Mental well-being is about more than the absence of mental illness, it’s about quality of life. It includes realizing your strengths, managing daily stress, building meaningful relationships, and contributing to your family and community.

Nearly 80% of people struggle with mental well-being at some point in their lives, whether or not they have a mental health condition. These struggles are common and human.

Common Challenges

Mental well-being is shaped by everyday and systemic factors, including lack of purpose, chronic stress, limited social support, unstable housing or employment, and social exclusion. These challenges often overlap and compound.

Why It Matters

Poor mental well-being is linked to higher rates of injury, chronic disease, reduced productivity, justice system involvement, shorter life expectancy, and lifetime mental illness. Mental well-being affects individuals, families, and communities.

Culture and Community

For communities that have experienced oppression, mental well-being is shaped by historical and ongoing trauma and injustice. Addressing these realities is essential for healing and long-term well-being.

Strengthening Mental Well-Being

Mental well-being can be nurtured at every stage of life. Support it by building caring relationships, managing stress through mindfulness or movement, connecting with culture, community, and nature, caring for your body through sleep, nutrition, and exercise, and getting involved in your community.

Learn more at the Minnesota Department of Health’s Mental Health Promotion page:
https://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/idcplg?IdcService=GET_DYNAMIC_CONVERSION&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&dDocName=ID_058037