Power Your Life

If you have concerns about your mental health, it's best to talk to a medical provider or mental health professional.

Visit our Maternal Mental Health page for information on mental health during and after pregnancy.

What is mental health?

Mental health includes your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It has an effect on how you feel, think, act, and the choices you make. 

Why is mental health important?

Mental health is just as important as physical health for your overall well-being. They are all connected to each other. For example, depression can increase the risk of conditions such as heart disease, while chronic conditions such as diabetes can increase the risk of mental illness.

Mental illnesses are the most common health conditions in the U.S., and more than half of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness in their lifetime. 

Some common mental health conditions include:

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Eating disorders
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

The following are some signs that indicate you may need to pay extra attention to your mental health:

• Your productivity at work or school is going down.
• You don’t enjoy things you used to.
• Your normal sleep schedule changes.
• Your normal appetite changes.
• You don’t feel like yourself.
• You feel hopeless, helpless, useless, or worthless.
• You have physical symptoms that don’t have another cause and don’t get better with treatment, like headaches, upset stomach, and pain anywhere in your body. 
• You have thoughts of hurting yourself, death, or suicide (call 988 right away if you are in crisis).

Don’t hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional if you need it. Often, therapy, medication, or other treatments can help.

Mental health can change over time and can depend on many things. There may be times in your life when you need help and other times when you don’t. 

Some strategies you can use to improve your mental health include:

• Write in a journal. 
• Spend time outside.
• Practice mindfulness or meditation.
• Get regular exercise.
• Get enough sleep.
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Talk to trusted people around you about your feelings.