Learning English mental health vocabulary can help you understand important conversations, books, and news on the topic of emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
If you want to take a First Aid for Mental Health course, or simply want to know more useful English mental health vocabulary, this article will help by explaining key words and phrases related to mental health simply and clearly. It’s not only useful for understanding others but also for expressing yourself. By learning these terms, you can discuss mental health with English speakers in a thoughtful and respectful way.
Common English Mental Health Terms
Here are some important English words and phrases you might hear when discussing mental health:
Reach out
To contact someone for help or support.
Example: “Reach out to our Student Experience team if you need to speak to someone.”
Support group
A group of people who meet to share experiences and offer help to each other.
Example: “Joining a support group helped me feel less alone.”
Stress management
Techniques to help reduce or control stress.
Example: “Exercise and deep breathing are good for stress management.”
Therapy
Professional treatment to help someone improve their mental health.
Example: “Therapy is a really helpful way to talk about your feelings.”
Self-care
Activities and practices that help maintain your mental and physical health.
Example: “Taking a walk every day is part of my self-care routine.”
Stress
Mental or emotional strain caused by difficult situations.
Example: “I’m under a lot of stress at the moment”.
Well-being
A state of feeling healthy and happy.
Example: “Going to the beach gives me a great sense of well-being.”
Most common mental health conditions
Here are the top 10 most common mental health conditions, explained simply for English language learners. Knowing these terms can help you understand conversations about mental health and talk about your own feelings or experiences. If you or someone you know is dealing with these conditions, remember that help is available.
Anxiety Disorders
A group of conditions where people feel extreme worry or fear. These include Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Social Anxiety. These might result in feeling nervous all the time, even when there is no real danger.
Depression
Feeling tired, hopeless, or not wanting to get out of bed. Depression is a long-lasting feeling of sadness or a lack of interest in things you used to enjoy.
Bipolar Disorder
A condition where people have extreme mood swings, from very happy (mania) to very sad (depression). People with Bipolar Disorder might feel full of energy one day and then very low the next.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
A condition that can happen after experiencing or seeing a very scary or dangerous event. This might include flashbacks or nightmares about the event.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
A condition where people have unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and feel the need to do certain actions repeatedly (compulsions). An example of this might be someone washing their hands over and over because of a fear of germs.
Eating Disorders
Conditions where people have unhealthy thoughts about food and their body. Common types include Anorexia Nervosa (eating too little because of fear of gaining weight) and Bulimia Nervosa (eating a lot and then trying to “get rid of it” by vomiting or exercising too much).
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
A condition where people find it hard to focus, sit still, or control their actions. People with ADHD tend to feel easily distracted and forget things often.
Schizophrenia
A serious condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, and sees the world. This may include hearing voices or seeing things that are not real.
Substance Use Disorders
A condition where people cannot control their use of alcohol or drugs, even when it causes problems, for example drinking every day even though it harms health or relationships.
Personality Disorders
Long-term patterns of unhealthy thinking or behaviour that affect relationships and daily life. This may cause trouble with trusting others or reacting in extreme ways to situations.
Talking About Feelings
Being able to describe your emotions is important. Here are some words to express feelings:
Overwhelmed
Feeling like you have too much to handle.
Example: “I feel overwhelmed with work.”
Lonely
Feeling sad because you are alone.
Example: “After moving to a new city, I felt lonely.”
Hopeful
Feeling positive about the future.
Example: “I feel hopeful that things will get better.”
Practicing Mental Health Vocabulary
To learn these words, try these tips:
- Write sentences using the new words.
- Watch videos or read articles about mental health.
- Talk to someone about this topic in English.
Mental Health First Aid courses in the UK
Do you or someone you work with need to gain a qualification in Mental Health First Aid? Throughout this intensive two-day training session, participants will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to:
- Create a first aid action plan for mental health in the workplace
- Recognise and manage symptoms of common mental health conditions
- Encourage conversation, listening and support at work
We also offer a Supervising First Aid for Mental Health Level 3 course for people who want to provide support to their teams.
Remember: It’s okay to talk about your feelings and seek help when needed. The more you practice these words, the easier it will be to use them in conversations. If you are studying with us at BSC Education and are struggling, please speak to one of our team who will be very happy to help.
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