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Writer's pictureEmanuel Perdis

Why We Urgently need to Replace Mental Health with Emotional Health

Emotional health is a term that has been gaining more attention in recent years as an alternative to the traditional term of "mental health." There are several reasons why emotional health is a far better, more helpful, and accurate term that should be used by health professionals and laypersons alike.


Firstly, the term "mental health" has a negative connotation associated with it. People often associate the term with mental illness or disorders, which can create a stigma around seeking help. The stigma surrounding mental health can be a major barrier to people accessing the support they need. The term "emotional health," on the other hand, does not carry the same negative connotation, and can be used to describe the full range of emotions that people experience.


Secondly, the term "emotional health" is more inclusive than "mental health." Mental health often refers to mental illnesses or disorders, but emotional health encompasses a much wider range of emotions, including positive ones. Emotional health recognizes that everyone experiences a range of emotions, and that these emotions are a normal and healthy part of life. This inclusive approach can help to reduce the stigma around seeking help for emotional issues, as it acknowledges that everyone experiences emotional struggles at some point in their lives.



Thirdly, the term "emotional health" is more relatable and accessible than "mental health." Many people may not understand what mental health means, or may associate it with mental illness or disorders. Emotional health, on the other hand, is a term that everyone can relate to, as everyone experiences a range of emotions in their daily lives. By using the term emotional health, health professionals can make mental health more accessible and relatable to a wider audience.


Fourthly, the term "emotional health" promotes a proactive and positive approach to mental health. By focusing on emotional health, we can encourage people to take an active role in maintaining their mental wellbeing. Emotional health is not just about treating mental illness or disorders, but also about developing resilience and coping strategies to deal with life's challenges. By promoting emotional health, we can empower people to take control of their mental wellbeing, and to seek help when they need it.


Finally, the term "emotional health" is more aligned with a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. Emotional health recognizes that mental health is just one aspect of overall health and wellbeing, and that it is closely interconnected with physical health, social health, and spiritual health. By taking a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, we can promote overall health and wellbeing, and prevent mental health issues from arising in the first place.


In conclusion, emotional health is a far better, more helpful, and accurate term than "mental health." By using the term emotional health, we can reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, promote a more inclusive approach to mental wellbeing, make mental health more relatable and accessible, encourage a proactive and positive approach to mental health, and align mental health with a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. By using emotional health as the preferred term, health professionals and laypersons alike can promote a more positive and empowering approach to mental wellbeing.


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Emanuel Perdis is a trauma-informed Anger Management therapist who administers therapeutic counselling for individuals as well as couples. His key specialties for counselling are Anger, Relationships, Trauma and Anxiety. All therapy is delivered online, via Zoom, and enquiries can be made through https://www.emanuelperdis.com/let-s-talk or on the phone via +61 412 288 081

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