We all have mental health which is made up of our beliefs, thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

A mental disorder is characterized by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotional regulation, or behaviour. It is usually associated with distress or impairment in important areas of functioning. There are many different types of mental disorders. Mental disorders may also be referred to as mental health conditions. The latter is a broader term covering mental disorders, psychosocial disabilities and (other) mental states associated with significant distress, impairment in functioning, or risk of self-harm. This fact sheet focuses on mental disorders as described by the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11).

It can be difficult to find the things that will help you, as different things help different people. It’s important to be open to a range of approaches and to be committed to finding the right help and to continue to be hopeful, even when some things don’t work out.

We can all suffer from mental health challenges, but developing our wellbeing, resilience, and seeking help early can help prevent challenges becoming serious.

It is often more realistic and helpful to find out what helps with the issues you face. Talking, counselling, medication, friendships, exercise, good sleep and nutrition, and meaningful occupation can all help.

Challenges or problems with your mental health can arise from psychological, biological, and social, issues, as well as life events.

Everyone feels sad sometimes. You can learn to manage your sadness. If you have been feeling persistently sad for more than two weeks or you have lost interest in most of your usual activities, you might be depressed. In this case, it is important to seek help.

Suicide is the act of intentionally taking your own life. Suicidal feelings can mean having abstract thoughts about ending your life or feeling that people would be better off without you. Or it can mean thinking about methods of suicide or making clear plans to take your own life. If you are feeling suicidal, you might be scared or confused by these feelings. You may find the feelings overwhelming. But you are not alone. Many people think about suicide at some point in their lifetime.

Abusing substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine can cause prolonged psychotic reactions, while alcohol can make depression and anxiety symptoms worse. Also: Alcohol and drugs are often used to self-medicate the symptoms of mental health problems

People often describe delusions, paranoia, and hallucinations as “breaks from reality”. The term doctors and mental health professionals use to summarize these three experiences is “psychosis”. About three out of every 100 people will experience an episode of psychosis in their lifetime.

Anxiety disorder leaves you unable to cope with daily life due to abnormal fears of life. Anxiety in moderation is a perfectly normal response – it is a healthy response preparing you for any action that may even be threatening. Anxiety disorders cause overwhelming fear and an inability to cope with any daily chore.

our doctor will try to rule out physical problems that could cause your symptoms.

hese may include, for example, a check of your thyroid function or a screening for alcohol and drugs.

A doctor or mental health professional talks to you about your symptoms, thoughts, feelings and behavior patterns. You may be asked to fill out a questionnaire to help answer these questions.

Your treatment depends on the type of mental illness you have, its severity and what works best for you. In many cases, a combination of treatments works best. If you have a mild mental illness with well-controlled symptoms, treatment from your primary care provider may be sufficient. However, often a team approach is appropriate to make sure all your psychiatric, medical and social needs are met. This is especially important for severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia.

Although psychiatric medications don't cure mental illness, they can often significantly improve symptoms. Psychiatric medications can also help make other treatments, such as psychotherapy, more effective. The best medications for you will depend on your particular situation and how your body responds to the medication. Some of the most commonly used classes of prescription psychiatric medications include:
Antidepressants, Anti-anxiety medications., Mood-stabilizing medications, Antipsychotic medications.

Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, involves talking about your condition and related issues with a mental health professional. During psychotherapy, you learn about your condition and your moods, feelings, thoughts and behavior. With the insights and knowledge you gain, you can learn coping and stress management skills.