Understanding Mental Health vs Mental Illness — A Perspective on Psychosocial Disabilities

Southerton Business Times
1 day ago
4 min read

By Dr. Precious Sibiya

Monday, August 3, 2026

In our African culture, mental illness has often been viewed as a bad spiritual consequence. Some months ago, I talked about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This week we unpack mental health in relation to mental illness.

De-Stigmatizing Psychosocial Disabilities in African Culture

Our organization, National Association for Persons with Psychosocial Disabilities (NAPPD), was on the radio last week raising awareness on psychosocial conditions and our mental health. One listener responded to say, ‘Ndine hama yangu inopenga……’. That careless statement pierced my heart, but again I could not blame her for the selection of words. We were never taught anything about Disability in school, though we had persons with disabilities across the divide. We probably added insult to injury by the names we called them or how we made them feel. It’s always important to know that disability is not a choice and it can happen to anyone.

There are different types of disabilities, and it’s always important to have some basic knowledge of this. Disabilities are grouped into major categories like physical, sensory, and cognitive impairments. Common types include physical and mobility conditions, mental health and neurological conditions, sensory losses like vision or hearing impairment, and intellectual or developmental differences. Today I'm going to share insights about mental health versus mental illness, which is under the category Mental Health and Neurological.

Mental Health vs. Mental Illness: Defining the Spectrum

Mental health is your overall emotional and social well-being; mental illness is a diagnosable medical condition, and everyone has the former while only some experience the latter. So Mental Health is the continuous state of your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It changes constantly, going up and down depending on your stress levels, sleep, life events, and daily challenges. It affects how you think, feel, act, and handle normal life problems.

On the other hand, Mental Illness refers to specific, diagnosable disorders that disrupt thinking, mood, or behavior. It interferes with life by causing continuous distress, making it difficult for one to engage in regular daily activities. Common examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. According to My Mind & Me, individuals with a mental illness “engaged in recovery and treatment can still be mentally healthy.”

Daily Habits for Maintaining Good Mental Health and Managing Stress

Some of you must be thinking, is it possible to maintain good mental health? Absolutely! Years ago, I used to think it was impossible until I mastered the art of controlling my own emotions. Some situations in life would make me so angry that I would feel the anger oozing in my head, triggering a headache and high blood pressure. It was then that I realized that managing our emotions matters more than reacting as expected to any situation. Someone can deliberately cause you to be angry, but you can deliberately ignore the intention to protect your mental health. Adopt the art of managing your emotions as a first step towards good mental health.

Similarly, when you are overjoyed, do that in moderation to avoid shock. We have heard many incidents where people died because of happiness-induced shock! Maintaining good mental health requires daily habits like exercising your body, getting enough sleep, and staying connected with people. Those seemingly small, steady steps each day can help you feel calm and strong. Engage in any uplifting physical activity for 30 minutes a day, like walking or dancing, to boost your mood. Did you know that just 30 minutes of walking every day can boost your mood and improve your health?

Supporting mental health patients' charts

Another difficult challenge to good mental health is lack of adequate sleep. Unless you are enrolled in military training, try to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. Though it’s encouraged to go to bed at the same time, our demanding lifestyles may not allow it. Just make sure your body and mind rest when it’s required. A good diet is also critical for your mental health. Eat healthy meals and drink plenty of water to give your brain energy. Avoid too much sugar it’s poison already.

As I indicated above, managing stress and emotions is very critical. Always make sure you stay connected. Chat and spend time with friends or family instead of only using screens. Most of us need repentance on the use of screens. We can do this! May God help us. Learn to practice mindfulness by taking slow, deep breaths and focusing on the present moment when you feel worried.

Life will always be in constant flux with or without you, so practice the skill of taking a break. Rest during the day and step away from the news or social media when it feels too disruptive!

Life will sometimes test you and make you feel alone and lonely. Learn to seek help. Reach out to your confidante, a doctor, counselor, or local support line. Sharing your story can save you and others. Don’t wait until you break down to get help.

Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here.

Dr. Precious Sibiya, a mother, sister, daughter, and friend, is a certified Wellness Practitioner, stroke survivor, and advocate for natural healing and lifestyle. Contact her for more Wellness insights on: