I get uncomfortable every time I’m in a car.”
Incorrect: “I’m traumatized by such a bad haircut.”
Burnout
What it is: state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, typically resulting from overworking or feeling overwhelmed.
What is not: feeling tired after a busy day or experiencing occasional stress.
Why it’s often misused: people use “burnout” to describe moments of temporary exhaustion or when they feel overwhelmed but haven’t yet reached a state of chronic emotional depletion.
Example (correct vs incorrect)
Correct: “I’ve been working 60-hour weeks for months, and now I feel emotionally drained and because of that I can’t seem to find joy in my work anymore.”
Incorrect: “I’m burned out from studying for my final exams. I just need a weekend to recharge.”
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
What it is: mental health condition characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or rituals (compulsions) that an individual feels driven to perform.
What is not: being “particular” or “neat” about how things are arranged or being “perfectionistic” in a casual way.
Why it’s often misused: the term is often misused by reducing it to a quirky preference rather than recognizing it as a serious, often disabling disorder.
Example (correct vs incorrect)
Correct: “I constantly have thoughts that something terrible is going to happen, like a fire breaking out in my house. Because of it, I feel like I have to check the stove repeatedly and thoughts like this take up hours of my day and are exhausting.”
Incorrect: “I don’t like things out of place, so I make sure my books are lined up perfectly on my shelf. I think that’s just me being OCD.”
Bipolar disorder
What it is: mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings that include extreme emotional highs and lows.
What is not: It is not the same as feeling “up and down” due to everyday life stressors.
Why it’s often misused: People often misuse the term “bipolar” to describe normal mood fluctuations, like feeling “moody” or “emotional.” The term is also used to describe people who occasionally have rapid shifts in their emotions or behavior, without the intensity and duration seen in true bipolar disorder.
Example (correct vs incorrect)
Correct: I experience periods of feeling incredibly energized, reckless, and overly confident, where I can’t stop talking or doing things and sometimes I don’t sleep for days. Then, I go through deep, depressive episodes where I can’t get out of bed, feel hopeless, and lose interest in things I usually enjoy.
Incorrect: “I had a huge argument with my friend yesterday, and now I am feeling really down and upset, but earlier today I was super energetic and talking a lot, so I think I’m probably bipolar.”
Dissociation
What it is: psychological experience where a person feels disconnected from their thoughts, feelings, memories, or sense of identity
What is not: it is not simply “zoning out” or daydreaming.
Why it’s often misused: People may casually use it to explain moments of detachment, even though true dissociation involves significant, prolonged disconnection from reality and can cause distress or impairment.
Example (correct vs incorrect)
Correct: “I feel like I’m not really in my body, like I’m watching myself from the outside. I also sometimes lose chunks of time and can’t remember events or conversations.”
Incorrect: “I was so tired during the meeting today, I just dissociated and stopped paying attention. I couldn’t focus on what was going on around me and started thinking about something else, it’s probably a sign of a dissociation.”
Melancholia
What it is: an extreme depression characterized by tearful sadness and irrational fears.
What is not: feeling “down” or experiencing brief sadness, it is not the same as everyday feelings of sadness or disappointment.
Why it’s often misused: It is sometimes used interchangeably with “feeling down” or “feeling blue,” which diminishes the seriousness and clinical nature of the condition. Modern psychology now uses terms like major depressive disorder to describe similar symptoms.
Example (correct vs incorrect)
Correct: “I’ve been feeling deep sadness and hopelessness for weeks now. Nothing excites me anymore, I’ve lost interest in things I used to love, and I can’t seem to concentrate, I think I might be experiencing melancholia.”
Incorrect: “I have been feeling melancholic after failing my exam last week. It’s just the worst feeling, like I can’t stop thinking about it.”
Mania
What it is: mental health condition characterized by an elevated, expansive, or unusually irritable mood, often accompanied by symptoms such as increased energy, rapid speech, impulsive behavior, grandiosity, and a decreased need for sleep.
What is not: having a high-energy or “good” day and being overly excited or feeling more energinsed and being in a better mood than usual.
Why it’s often misused: People sometimes use “mania” to exaggerate normal high-energy states, without recognizing the intensity, duration, and negative consequences.
Example (correct vs incorrect)
Correct: “I’ve been feeling on top of the world lately, I’m hardly sleeping, and I’m accomplishing more than ever, but I’m also making impulsive decisions, like spending money I don’t have.”
Incorrect: “I felt manic last weekend after my team won the championship, I couldn’t stop talking and was super excited all day.”
Schizophrenia
What it is: mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may seem as though they have lost touch with reality, which can be distressing for them and for their family and friends
What is not: someone having a split personality or being violent, It is not about “mood swings” or “acting crazy.”
Why it’s often misused: “schizophrenia” is often misused in everyday language to describe people who exhibit erratic behavior or unusual thoughts, especially in media portrayals or casual conversation.
Example (correct vs incorrect)
Correct: “I’ve been hearing voices that aren’t there, and I sometimes think people are plotting against me.”
Incorrect: “I felt like my mind was all over the place yesterday, so I must be schizophrenic.”
Practice mindful language in youth work
Finally, it is important to not only know these terms, but also use them very carefully. Stigma surrounding mental health can contribute to worsening symptoms and even prevent people from seeking the care they need. And how we communicate about mental health illustrates how far we’ve come and how far we have left to go. This is why we have compiled a list of examples of preferred versus problematic language, that can help you practice mindful language in youth work. We encourage you to not only use this inclusive approach, but also promote it among the youth you work with, as they should incorporate it in daily life. To access the handout, click on the following document:
MHL pyramid
When we do not use words that appropriately describe how we are feeling we run the risk of making light of major concerns. We all have mental health, and part of improving mental health literacy is making sure we, as youth workers, use appropriate words to describe components of mental health and mental illness. In this regard, we have identified the Mental Health Pyramid, which simply describes different levels of MH.
Note: This pyramid is not created within the MHL project, but it is recognized as an example of good practice, and was created by Dr. Stan Kutcher and his team.
To develop it further, we will explain to you what these levels represent.
- The first layer, representing the bottom of the pyramid are people who do not have mental distress, mental problem or mental disorder. This is also the group within the pyramid that is the most numerous. These people are usually the ones who can experience mental distress (explained in the following text), but this happens occasionally and it is not a permanent, or often-repeating state.
- The second largest group of people represent people who experience mental distress. This is the completely normal state, which occurs due to the everyday’s stressors and refers to temporary emotional or psychological discomfort that is natural.
- Mental health problem refers to a broader, more general term that refers to when a person’s thinking, emotions, or behavior are negatively affected over a period of time — enough to impact their functioning, wellbeing, or relationships, but not always reaching the level of a diagnosed disorder.
- Mental disorder is a clinically diagnosable condition that significantly affects a person’s thinking, emotions, behavior, or ability to function in daily life. It’s defined using standardized criteria (like the DSM-5 or ICD-11) by medical or mental health professionals. Unlike mental distress and mental health problems it is a persistent state, with recognizable symptoms and needing professional treatment.
With a purpose of structuring the MHL educational program, we will use the conceptual framework that focuses on mental health state’s recognition, prevention and management. Under recognition, we emphasize a) recognition of different MH conditions and states and b) attitudes which facilitate recognition and help seeking.
