Education Information
Basics
Mental health problems are common. However, most people with mental problems can get better.
What Is Mental Health?
Learn about mental health as a piece of overall wellness and the early warning signs of mental health problems.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health
Myths and Facts
Know the facts, use your knowledge to educate others, and reach out to those who may have mental health problems.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/mental-health-myths-facts
Recovery Is Possible
Treatment and recovery are ongoing processes that happen over time. The first step is getting help.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/recovery-possible
What Is Mental Health?
Learn about mental health as a piece of overall wellness and the early warning signs of mental health problems.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health
Myths and Facts
Know the facts, use your knowledge to educate others, and reach out to those who may have mental health problems.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/mental-health-myths-facts
Recovery Is Possible
Treatment and recovery are ongoing processes that happen over time. The first step is getting help.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/recovery-possible
What To Look For
People can experience different types of mental health problems. These problems can affect your thinking, mood, and behavior.
Want to learn more about other types of mental health conditions? Visit the “Mental Health and Behavior” section on MedlinePlus.
Anxiety Disorders
People with anxiety disorders respond to certain objects or situations with fear and dread. Anxiety disorders can include obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorders, and phobias.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/anxiety-disorders
Behavioral Disorders
Behavioral disorders involve a pattern of disruptive behaviors in children that last for at least 6 months and cause problems in school, at home and in social situations. Examples of behavioral disorders include Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Conduct Disorder, and Oppositional-Defiant Disorder (ODD).
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/behavioral-disorders
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders involve extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors involving weight and food. Eating disorders can include anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/eating-disorders
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
Mental health problems and substance abuse disorders sometimes occur together.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/mental-health-substance-use-disorders
Mood Disorders
Mood disorders involve persistent feelings of sadness or periods of feeling overly happy, or fluctuating between extreme happiness and extreme sadness. Mood disorders can include depression, bipolar disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and self-harm.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/mood-disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
If you have OCD, you have repeated, upsetting thoughts called obsessions. You do the same thing over and over again to try to make the thoughts go away. Those repeated actions are called compulsions.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/obsessive-compulsive-disorder
Personality Disorders
People with personality disorders have extreme and inflexible personality traits that are distressing to the person and may cause problems in work, school, or social relationships. Personality disorders can include antisocial personality disorder and borderline personality disorder.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/personality-disorders
Psychotic Disorders
People with psychotic disorders experience a range of symptoms, including hallucinations and delusions. An example of a psychotic disorder is schizophrenia.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/psychotic-disorders
Suicidal Behavior
Suicide causes immeasurable pain, suffering, and loss to individuals, families, and communities nationwide.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/suicidal-behavior
Trauma and Stress Related Disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur after living through or seeing a traumatic event, such as war, a hurricane, rape, physical abuse or a bad accident. PTSD makes you feel stressed and afraid after the danger is over.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/post-traumatic-stress-disorder
Want to learn more about other types of mental health conditions? Visit the “Mental Health and Behavior” section on MedlinePlus.
Anxiety Disorders
People with anxiety disorders respond to certain objects or situations with fear and dread. Anxiety disorders can include obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorders, and phobias.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/anxiety-disorders
Behavioral Disorders
Behavioral disorders involve a pattern of disruptive behaviors in children that last for at least 6 months and cause problems in school, at home and in social situations. Examples of behavioral disorders include Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Conduct Disorder, and Oppositional-Defiant Disorder (ODD).
