What is mental health?
It’s how well you cope with life. Everyone has it. The NHS names 5 steps that can help. And one time limit tells you when a low mood needs a GP.
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What is mental health?
It’s how you think, feel and cope. The World Health Organization (WHO) calls it a state of mental wellbeing.
That wellbeing lets you cope with the stresses of life and use your abilities. It helps you learn and work well, and give something back to your community.
Think of it like fitness. Everyone has some, and it goes up and down. WHO says mental health sits on a range that each person feels differently.
A bad week doesn’t mean you’re unwell, just as one slow run doesn’t mean you’re unfit. WHO says most people are resilient, which means they cope with hard times and recover. But hard times do raise the risk of a mental health condition.
| Where | Helps protect it | Raises the risk |
|---|---|---|
| You | Social and emotional skills. | Alcohol or drug use, and your genes. |
| Your life | Good contact with people, education and decent work. | Poverty, violence and inequality. |
| Your area | Safe neighbourhoods and strong community ties. | A poor, run-down area. |
Source: WHO
No single factor can reliably predict who will struggle. You can’t change all of these. Start with the 5 NHS steps further down.
How common are mental health problems?
About 1 in 5 adults in England had a common mental health condition in the week they were asked. These are mostly anxiety and depression.
Source: NHS England APMS 2023/4
Young adults have seen a big rise. Among 16 to 24 year olds, it went from 17.5% in 2007 to 25.8% in 2023/4.
Age changes the picture for women. Depression was 7.4% in women aged 16 to 24 and 2.5% in women aged 75 and over. Men showed no clear pattern.
Money worries count too. Among people with problem debt, 39.0% had a common condition.
More people now get help. In 2023/4, 47.7% of people with symptoms had some treatment. The help section below shows how to get some.
How can I improve my mental wellbeing?
The NHS says evidence suggests 5 steps can improve your mental health. Trying them could help you feel more positive.
5 NHS steps for your mental wellbeing
- Connect: set a fixed time to eat with family, or have lunch with a colleague.
- Be active: pick something you enjoy, like walking. You don’t need hours in a gym.
- Learn: cook something new, or try a hobby that stretches you.
- Help others: ask a friend how they are, and really listen to the answer.
- Notice the moment: pick a regular time, like a lunchtime walk, to notice what you see, hear and feel.
- Don’t use alcohol, cigarettes, gambling or drugs to lift a low mood.
Sources: NHS: 5 steps to mental wellbeing; NHS: mindfulness; NHS: low mood
Treat it like training for your mind. The NHS says to set small targets you can easily achieve, not to do everything at once.
Being active may improve your mood and help you sleep better. Aged 19 to 64? The NHS aims for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity. See the benefits of walking.
Texts alone aren’t enough. The NHS says don’t rely on technology or social media alone to build relationships. If you feel lonely even with people, see feeling lonely around people.
Studies show mindfulness can help with stress, anxiety and depression. But it’s not right for everyone, and some people feel worse. See mindfulness courses and stress management.
Is it a low mood or something more?
A low mood can make you sad, anxious, angry, tired or low on confidence. It often gets better after a few days or weeks.
That time limit is 2 weeks. If a low mood lasts 2 weeks or more, the NHS says it could be a sign of depression.
Low mood: what to do and when
- 1
A few days or weeks
Low mood often lifts. Try the 5 steps and set small targets.
- 2
2 weeks or more
Could be a sign of depression. See a GP or refer yourself for talking therapy.
- 3
Urgent help
Call 111 and choose the mental health option, or ask for an urgent GP appointment.
- 4
Life at risk
Call 999 or go to A&E if you can’t keep yourself or someone else safe.
Sources: NHS: low mood; NHS: urgent help
Watch for other signs too. These include getting no enjoyment out of life, feeling hopeless, not being able to concentrate on everyday things, or having thoughts of suicide or harming yourself. If you can’t keep yourself safe, call 999 or go to A&E.
Some physical illnesses can cause depression, and so can side effects of some medicines. Your GP can check. See blood tests for low mood.
Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without your prescriber.
Where can I get help for my mental health?
In England, you can refer yourself to NHS talking therapies without seeing a GP. You need to be 18 or over (16 or over in some areas) and registered with a GP.
You don’t need a diagnosis. Talking therapy means talking to a trained professional about your thoughts, feelings and actions.
| Type | How it works |
|---|---|
| Guided self-help | A workbook or online course, with a therapist’s help. You may be offered this first. |
| CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) | A therapist helps you change how you think and act. You practise between sessions. |
| Counselling | You talk about your feelings and life. The therapist helps you find your own answers. |
| Interpersonal therapy | You work on problems in your relationships. |
Source: NHS: talking therapies
Paying privately? Check the therapist is on a register approved by the Professional Standards Authority.
With the right treatment and support, most people with depression can make a full recovery. The NHS says it’s best not to delay asking.
When to speak to a GP
Book a GP appointment if:
- You’ve had a low mood for more than 2 weeks.
- You’re struggling to cope with a low mood, or things you’re trying yourself aren’t helping.
- You’d prefer a GP to refer you for help.
- You have, or think you might have, an eating disorder, bipolar disorder, a personality disorder, psychosis or a drug or alcohol problem. A GP can refer you to a specialist.
Need help urgently? Call 111 and choose the mental health option, or ask for an urgent GP appointment.
Call 999 or go to A&E if someone’s life is at risk, such as a serious injury or an overdose. Do the same if you don’t feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe. Don’t drive yourself there.
Need to talk? Call Samaritans on 116 123. If you’re under 19, you can also call Childline on 0800 1111.