Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:

*  Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
*  Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
*  Family history of mental health problems
 
Mental health problems are common but help is available. People with mental health problems can get better and many recover completely.

Not sure if you or someone you know is living with mental health problems?  Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign of a problem:
 
• Eating or sleeping too much or too little
• Pulling away from people and usual activities
• Having low or no energy
•  Feeling numb or like nothing matter
•  Having unexplained aches and pains
•  Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
•  Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared  

Positive mental health allows people to:
• Realize their full potential
• Cope with the stresses of life
• Work productively
• Make meaningful contributions to their communities

Source: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health/index.html