Definition

What is a mental illness?

Unfortunately, mental illness still scares people today. It is often wrongly associated with weakness, loss of control and painful but high-profile events that often get heavy media coverage.

However, for most people, mental illness is carefully hidden. For example, we may know people who suffer from phobias but not know it. Because of all the prejudices about mental illness, only one out of three people suffering from it will consult a health professional. And yet, people suffering from mental illness can be treated and often cured.

Mental illness refers to problems that affect the mind. It is a sign of psychological and often biological dysfunction. These disturbances provoke different feelings of discomfort, emotional or intellectual upset and even behavioural difficulties.