Quick Guide to Mental Health Definitions

Do you feel like you lack some understanding when it comes to mental health? Mental health is crucial, and we want to help you better understand it. Here are some quick definitions:

Mental health

• Mental health is cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being. It affects how people think, feel, and behave.
• Mental health can be positively or negatively affected by things that happen in our daily lives. It can also affect our lives when we struggle with it.
• Mental health is incredibly important because not only does good mental health make us happier, but bad mental health can impact our physical health too.

Types of Disorders/Diagnoses

Diagnosed mental illnesses are very common in the United States. More than 50% of people will be diagnosed with a mental illness in their lifetime. In addition, 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year.

• Anxiety disorders: these are the most common type of mental illness. Some of these are:
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) - excessive worry that affects daily life.
  • Panic Disorders -panic disorders mean the person has regular panic attacks
  • Phobias -there are thousands of types of phobias, and they can be unique to the person who has one.
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - experience constant, stressful thoughts and a powerful urge to perform repetitive acts
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - people who have gone through or witnessed a deeply stressful or traumatic event.
• Mood disorders - impact changes in mood, generally involving either mania, which is a period of high energy and elation, or depression. 1 in 10 adults suffer from some type of mood disorder.
  • Major Depressive Disorder -this person experiences a constant low or long periods of sadness.
  • Bipolar Disorder -this person has unusual changes in their mood from extreme highs to extreme lows
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - reduced daylight during the fall, winter, and early spring months trigger this type of major depression
• Other disorders
  • disruptive disorders, eating disorders, substance use disorders, personality disorders, and psychotic disorders.

It’s important to consult a doctor if you feel you or someone you love may be struggling with a mental illness so that they may assess or diagnose you. They can also help you better understand, cope, and create a treatment plan.

Treatment Types:

Treatment is a perfectly normal part of mental health and illnesses. Deciding on treatment is dependent on the individual and can be customized however desired. Please consult your doctor for treatment.

• Psychotherapy/talking treatment -this includes counseling, therapy, and the act of talking to someone over the course of time. Therapy can aid people in understanding the root of their mental illness and to work on more healthful thought patterns that support everyday living.
• Medication -some people choose to take prescribed medications such as anti-depressants to help improve symptoms and aid them in handling day-to-day living easier. These do not cure mental illnesses but can relieve symptoms. It sometimes takes several tries to find the most helpful medication. There is NO shame in taking medications for mental health reasons.
• Self-help -many people choose to help themselves through coping mechanisms. Techniques can include deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness. People can also find help through community and support networks.

Ways to Help Your Mental Health

Even if you don’t have a mental illness, it’s still important to take care of your mental health. Self-care is a big way to keeping yourself happy. You can develop your own self-care practices by assessing what you need and how to give it to yourself.

• Self-care -involves taking steps to take care of yourself and your needs. Some ideas for self-care are:
  • Physical self-care: getting enough sleep, eating right, getting exercise
  • Social self-care: nurturing relationships, getting social time
  • Mental self-care:  practicing affirmations and self-compassion
  • Spiritual self-care: either religious or spiritual practices that help you find deeper meaning, such as prayer, meditation, or thought
  • Emotional self-care: talking to someone important about how you feel or setting aside time for reflection

Friday Mental Health Resources:

Friday Health Plans is extremely proud to offer robust mental health benefits options to our members. Be sure to take advantage of the following:

Most Friday plans offer unlimited $0 mental health counseling. Use our mental health resources page to find a therapist near you.

All Friday members can also use the Teladoc app for 24/7 $0 virtual counseling sessions if they are over 18 via phone or video.

Many Friday plans offer thousands of $0 generic prescriptions. Search here to see what’s covered in your Friday health plan. 

Be sure to double-check your coverage on your member portal. At Friday, we value your mental health, and we’re here to make the journey a little easier. Together, we can help end the stigma and ensure everyone gets the care they need.

Have any questions or concerns? Contact our Care Crew for help! We are here for you.