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ryan g's picture

What is mental health?

Here is my current definition of mental health.  I look forward to changing it Monday...

To echo Yona, the only thing that I can say with any certainty right now is that a mentally healthy person should be capable of behaviors that sustain life.

Following this,  I agree with the idea that it's easier to define mental health in terms of what it's not.  I believe that we all basically experience the same emotions/symptoms.  "Mentally ill" people just experience symptoms of greater frequency or magnitude.  But then you run into the problem of where do you draw the line... 

Finally, I'm wary of any definition that references societal norms.  Phrases like "able to contribute" and "productive member" leave me with an unsatisfied feeling.

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