Mental Health and Mental Wellness | Ashley Addiction Treatment

Mental health and mental wellness are closely related, but they are not the same. Mental health describes the state of our cognitive and emotional functioning, including our ability to handle stress, relate to others, and make decisions. Mental wellness, on the other hand, is a broader term that refers to a positive state of overall mental, emotional, and social well-being.

Understanding the difference between mental wellness and mental health can help you identify areas of growth and know when to seek support. Both are important parts of living a balanced, fulfilling life, and both can be impacted by substance use, chronic stress, trauma, and other life challenges.

What is Mental Health?

Mental health refers to how well we function emotionally, socially, and psychologically. It includes our ability to cope with life’s demands, recover from setbacks, and form relationships. When someone struggles with their mental health, they may experience conditions such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or bipolar disorder.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about one in five adults in the United States experiences a mental health disorder each year. These disorders can affect mood, thinking, and behavior, and they often impact physical health, sleep, energy levels, and performance at work or school.

Substance use can also contribute to mental health issues. Opioid misuse, alcohol dependence, and other forms of addiction may increase symptoms of depression or anxiety and make it harder to manage emotions and stress.

Mental Wellness Definition: A Broader View of Well-Being

Mental wellness is more than just the absence of mental illness. It describes a state of internal balance and emotional resilience. Someone who experiences strong mental wellness tends to feel purposeful, connected, and capable of handling daily stressors.

Signs of good mental wellness include:

Having a sense of meaning or purpose
Feeling connected to others and building strong relationships
Managing stress effectively
Practicing self-compassion and self-awareness
Feeling productive and motivated
Being aware of your strengths and values

Mental wellness can fluctuate depending on your environment, relationships, lifestyle, and overall health. Unlike a clinical diagnosis, wellness is more of a personal gauge for how you are feeling and functioning.

The Eight Dimensions of Mental Wellness

Mental wellness includes several different aspects of life. The “eight dimensions of wellness,” as defined by SAMHSA and other mental health organizations, offer a helpful framework:

Emotional – Coping effectively with stress and expressing emotions appropriately
Social – Developing supportive relationships and a sense of belonging
Physical – Caring for your body through sleep, nutrition, and exercise
Spiritual – Finding purpose and meaning in life
Intellectual – Engaging in creative and mentally stimulating activities
Environmental – Living in safe, healthy, and inspiring surroundings
Occupational – Finding personal satisfaction and enrichment from your work
Financial – Managing resources and planning for future needs

Working on any of these areas can improve your mental wellness over time.

How Mental Health and Mental Wellness Affect Each Other

While mental health and mental wellness are different, they are strongly connected. Poor mental health can disrupt wellness in every area of life. Similarly, a lack of mental wellness can make it harder to recover from mental health challenges.

For example, someone who is experiencing anxiety or depression may withdraw from social relationships or stop engaging in physical activity, which weakens both emotional and physical wellness. On the other hand, building up wellness through healthy habits, such as regular exercise and strong social support, can help protect and strengthen mental health.

Substance use disorders often impact mental health and wellness. Addiction can erode a person’s emotional stability, strain relationships, and interfere with work and sleep. Addressing both mental health and mental wellness is an important part of recovery.

10 Tips to Improve Your Mental Health and Mental Wellness

While there are distinctions between the two terms, it is notable that they are, to a large extent, interrelated. There is no denying that our mental health impacts our mental wellness.

Here are some great tips for improving mental health and wellness:

Tip	Description
Get involved in a cause	Support something you care about by volunteering or connecting with an organization that aligns with your values.
Take up a new hobby	Challenge yourself and explore interests like learning a language, reading, creating art, or outdoor activities like kayaking.
Volunteer your time	Helping others boosts mood and builds a sense of connection and purpose in your community.
Listen to music	Incorporate music into your daily life to help relax, inspire, or energize your emotional state.
Improve sleep quality	Stick to a regular sleep routine and create calming bedtime habits to support mental clarity and emotional stability.
Start a gratitude journal	Write down things you’re thankful for each day to help shift focus toward positivity and reflection.
Make new fitness goals	Physical activity supports mental wellness. Choose exercises that motivate you and match your lifestyle.
See friends in person	Deepen relationships by spending real time with others rather than relying solely on digital communication.
Reduce stress	Try mindfulness practices like meditation, yoga, or journaling to lower stress and improve emotional balance.
See a therapist	Professional support can help you better understand your mental health and develop tools for lasting wellness.

Get Support for Mental Health and Substance Use at Ashley

If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health, emotional well-being, or substance use, Ashley Addiction Treatment is here to help. We provide individualized care that supports healing across all aspects of life, including mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health.

Our programs include: