# MHApps Take Control – What is Mental Ill Health – Description of Mental Health Recovery and Stigma

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- What is Mental lll Health? Many people are frightened of the idea of mental ill health. The various diagnostic titles such as psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression are seen as life long labels, which mark the person as different from the rest of society. The stigma associated with significant mental ill health is, for some people, almost as difficult to manage as the experience of being unwell.
  Much has been done to reduce the impact of stigma by challenging inaccurate representations in the media and by humanising the real facts about mental ill health. It may never be possible to totally eliminate inaccurate and hurtful comments and headlines. It is, however, already evident that as people with selfexperience and their families speak up and out about their experiences, people listen and many relate with empathy to those experiences.
  All of us experience varying degrees of mental health. These are the normal ups and downs of life. Mental ill health is complicated and, like many physical conditions, the experience of it is unique to the individual.

- Remember, what you feel and think and how you want to proceed towards balancing, regaining or maintaining your mental health is very personal.

- No one approach or person will necessarily be sufficient to support recovery. You should seek a wide range of information and supports to assist you to negotiate your journey.
  The concept of recovery from mental ill health has been the subject of much discussion over the last fifteen years. It is a wide subject, and each individual has to find their own entry point, and plan or map their own journey.
  One central principle of the concept of recovery is that the person’s own unique experience is the starting point for all actions. It is, therefore, very important, as you look for information and educate yourself, that you acknowledge your own feelings and experiences, identify your own needs and try to match your exploration of the information to those. Listen to what other people have to say, listen to yourself and what you want.
  Then take action.

- Recovery is not passive; it takes work and courage.

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