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

Rouse is a former police officer and has done extensive research on law enforcement mental health issues. —Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024

Other than hormones, is there a history of mental health issues? —Meghan Leahy, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024

All such work, though, will need to be conducted even as a major source of mental health care funding is in flux due to the passage of Prop. 1. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024

The festival is an annual outreach event for The Pete Foundation, a local nonprofit dedicated to destigmatizing mental health and expanding access to mental health crisis intervention. —Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 9 Apr. 2024

Advertisement California requires such decisions about mental health care to be based on criteria developed by professional groups, but the union said there was no evidence that was happening. —Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024

The unit is composed of mental health professionals who are expert at de-escalation tactics. —Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024

The memo said during this meeting, the six players said that Volz had made racist and homophobic remarks during team activities, ignored or belittled players' mental health and created an environment of fear and intimidation within the team. —The Enquirer, 7 Apr. 2024

So what are her tips for eating for better mental health? —Hannah Coates, Vogue, 6 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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