Mental health, defined by the World Health Organization, is “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”

Mental health is something everyone has, whether it be good or bad. It’s something that affects everyone’s day-to-day life, yet many people neglect their own to worry about whatever else they may have going on. 

According to a study by mentalhealthfirstaid.org, “In the United States, only 41 percent of the people who had a mental disorder in the past year received professional health care or other services.” For those who suffer bad mental health or undiagnosed illness, untreated mental illness can cause severe behavioral, emotional and physical health problems. 

The importance of seeking help, if needed, is nothing to be ashamed of. There are always professionals willing to assist, but for some, all it may take to improve their mental health status is someone or something they love and enjoy. It’s important to be able to recognize and remove people or things in life that negatively affect you.

Having negative mental health treated can also improve your productivity, allowing you to focus on daily tasks and give you the motivation to get things done in a timely manner. Putting yourself first, and focusing on staying in a good place, can even extend your life expectancy. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.