Differentiating Mental Health, Illness, and Performance

Defining the concepts of mental health, mental illness, and mental performance.

Reviewed by Margaret Foley

Key points

• Mental health, illness, and performance are distinct concepts that impact the way we think, feel, and behave.
• The three concepts may be correlated with each other but are not always.
• Understanding and improving mental health, illness, and performance can help us live our most authentic lives.

Mental health, mental illness, and mental performance are distinct concepts that impact the way we think, feel, and behave. They may be correlated to each other, but not always. Understanding and improving mental health, mental illness, and mental performance can help us live our most healthy and authentic lives. This post will define the concepts of mental health, illness, and performance, describe how they are linked, and discuss how to improve each through small changes in the way we think, feel, and act.

Mental Health

Mental health is an overall state of emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It involves the ability to cope with life changes and stressors, work effectively, connect meaningfully in relationships, and contribute to one’s community. Mental health affects how we think, feel, and behave in our everyday lives. It can also determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Indicators of mental health include resilience, cognitive flexibility, optimism, belongingness, confidence, and stable relationships. Mental health can be fostered through small changes in the way we think, feel, and act:

• Thinking: Think about the entire situation before coming to conclusions. Practice gratitude and positive self-talk. Be encouraging of yourself.
• Feeling: Listen to what your feelings are trying to tell you. If you feel tired, sleep. If you feel sad, take a break. If you feel lonely, talk to someone.
• Doing: Surround yourself with positive people that make you better. Contribute meaningfully to your relationships and community.

Mental Illness

Mental illness, in contrast, is a health condition that adversely impacts our mental health. It causes disruptions in the way we think, feel, and behave in our everyday lives. Indicators of mental illness include feeling helpless or hopeless, social withdrawal, difficulties engaging in daily tasks, changes in mood, and even thinking of harming oneself or others. Examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders. Similarly to mental health, mental illness can be managed through the way we think, feel, and behave:

• Thinking: Recognize and respond to confused thinking and reduced ability to concentrate. Acknowledge that mental illness may make it difficult to think clearly.
• Feeling: Understand that strong feelings of fear, worry, and guilt may be a function of mental illness. Your feelings are valid but may stem from irrational thoughts.
• Doing: Seek help from people and professionals you can trust. Stay socially connected. Avoid coping with negative emotions in maladaptive and impulsive ways.

Mental Performance

Mental performance is commonly defined as mental skills, attitudes, perspectives, strategies, and processes that lead to optimal performance, well-being, and personal growth. The Journal of Applied Sport Psychology identifies mental performance competencies that fall under three categories—fundamental, self-regulation, and interpersonal—that apply not only to athletes and performers but anyone looking to improve their mental strength and performance in life. Developing mental performance involves investing in the way we think, feel, and do:

• Thinking: Think realistically by noticing irrational thoughts and giving them a more realistic spin. Speak to yourself in a kind and compassionate way.
• Feeling: Understand and acknowledge how you are feeling. Do not deny or avoid your emotions. Accept even unpleasant emotions.
• Doing: Take constructive actions, even when you are worn out or unmotivated. Behave in a way that is good for you.

How Mental Health, Mental Illness, and Mental Performance are Linked

The Association for Applied Sport Psychology utilizes an illness-to-wellness continuum to describe the relationship between mental health and mental performance. The model illustrates how both mental health and mental performance impact one another and are also influenced by mental wellness and illness. Of note, mental performance may or may not be correlated with mental wellness or illness. An individual may be struggling in life but doing well in their performance and could benefit from working on their mental health. In contrast, an individual may be doing well in their personal life but struggling with their performance and could benefit from working on their mental performance.

In conclusion, if you find yourself struggling in life or performance, take a minute to ask yourself whether this struggle is related to mental health, mental illness, or mental performance. This question can help guide you toward appropriate changes in the way you think, feel, or behave. Importantly, recognize that there is no shame in seeking professional assistance to improve your mental health, mental illness, or mental performance.

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