Mental illness, mental health, and mental well-being

npj Mental Health Research 2026 Open access

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Authors: Tyler J. VanderWeele, Byron R. Johnson, Matt Bradshaw, David Goodman, Laura D. Kubzansky, Tim Lomas, Alexander Moreira-Almeida, Chukwuemeka N. Okafor, Suzanne T Ouyang, Vikram Patel
DOI: 10.1038/s44184-026-00193-7
Cited by: 5
References: 76

Abstract

Mental health is sometimes understood as merely the absence of mental illness and sometimes more expansively as inclusive of a broader and more complete mental well-being. We present conceptual, empirical, and causal evidence for a distinction between the absence of mental illness and positive mental well-being. We discuss the implications for assessment, national tracking, research, policy, and mental healthcare. We argue for a greater clinical, policy, and public health attentiveness to positive mental well-being, to supplement work already being done on the treatment and prevention of mental illness.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction Mental Health Treatment and Access Mental Health and Patient Involvement

Publication details

Journal / source
npj Mental Health Research
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
5
Issue
1
Pages
11–11
Publication date
14 February 2026
Language
EN