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Mental Health Education & Resources

Mental Health and Mental Illness: What Is the Difference?

Mental Health

Mental health refers to a person's overall psychological and emotional well-being. It encompasses various aspects of life, including how individuals think, feel and behave. Good mental health implies that a person can cope with daily stressors, maintain fulfilling relationships and have a positive outlook on life. It involves factors such as emotional resilience, self-esteem and the ability to adapt to challenges. Mental health is a continuum, ranging from optimal well-being to experiencing mild distress or struggling with certain issues.

Mental Illness

Mental illness, on the other hand, refers to specific conditions that affect a person's mental health and disrupt their thoughts, feelings, behavior or overall functioning. Mental illnesses are diagnosable medical conditions that can cause significant distress, impair daily functioning and impact an individual's ability to lead a fulfilling life. Examples of mental illnesses include depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and others. Mental illnesses can vary in severity, duration and the specific symptoms they produce.

It's important to note that having a mental illness does not necessarily mean a person has poor mental health, and individuals can experience good mental health despite living with a mental illness. Seeking support, treatment and practicing self-care are essential for maintaining and improving both mental health and managing mental illness.

Mental Health Training Requirements and Resources

All district staff must complete mental health training by Sept. 15 of each school year.

Mental Health Education Links and Resources

If you're in crisis, get immediate help: Call the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

  • Long Island Crisis Center: Long Island Crisis Center provides 24/7, free, high-quality, confidential and nonjudgmental programs and services to support and empower Long Islanders at critical times in their lives.
  • How Right Now (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): Resources for coping with negative emotions and stress, talking to loved ones and finding inspiration.
  • Youth Engaged 4 Change: Opportunities for youth to make a difference in their lives and in the world around them.
  • Supporting Emotional Well-Being in Children and Youth (National Academies of Medicine): Tools for children, teens and parents to learn how to cope with challenges.
  • Mental Health Resource Center (JED Foundation): Information about common emotional health issues and how to overcome challenges.
  • Youth Well-Being Initiatives (National Council for Mental Wellbeing): Collection of initiatives to improve mental well-being in youth and young adults.
  • Kids, Teens and Young Adults (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Resources for young people to get mental health support.
  • One Mind PsyberGuide: A guide to navigating mental health apps and digital technologies.
  • FindTreatment.gov (SAMHSA): Information on substance use and mental health treatment.
  • The Trevor Project: Suicide prevention and crisis intervention resources for LGBTQ+ young people.
  • AAKOMA Mental Health Resources (The AAKOMA Project): Resources to support the mental health of youth of color and their caregivers.
  • Mental Health for Immigrants (Informed Immigrant): Tips for managing the mental health of yourself and others.