mental health

noun

1

: the condition of being sound mentally and emotionally that is characterized by the absence of mental illness and by adequate adjustment especially as reflected in feeling comfortable about oneself, positive feelings about others, and the ability to meet the demands of daily life

also : the general condition of one's mental and emotional state

2

: health care dealing with the promotion and improvement of mental health and the treatment of mental illness

—often used before another noun

mental health professionals

a mental health clinic

Examples of mental health in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Friendships with other parents are invaluable to our mental health but there are times when those friends turn out to be harming our mental health more than helping. —​wendy Wisner, Parents, 28 Dec. 2025

Sprouting increases the amount of all three compounds, making bean sprouts a simple, natural way to support your mental health. —Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 27 Dec. 2025

Seek help, fight for government funding for mental health programs. —Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 27 Dec. 2025

Close family members are monitoring Andrew’s mental health. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 27 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mental health

• commonwealth
• telehealth
• bridewealth
• stealth
• wealth

Medical Definition

mental health

noun

1

: the condition of being sound mentally and emotionally that is characterized by the absence of mental illness and by adequate adjustment especially as reflected in feeling comfortable about oneself, having positive feelings about others, and being able to meet the demands of daily life

also : the general condition of one's mental and emotional state

Finding the flexibility and balance that is required for good mental health is a challenge we all face.

—Christy Turlington, Psychology Today

2

: health care dealing with the promotion and improvement of mental health and the treatment of mental illness : mental hygiene

—often used before another noun

mental health professionals

a mental health clinic