Mental health covers more than simply diagnosable conditions such as depression or anxiety; there are actually four types of mental health to consider, each with its own unique set of characteristics. In this article, we’ll go over the four types of mental health that you should be familiar with so you can properly take care of your own needs and promote the overall well-being of those around you.

1) Physical

Mental health is as important as physical health, yet many people neglect it. There are four types of mental health you need to know about. Mental illness affects one in five adults in the United States each year, and one in 25 children. Anxiety disorders affect 18% of adults each year and are the most common form of mental illness in the United States. Depression affects 9% of American adults annually and is the leading cause of disability worldwide.

2) Emotional

Emotional health is the most important of all four types. Emotional health can be characterized as your ability to control your emotions and how you react to stressful situations. A person with good emotional health is able to control anger, sadness, fear, and anxiety.

3) Cognitive

Cognitive mental health is all about the way you think. It's how you perceive, interpret and process information that comes your way. Cognitive mental health can be broken down into four categories: attention, working memory, intelligence, and executive functioning. Inattention refers to having a hard time paying attention and concentrating on tasks. Working memory is the ability to hold information in your mind for a period of time. Intelligence is your intellectual capacity for problem-solving and reasoning.

4) Spiritual

Spiritual health is just as important as the other three types of mental health. When you are spiritually healthy, you are grounded in your own beliefs and values and know how to get back on track when life throws you a curveball. Here's how to keep your spirit strong. 

Spend time in silence every day. Meditation, prayer, or reflection can help put things in perspective and give you clarity about what steps you need to take next.