Do we need to rethink how we think about mental health?

We often treat mental health and mental illness as opposites. If you are not mentally ill, you must be mentally well. If you are struggling, wellbeing must be low. Research suggests it is not that simple.

Wellbeing is not just the absence of illness

The dual-continua model of mental health proposes that mental illness and mental wellbeing are related but distinct.

This means:

• Someone can experience symptoms and still report aspects of wellbeing
• Someone without a diagnosis may still feel flat or disengaged

A person can experience symptoms of mental illness while still reporting aspects of positive wellbeing. Equally, someone without a diagnosed condition may feel flat, disengaged, or disconnected. Wellbeing matters in its own right.

A useful comparison with physical health

Consider how we think about physical health. Treating illness is not the same as promoting health, and managing disease is different from building strength, fitness, or vitality.

Mental health may work in a similar way. Reducing distress is essential. But cultivating wellbeing is a distinct and equally important process.

Why this matters

Seeing mental wellbeing as complementary to mental illness changes how we think about:

• Measurement
• Intervention design
• Prevention strategies
• Workplace wellbeing
• Policy and systems

It helps explain why many people who are “not unwell” still struggle to feel or function at their best.

A question worth asking

If mental wellbeing is not simply the absence of illness, then:

• Where do most people actually sit? And how often do we overlook those who are not in crisis, yet not flourishing?

Now, reflect on whether this perspective challenge how you think about mental health? Can you recall times when you felt mentally “okay” but not truly well? How might this model change the way we can support others?

Explore the full discussion

This article previews a deeper exploration originally shared on Be Well Know-How on Substack, our publication built for wellbeing professionals, people leaders, and practitioners.

• The dual-continua model
• National wellbeing data
• Practical implications
• Video insights from our research team