What is mental health?

"Mental health is how we think, feel and act as we cope with life," according to Richard E. Kellogg, director of the Mental Health Division in the Department of Social and Health Services. "It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices. Like physical health, mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood."

"Everyone feels worried, anxious, sad or stressed sometimes," said Jeffery Thompson, M.D., the chief medical officer in the state's Medicaid program. "It's important to remember that good physical health and good mental health go together – we need to keep both sides in balance."

Mental illnesses are common – they affect about one in five families in the United States. Like diseases in physical health, these disorders – depression, phobias, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and many others -- cannot be willed or wished away.

"Some conditions are short-lived and people recover quickly with the help of professional counseling and medication," says Kellogg. "Other conditions require more in-depth support and time before recovery is achieved. Most mental illnesses are manageable and recovery is not only possible but likely, with treatment."

To ensure you're living a healthy mental life, it's important to develop good coping skills. Information is available from many sources, including the Internet. For an on-line tutorial on managing stress, go to http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/managingstress/htm/index.htm

If signs of stress or feelings of being overwhelmed persist, seek professional help. For help finding treatment, support groups, medication information, help paying for your medications and other mental health-related services in your community, more information can be found at www.dshs.wa.gov/mentalhealth.

If you or someone you know is in crisis now, seek help immediately. Call 1-800-273-8255 to reach a 24-hour crisis center or dial 911 for immediate assistance.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND BACKGROUND: Jim Stevenson, Communications, Health & Recovery Services Administration, 360-725-1915 (pager 360-971-4067)

The mission of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is to improve the quality of life for individuals and families in need. We will help people achieve safe, self-sufficient, healthy and secure lives.