Canadian Mental Health Association, Simcoe County

What is Mental Health?

 It used to be that a person was to be considered to be in good mental health simply if they showed no signs or symptoms of mental illness. But in recent years there has been a shift to a more holistic view of mental health.  

 According to the World Health Organization, “mental health is a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his own community.”  The Canadian Mental Health Association describes mental health as striking a balance in all aspects of your life: social, physical, spiritual, economic and mental. Reaching a balance is a learning process. At times, you may tip the balance too much in one direction and have to find your footing again.