Mental Health vs. Mental Wellness: 101

What is the difference for mental health vs. mental wellness when raising boys?

Teen Boys Struggle With Complex Mental Health

Mental health and mental wellness are often used interchangeably. For BoyWellness, they will NOT be interchangeable due to the importance of mental health. For BoyWellness, mental health is a medical condition, and mental wellness is focusing on one's overall peace of mind.

But wait, aren't those the same?

NO!

Mental health is overseen by a medical professional and is covered by your insurance plan.

Mental Wellness is taking a walk, trying to drink water and dancing it out to Taylor Swift.

Both are important, but only one can be life-threatening!

BoyWellness will distinguish the difference between the two because blending them can diminish the impacts and critical needs of mental health, the role of a medical provider, the effect of the condition on a child, lifesaving medications, the commitment to manage chronic mental illness, and the true challenge that impacts many boys.

Mental wellness is critical, and if not managed, can lead to a mental health crisis. But for mental wellness, prescription medication and doctors such as psychiatrists and psychologists would not be utilized in treatment for the boy.

Mental Health Doctors are Experts in their Field

Blending the two concepts can lead to advice for mental health that is like telling a person with skin cancer to wear sunscreen when they need advanced rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. The challenges of mental health are horrifically complex and should be under the guidance of a medical professional.

When "we" as a culture have an opinion on mental health, we are creating barriers to care for those in need.

BoyWellness will speak of mental health. It will be done using data and evidence-based practice with practical experience from a mom who has navigated the system for 10 years.

BoyWellness will speak of mental wellness but will also differentiate and include recommended signs and steps to take if you are concerned about your child. When it comes to wellness, BoyWellness will utilize peer-reviewed and medically supported information, and always recommend that you consult with your doctor and/or medical team.

BoyWellness hopes to highlight the importance of building awareness of boys mental health and encourage moms to always ASK their son if they are concerned.

Why is this critical to the foundation of BoyWellness?

Our founder is a mom who has navigated the pediatric mental health care landscape for over seven years. Having a son whose life depends on medical care for his treatment, her first-hand experience guides this commitment to understanding the difference between mental health vs. mental wellness. This experience has shaped who she is today and led to being a suicide educator in high schools through the University of Washington, serving on mental health advisory boards for Seattle Children's Hospital, and advocating for mental health resources at the local, state, and federal level.