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/behavioral-disorders
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders involve extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors involving weight and food. Eating disorders can include anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/eating-disorders
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
Mental health problems and substance abuse disorders sometimes occur together.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/mental-health-substance-use-disorders
Mood Disorders
Mood disorders involve persistent feelings of sadness or periods of feeling overly happy, or fluctuating between extreme happiness and extreme sadness. Mood disorders can include depression, bipolar disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and self-harm.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/mood-disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
If you have OCD, you have repeated, upsetting thoughts called obsessions. You do the same thing over and over again to try to make the thoughts go away. Those repeated actions are called compulsions.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/obsessive-compulsive-disorder
Personality Disorders
People with personality disorders have extreme and inflexible personality traits that are distressing to the person and may cause problems in work, school, or social relationships. Personality disorders can include antisocial personality disorder and borderline personality disorder.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/personality-disorders
Psychotic Disorders
People with psychotic disorders experience a range of symptoms, including hallucinations and delusions. An example of a psychotic disorder is schizophrenia.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/psychotic-disorders
Suicidal Behavior
Suicide causes immeasurable pain, suffering, and loss to individuals, families, and communities nationwide.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/suicidal-behavior
Trauma and Stress Related Disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur after living through or seeing a traumatic event, such as war, a hurricane, rape, physical abuse or a bad accident. PTSD makes you feel stressed and afraid after the danger is over.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/post-traumatic-stress-disorder
Talk About Mental Health
For People with Mental Health Problems
If you have, or believe you may have, a mental health problem, it is helpful to talk about these issues with others. Learn more about building a strong support system and developing a recovery plan.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/people-mental-health-problems
For Young People Looking for Help
Mental health problems don't only affect adults. Children, teens and young adults can have mental health problems, too.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/young-people
For Parents and Caregivers
It can be hard to talk to your child or dependent about mental health problems. Get tips for starting the conversation.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/parents-caregivers
For Friends and Family Members
Anyone can experience mental health problems. Friends and family members can make all the difference in a person’s recovery process. Learn how to support your friends and loved ones with mental health problems.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/friends-family-members
For Educators
Educators are often the first to notice mental health problems. Find out about mental health problems, what you can do, and how to develop effective strategies to meet the mental health needs of your students.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/educators
For Faith and Community Leaders
Many people may turn to faith and community leaders when facing mental health problems or traumatic events,? before they turn to a health care professional. Learn how to support mental health in your community.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/faith-community-leaders
Conversations in Your Community
Find tools and resources to help you get involved and build awareness of mental health problems in your community.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/community-conversation
If you have, or believe you may have, a mental health problem, it is helpful to talk about these issues with others. Learn more about building a strong support system and developing a recovery plan.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/people-mental-health-problems
For Young People Looking for Help
Mental health problems don't only affect adults. Children, teens and young adults can have mental health problems, too.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/young-people
For Parents and Caregivers
It can be hard to talk to your child or dependent about mental health problems. Get tips for starting the conversation.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/parents-caregivers
For Friends and Family Members
Anyone can experience mental health problems. Friends and family members can make all the difference in a person’s recovery process. Learn how to support your friends and loved ones with mental health problems.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/friends-family-members
For Educators
Educators are often the first to notice mental health problems. Find out about mental health problems, what you can do, and how to develop effective strategies to meet the mental health needs of your students.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/educators
For Faith and Community Leaders
Many people may turn to faith and community leaders when facing mental health problems or traumatic events,? before they turn to a health care professional. Learn how to support mental health in your community.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/faith-community-leaders
Conversations in Your Community
Find tools and resources to help you get involved and build awareness of mental health problems in your community.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/community-conversation
How To Get Mental Health Help
If you or someone you know has a mental health problem, there are ways to get help. Studies show that most people with mental health problems get better and many recover completely.
Get Immediate Help
People often don’t get the mental health help they need because they don’t know where to start. Use these resources to find the help you, your friends, or family need.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help
Help for Veterans and Their Families
Current and former service members may face different health issues than the general public and may be at risk for mental health problems.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/veterans
Health Insurance and Mental Health Services
Mental health services may be available to you through your health insurance plan. Learn more about your coverage and options.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/health-insurance
Participate in a Clinical Trial
The National Institute of Mental Health supports research studies on mental health and disorders. Find out more about participating in a clinical trial.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/clinical-trial
Get Immediate Help
People often don’t get the mental health help they need because they don’t know where to start. Use these resources to find the help you, your friends, or family need.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help
Help for Veterans and Their Families
Current and former service members may face different health issues than the general public and may be at risk for mental health problems.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/veterans
Health Insurance and Mental Health Services
Mental health services may be available to you through your health insurance plan. Learn more about your coverage and options.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/health-insurance
Participate in a Clinical Trial
The National Institute of Mental Health supports research studies on mental health and disorders. Find out more about participating in a clinical trial.
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/clinical-trial